The Scott County Record

Jennie Erven and SCHS cheerleaders get the crowd fired up during Friday’s basketball action against Colby.

32 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 21 • Number 24

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

Death of 20-year-old is under KBI investigation

What next?

County wrestles with fate of former SCH, hear site proposals Instead of a drug and alcohol treatment facility, the former Scott County Hospital building may become the future site of a community wellness center.

Scott County Commissioner Jerry Buxton, who is a member of a Community Wellness Committee that has been researching the project, announced on Tuesday that the site of the old hospital is their No. 1 choice for a center. That came just hours ahead of a public meeting regarding City on a Hill’s hopes of establishing an extended stay treatment center for women.

Consensus of the commission is they would prefer having a wellness center at that location rather than the COAH facility.

“All three of us (commissioners) like the wellness center proposal better than the City on a Hill proposal,” Commission Chairman Jim Minnix informed COAH Director Chris Lund near the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting which was attended by nearly 20 people.

In offering some details about the wellness center, Buxton said it was a proposal that representatives from the city, county and school district have been working on for about six months.

The school district is looking at the prospect of moving more elementary classes into the administration building due to larger class sizes and lack of space at Scott City Elementary School. In order for that to happen, administrative staff would need to relocate and the former medical clinic is being considered as one possibility.

At the same time, the former hospital would be demolished and in its place a

The first priority for the neighborhood should be to find a use for (the former hospital). I like the City on a Hill proposal. It sounds fine.

Rex Grothusen wellness center would be erected that includes three practice gymnasiums and exercise areas. He said this location “makes the most sense.”

“The community would have free access to the center throughout the day,” says Buxton.

Estimated cost of the center is $2.5-$3 million which would be paid for by a onehalf percent increase in the city sales tax that would be put to voters in May. “If the sales tax doesn’t pass It’s something I then we won’t try have to considagain,” said Bux- er because it’s ton. “We will still 100 feet from have an empty my front door building.”

Buxton said the . . . when I ask committee had (people) if they been trying to work would like it to out a solution in cobe 100 feet from operation with the school district, but their door their the costs were esca- enthusiasm belating beyond what gins to wane. they wanted to get Everett Green involved with. He said a joint facility that would include a new high school gym would cost in the $11 million range.

Upon hearing of the wellness center proposal, Lund said he would go along with whatever the county decides.

“Our goal is to do what’s in the best interest of Scott City,” Lund said. “If

people feel a wellness center at this location is best for the city then that’s what we want.”

Even if the COAH facility doesn’t utilize the former hospital, Minnix said he remains a supporter of the proposal and would like to see it locate in Scott City.

State law enforcement officials are investigating the death of a 20-year-old Garden City woman, found dead in Scott City on Jan. 17.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reports that Sherree Kaye Smith, 20, was observed unresponsive by a passing motorist outside Cowboy Cabins, located in the 500 block of East Fifth Street in Scott City.

She was transported to the Scott County Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The KBI and the Scott City Police Department are investigating the case. The cause of death is unknown pending results of an autopsy.

Investigators are attempting to locate Smith’s vehicle which is described as a gold 1999 Ford Taurus with Kansas license plate 617 DOT. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Scott City Police Department at (620) 872-2133 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 296-8200.

Swimming pool is no money-maker

Make Use of Hospital Regardless of what direction the county decides to go, Rex Grothusen said something needs to be done with the former hospital.

“The first priority for the neighborhood should be to find a use for it,” said Grothusen. “I like the City on a Hill proposal. It sounds fine.”

It was noted by another nearby resident that the loss of the Heartland Foods grocery store, along with the hospital and Dollar General moving from the north part of town to the south, is having an impact on the “desirability of the neighborhood” and that will affect property values. It was felt that making use of the former hospital would help those values to stabilize.

On the other hand, Everett Green (211 College) expressed concerns about the safety of youngsters in the area and the impact a COAH facility will have on property values.

“When I first heard of (the proposal) I had concerns and preconceived ideas,” Green said. “We have a three-year-old

Despite having the third largest attendance since records have been kept in 1996, the Scott City swimming pool experienced its second largest net loss.

With overall expenses of $151,693 for 2013, the pool finished in the red by $129,061.

That was exceeded only by the $131,113 net operating loss in 2011.

It’s no coincidence that those are the two years in which the pool had its largest operating losses - easily exceeding 2012 when net losses were $91,040. In 2011 and 2013, the Scott City Council made major investments in improvements which accounted for the abnormal increase in expenses.

Construction of the zero-entry addition and the addition of other pool features in the shallow end saw 2011 expenses skyrocket to $154,584 in 2011 - nearly double the previous year’s $82,801.

(See HOSPITAL on page eight)

(See POOL on page two)

City to make another pitch for walking trail grant

With one phase of a comWalking Trail Info Meeting munity walking trail complete, Mon., Jan. 27 • 5:00 p.m. the City of Scott City and Scott Bryan Conference Center Community Foundation are Scott City hoping to begin making prog- There will be time for questions ress on the 9th Street section of and comment from the public the project.

The next, and largest, phase the south side of 9th Street from of the trail will include con- the football practice fields to struction of a sidewalk along Maddux Park. The proposal

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

Tootsie Roll sales give big boost to special ed services Page 9

also includes a 2,530 ft. hardsurface trail on the railroad right-of-way between 6th Street and Alice Avenue.

Cost of the improvements are pegged at $400,000 to $500,000 with 80 percent funding from a Kansas Department of Transportation grant if approved. The city’s share of about $80,000

to $100,000 will be paid for through grants already approved, city sales tax grant (if approved) and private donations already received.

“We already have some funding set aside,” says Scott Community Foundation Director Ryan Roberts.

The proposal calls for con-

struction of a five-foot sidewalk along the south side of 9th Street. There are 6-1/2 blocks along 9th Street, from Madison Avenue to Maddux Park, where sidewalks do not currently exist. In those sections, property owners will be asked to give up

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-5 Calendar • Page 7 Opinion poll • Page 7 LEC report • Page 10 Health • Pages 12-13

Deaths • Page 15 Sports • Pages 17-24 Business section • Page 25 Farm section • Pages 26-27 Classified ads • Pages 29-31

Beavers claim 3 medals in home invitational Page 17

(See TRAIL on page two)

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Trail

(continued from page one)

part of their lawn (which is located on city right-ofway).

There are some areas where that may not be possible.

The 500 block is one area where there is a lack of frontage property in front of an existing business. There are a couple of other areas along 9th Street where Roberts says “we will have to get creative” in an effort to build a sidewalk and deal with existing trees and other barriers.

Year 2007

2008

2009

2010

“We don’t want to put kids onto the street so we’ll find some creative way of still putting in a sidewalk and working around these obstacles,” Roberts says.

“We definitely want to work with the community and make sure no one is inconvenienced. But we also want a safe route for people to exercise and for kids to commute to and from school,” he adds.

A second phase of the project will include designating and painting bi-

portunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting can contact the Scott Community Foundation (872-3790) or email Alli Conine at alli@ scottcf.org.

Individuals who would like to submit a letter of support for the project to KDOT must do so

by Feb. 7. Letters can be addressed to KDOT and mailed to the Scott Community Foundation, 303 Court Street or emailed to alli@scottcf.org.

Year-End Scott City Swimming Pool Data Days Open

Admiss.

Fees

Total Income

Expenses

Net Loss

79

$ 8,243

$15,220

$ 61,612

$ 46,391

69

70

79

$ 9,055

$ 10,213

$ 11,093

$15,264

$17,694

106

120

$ 62,698

122

$24,796

$ 115,837

$ 91,040

134

$ 12,450

$23,471

2013

83

$ 11,901

$22,632

$ 13,518

$ 80,810

$ 59,635

93

$ 82,801

89 83

$ 96,074

$ 77,330

Avg. Daily Attend.

$20,102

2011 2012

cycle and pedestrian lanes along the entire length of 9th Street. These lanes will be located on both sides of the street.

“On street parking would not be affected by any of these additions,” emphasizes Roberts.

The Scott Community Walking Trail Committee will conduct an informational meeting on Mon., Jan. 27, 5:00 p.m., at the Bryan Conference Center.

The meeting will provide details about the project and the locations affected.

Residents will have an op-

Pool

$ 154,584 $ 151,693

$ 131,113 $ 129,051

117 126

(continued from page one)

In 2013, the city approved the addition of new water slides costing $110,000. An advance payment of $55,000 was included on the pool’s 2013 expense sheet with the remainder to be paid in 2014.

Pool admission fees have consistently topped $11,000 in each of the past four years, reaching a high of $13,518 in 2012. Admission fees of $11,901 during 2013 were the third highest on record.

Total income of $22,632 before expenses was also the third highest.

Pool management is bracing for a record-setting attendance once the four slides are in place this spring, prior to the summer season.

“We’ve already been attracting more and more people from surrounding towns, even Garden City, because they enjoy our pool,” says long-time manager Cheryl Kucharik.

“Once word gets out about the new slides I expect our attendance to jump even more,” she adds.

There were a num-

ber of days during this past summer when attendance topped 300 people.

Kucharik says they will need additional lifeguards to monitor the slides which will add to the pool’s overhead.

The pool was on pace to break last year’s average daily attendance mark of 134 until bad weather during early August saw a sharp drop in swimmers.

Even with the late season plunge, attendance still averaged 126 swimmers or a total of 10,624 from Memorial Day weekend until mid-August.

What’s for Lunch in Scott City?

Sun. - Sat., Jan. 26-Feb. 1

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 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Tues. • Open faced prime rib sandwich with fries, $10.95 Wed. • Chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes, $6.95 Thurs. • Smothered steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, $6.95 Fri. • Tijuana tostada, $6.95

What’s for Supper?

The Broiler

1211 Main • 872-3215

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

• Chili Cheese Dog • 1/4 lb Cheeseburger • 3 Piece Chicken Strips

Includes Fries, 21 oz. Drink and Small Sundae

102 Main St. • 872-5055 1304 S. Main • 872-5301

6

$

Mon. • Sat. 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sun. • 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Mon.• Chicken fry

49

Buffet

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

Tues.• Hamburger steak with mushrooms and onions Wed.• Fried chicken Thurs.• Mountain oysters Fri.• Seafood specials Sat. • Prime rib

Breakfast specials every night.

The Scott County Record

Community Living

Page 3 - Thursday, January 23, 2014

Don’t dismiss long-term health impact of radon Since January is National Radon Month, questions I often hear are what radon is, where it comes from, how does it affect me and how to get rid of it?

The Extension office has free radon kits for the first 24 people who stop by. After the free ones are gone they are $5 each.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see, smell or taste it.

But it may be a problem in your home.

Scott County has radon like every county in Kansas.

You probably have radon in your home. The question is whether it’s at a high enough level to be

a health concern.

Because radon can cause lung cancer, it is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. When you breathe air it more than likely contains radon. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

If you’re a smoker, your risk increases if your

home has a high radon level.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air we breathe. It can get into any type of building - homes, offices and schools.

You are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home where you spend most of your time.

Testing is the only way to know if you are at risk.

Testing is inexpensive and easy - taking only a few minutes of your time.

Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.

Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-

sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon gets into your home through cracks in solid cement floors and walls, construction joints, caps in suspended floors and around service pipes and cavities inside walls.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems but radon can enter the home through well water. Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. In Kansas, elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes as high as 260, but the average is 4.8 pCi/L. Since 1988, when the

first radon tests were conducted, there have been 84 tests sent in for Scott County - the last 33 since 2004. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot, but this is not a mandatory procedure and they only use the information that people randomly and voluntarily send in to be tested.

Of the 84 tests conducted, 56 were over the 4.0 pCi/L with an average of 5.6 pCi/L. The highest tested in Scott County at this time was 15.7pCi/L. Radon can be so tricky.

If your neighbor has an elevated radon problem that does not mean that your home will have a high reading. The only way to know is to test your home.

news briefs

Don’t miss the Lions Club Chili Cookoff Sun., Feb. 16 • Scott City

Retirement reception Wed.

A come-and-go retirement reception will be held for long-time Scott County Clerk Pam Faurot on Wed., Jan. 29, 3:00-5:00 p.m., on the first floor of the county courthouse.

Young Professionals to meet

A meeting of individuals in Scott City who are interested in organizing a Young Professionals group are encouraged to attend a networking meeting on Thurs., Jan. 30, 6:00-8:30 p.m., at the El Dos Bar, 1213 South Main.

Pancake supper is Wed.

The junior high United Methodist Youth Fellowship will be hosting a pancake supper at the First United Methodist Church, Scott City, on Wed., Jan. 29, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Cost is a free-will donation.

Dr. Josh Gooden and his staff at the Scott City Eye Center

Study Club has tour of SC Eye Center

On Jan. 16 the High Plains Study Club met at the spacious home of Scott City residents who are dog owners are reThelma Miller. minded that licenses must be renewed at the start Co-hostesses included of each year. the Social Committee of The fee, which is paid at City Hall, is $1 for Shirley Griffith, Joy Cole, neutered/spayed dogs and $3 for all others.

Dorothy Hutchins and CeOwners must also provide proof of a current lia Fouser. rabies vaccination.

Soup was served for the Owners of dogs which are considered “potenannual “Beans and Jeans” tially dangerous” must pay a $100 registration fee. luncheon. Centerpieces with an international flair decorated the tables.

Birth President Barbara Dickhut called the meetPARENTS OF DAUGHTER Jake and Kirsten Tien announce the birth of their ing to order with the reading of the club collect and daughter, Aleeah Mae Tien.

She was born on Oct. 31, 2013, at the Norton Coun- the flag salute. Twentyty Hospital, Norton. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz., and was 21-1/4 inches long.

Grandparents are Jan and Dian Tien, Prairie View; DeAnna James, Logan; and Kirk James, Scott City.

Great-grandparents are Clarence and Bette Tien, Prairie View; Raymond Grauerholz, Phillipsburg, and the late Cecilia Grauerholz; Denny and Donna Haley, Corning, Ia.; Virgil James, Villisca, Ia.; and Janice Rasmussen, Atlantic, Ia. Great-great-grandmother is Maxine Bashor, Lenox, Ia.

Must renew dog licenses

s

It Can be Fixed If you have a radon problem, it can be fixed.

Most radon reduction systems for your home do work and, depending upon your home and its construction, the cost isn’t unaffordable. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%.

Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. Installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive.

For more information call the Extension office (872-2930).

two members answered the roll call, “At what age did you start wearing glasses?”

A devotional on vision, inspired by Patsi Graham, conveyed the idea that looking isn’t the same as seeing.

Minutes of the December meeting were approved as read. A “thank you” note was received from City on a Hill for gifts the members donated.

Winner of the Lucky Dip was Gwen Huck. Ivadelle Cotton will bring a

gift for the next meeting’s drawing.

Officers approved for the upcoming year include: president, Marilyn Dryer; vice-president, Susie Gooden; treasurer, Betty LaToush; and secretary, Gwen Huck.

The next meeting will be Feb. 6 at the home of Donna Eitel.

The meeting was adjourned to the office of Dr. Joshua Gooden at the Scott City Eye Center.

Dr. Gooden gave the group a powerpoint presentation and a tour of his new office.

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, January 23, 2014

editorially speaking

Hospital’s fate:

Does wellness center or COAH make most sense?

After sitting vacant for the past 20 months, the former Scott County Hospital - or at least the location - is now a hot commodity.

For more than a year, City on a Hill has repeatedly expressed interest in the site.

Even while the county was going through a failed auction, looking at possible demolition and hoping that it might be feasible as an assisted living facility, COAH has always been in the background. Directors Chris and Tammy Lund have tried to assemble the funding pieces and demonstrate the feasibility of a proposed extended stay facility for women going through their drug/alcohol treatment program.

Granted, a couple of major funding pieces are still not in place. While a guaranteed USDA loan ($350,000 to $400,000) appears all but certain, county funding ($60,000) and a city sales tax grant ($50,000) haven’t been decided. If those three funding sources fall into place, Chris Lund says the project can move forward.

But wait, now the Wellness Center Committee wants the site - not the hospital, just the site. The committee’s proposal is for the school district to acquire the former clinic and for the hospital to be razed so three additional gymnasiums can be constructed.

Both are worthy projects which would benefit the community.

Timing, however, is a key component.

The fate of a wellness center hinges on Scott City voters approving a one-half percent increase in the sales tax which would provide approximately $325,000 in annual revenue. This would be necessary to retire the bond issue for construction and for operation/maintenance of the facility.

However, this election won’t be held until May. In the meantime, COAH remains in limbo.

If funding for the wellness center is approved by voters, then apparently no problem. The old hospital disappears and we get some needed gymnasium space.

But what if it doesn’t pass?

The city will have already handed out its sales tax grants, so COAH will have missed out on this opportunity. The state legislature will have already approved its budget and it won’t include funding for the proposed COAH treatment center. And the process for applying for a USDA loan will have been pushed down the road.

In other words it will be months - perhaps at least another year - before COAH could utilize the building. If those circumstances occur, that means the former hospital could end up sitting vacant for three years which means more deterioration, more potential for vandalism and more potential problems for the neighborhood.

Which poses a couple of questions: 1) Are we better off pursuing a COAH treatment center which could happen in the relative near future if the county and sales tax committee provide requested funding, or are we better off to wait and see if voters agree to a sales tax hike for the wellness center?

2) Is the former hospital block the best location for either proposal?

If Tuesday’s public meeting was any indication, there appears to be relatively minor opposition to the COAH proposal. Neighborhood safety and property values were the two biggest issues raised.

There is no reason to think that the safety of the surrounding neighbors, or their children, will be compromised by having a COAH residential facility instead of a hospital. No one can offer an absolute guarantee there would never be an incident at the site, but that’s true regardless of where one may live in town.

As for the risk of declining property values, can a treatment center harm those values any more than living across the street from a hospital?

The bigger issue raised at the end of Tuesday’s meeting, which would seemingly have an impact on both the safety of surrounding children and property values, is the added traffic and the landlocked nature of the site should the clinic be utilized as administration offices for the school district and three gyms be constructed.

“Where will people park?” asked one individual.

Great question. And here are a couple more.

Will the additional traffic that a wellness center is likely to generate create a different kind of safety issue for neighborhood children? And if one is faced with the prospect of being unable to park in front of their own home when events are held at the center does this improve property values?

We don’t see this as an either or situation - either COAH or a wellness center.

But if COAH doesn’t locate in the former hospital, then where? By utilizing an existing building their costs are greatly reduced and financial feasibility enhanced.

On the other hand, there are other options for a wellness center. The gyms and office space will be new construction. It comes down to property acquisition and for the estimated $100,000-plus it will cost to demolish the former hospital, one should be able to buy more than enough land for a center.

These are questions and issues that we, as taxpayers and voters, need to consider.

The speech that you didn’t hear

Last week, Kansans heard the State of the State from Gov. Sam Brownback. This is the speech they didn’t hear. * * * My fellow Kansans.

I am proud to say that Kansas is leading the nation into what I like to refer to as an American renaissance.

Exactly what does that mean?

It means that my Road Map for Kansas is taking our people back to a living standard that hasn’t been enjoyed since the 1500s.

It means less government in our lives which, coincidently, will be shorter lives because there will also be more poverty.

You can’t have everything and we’re doing our best to make certain of that in Kansas.

What’s important here is the bigger picture which means lots of people and large corporations are paying lower income taxes and, in some instances, no taxes. That’s going to create more jobs and more money for our state. It won’t happen right away.

In fact, I can’t say exactly

when it will happen.

But lower taxes always means greater prosperity . . . for someone.

Now there are some who will point out that because we’ve cut taxes so sharply our state bank balance will fall from $709 million now to $248 million in 2015 and it will be completely gone by 2017. No plan is perfect.

But if that’s what the socalled experts say will happen before we see the renaissance sweep across our state then we have no choice but to cut costs wherever and whenever possible.

That’s right, we need to do something about those costly, extravagant and wasteful programs such as the courts, public education, higher education, feeding children and helping the unemployed.

When God created Kansas . . . and, yes, Kansas is a direct creation of

God . . . He didn’t expect every freeloader within 1,000 miles to move here.

That’s why we’ve cut the Temporary Aid to Needy Families so that we’re serving only 24,000 people today instead of 39,000 when I took office.

That means 15,000 people are learning to get by with less money or they have left the state. Either way we, as taxpayers, are the winners.

We haven’t seen that kind of success everywhere.

Today, we have 315,000 Kansans who receive food stamps, which is up 21 percent from 2010.

Forty-eight percent of our school children qualify for free or reducedprice lunch programs.

And nearly 14 percent of Kansans - or 385,000 people - live below the federal poverty line of $23,000 in annual income for a family of four.

I’ve been asked, what will we do about that?

Well, it’s simple. We’re going to cut taxes. That’s what you do when you want to bring people out of poverty and cut state

spending for kids and adults who could work but refuse to.

And when the cuts go from painful to unbearable, that’s where God will step in. It’s up to our faith-based community to fill the gaps. Provide people jobs. Feed children. Help families with their heating bills. Make a mortgage payment. Fill the potholes in our streets and put out fires.

As for families who are struggling to put a child through college. The legislature cut $44 million in state funding for our colleges and universities because they know that a college student can earn a degree and learn life’s lessons at the same time when they’re holding down two jobs to pay for their tuition and still pay off a $100,000 loan when they graduate.

I made the pledge more than two years ago that I believe we need less state government in our lives and I’m proud to say that I’ve kept that promise. As the state has cut its financial commitment, we’ve (See SPEECH on page six)

Repeating mistakes of Benghazi

The bipartisan report on Benghazi released by the Senate intelligence committee should finally convince conspiracy theorists of the obvious: There is no there there.

Administration officials did not orchestrate any kind of attempt, politically motivated or otherwise, to deceive the American people. In their public statements, including the infamous talking points, they relied on what intelligence analysts told them.

What Obama didn’t know: The many controversies that the White House says the president was kept in the dark about.

In other words, if Susan Rice was wrong when she went on the Sunday talk shows and said that the attacks were the violent outgrowth of a spontaneous anti-American demonstration in Libya rather than a long-planned ter-

Where to Write

another view by Eugene Robinson

rorist assault, it was only because the intelligence community was wrong.

That said, the initial assessment given by Rice - then serving as ambassador to the United Nations, now as President Obama’s national security adviser - may turn out to have been correct. We don’t yet know.

Says the report: “The IC (Intelligence Community) continues to review the amount and nature of any preplanning that went into the attacks.”

Other preposterous claims about the Sept. 11, 2012, attack, in which four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, were killed, are also debunked in the Senate report. Most

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

spurious is the claim that the administration failed to launch a rescue attempt that might have saved lives.

“The Committee has reviewed the allegations that U.S. personnel . . . prevented the mounting of any military relief effort during the attacks, but the Committee has not found any of these allegations to be substantiated,” the report says.

Armchair warriors have argued that an aerial assault might have driven off the attackers, but Pentagon officials told the committee that there were simply no U.S. fighter jets in position to reach Benghazi in time.

All available military and CIA assets in Benghazi were mobilized, and they likely prevented additional deaths.

I am under no illusion that these findings

Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

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

will quiet the hard-core Benghazi conspiracy crowd. Nor will they stop some cynical Republicans from using the tragedy as a political weapon against Obama - or against Hillary Clinton, who was then secretary of state, if she makes another run for president.

But perhaps others, including thoughtful critics of the administration, can focus on what really happened. There are important lessons to learn.

First, and most elementary, is that it wasn’t anyone in the Obama administration who shares fault for the attacks in Benghazi. It was a bunch of radical Islamic militants, terrorists, extremists - call them whatever you want.

The killers who perpetrated the atrocity deserve the blame.

(See BENGHAZI on page six)

Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

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

Will Court again align against the have-nots?

The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

by Harold Meyerson

Among the causes most frequently cited for the dizzying rise in American inequality in recent decades - globalization, technology, de-unionization one culprit is generally left off the list: the Supreme Court.

But the justices (more precisely, the conservative justices) must be given their due.

In cases ranging from Buckley v. Valeo in 1976, to Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in 2010, they have greatly increased the wealthy’s sway over elections - which, in turn, has led to public policies that have reduced taxes on the rich, curtailed regulation of Wall Street and kept workers from forming unions.

On Tuesday, the justices were presented with a golden opportunity to further increase inequality. The court heard argu-

ments in Harris v. Quinn , a case testing whether home-care providers who work under a union contract with the state of Illinois can avoid paying dues that support the union’s collective-bargaining work.

Under the law, they already can decline to pay the share of dues that goes to the union’s political work.

Home-care workers are hired by aging or disabled individuals and their families, some of whom are eligible to have the expense picked up by Medicaid.

That arrangement means the home-care workers’ pay levels are set by the states - making both the state and the individual a worker’s employer of record.

Over the past two decades, an increasing number of states, acting as employers, have given home-care workers the right to vote on whether they wish to form a union.

Home care costs states onethird the amount they spend for comparable care in nursing homes or long-term-care facilities. The wages won by those workers’ unions ensure better care . . .

Home care costs states onethird the amount they spend for comparable care in nursing homes or long-term-care facilities. The wages won by those workers’ unions ensure better care, which is why disability advocacy groups such as the American Association of People With Disabilities have submitted amicus briefs in Harris supporting the union.

It’s no mystery why a majority of home-care workers in Illinois and many other states has voted to form unions. In 2012, the median hourly wage for direct-care workers hired out by agencies was $10.21.

Such workers covered by union contracts in Illinois are paid $13 an hour and get health insurance. In Washington state the unionized workers make $14.34; in Oregon, $13; in California, $12.20.

The eight workers who brought the lawsuit the court don’t want to pay dues to the union that won them their raises, though I’ve seen no reports suggesting they’ve volunteered to give back this additional money and forgo health insurance.

In the 1977 case, Abood v.

Detroit Board of Education, the court ruled that members of public-sector unions were required to pay the portion of union dues that went toward bargaining and administering their contracts.

Two years ago, however, an opinion by Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., joined by the court’s four other Republican appoin-

tees, suggested that the court should reconsider Abood.

The effects of such a reconsideration could be far-reaching.

If workers can benefit from contracts without paying even what it costs the unions to secure those contracts, those unions would suffer revenue declines that could render them toothless.

Once their unions lost power, home-care givers - a group that is overwhelmingly female, disproportionately minority and almost universally poor - would be highly unlikely to get any more raises. Turnover rates within the care-provider workforce would surely rise.

Such a reconsideration could be of even greater consequence if Alito & Co. go further and rule that no member of a public-employee union should be required to pay the dues that go to securing his or her contract.

(See HAVE-NOTS on page seven)

From Canada, a new gold standard

by Sam Pizzigati

Millionaire Congress vs the people

by Jim Hightower

The rich truly are different from you and me - they tend to become congress critters.

You don’t find many plumbers, mine workers, dirt farmers, Walmart associates, beauty parlor operators, taxi drivers or other “get-the-job-done” Americans among the 535 members of the U.S. House and Senate.

What you do find is an oversupply of lawmakers drawn from a very thin strata of America’s population: Millionaires.

The Center for Responsive Politics reports that last year - for the first time in history more than half of our senators and House members are in the Millionaires Club. Indeed, the average net worth (the value of

what they own minus what they owe) for all lawmakers now totals more than $7 million.

The world in which our “representatives” live is light years from where the majority of people live, and the divide between the governors and the governees is especially stark for the 40 percent of people whose net worth is zero (or, technically, less than zero, since their income and other assets are far exceeded by their debts).

This widening chasm is not just a matter of wealth, but most significantly a literal separation of the privileged few from the experiences, needs and aspirations of the many who’re struggling to make ends meet and worried that opportunities for their children to get ahead are no longer available to them.

The harsh reality is that most Americans are no longer represented in Washington. Chances are that their own members of Congress don’t know any struggling and worried people, share nothing in common with them, and can’t relate to their real-life needs, Thus, Congress is content to play ideological games with such basics as health care, minimum wage, joblessness, food stamps and Social Security.

America’s wealth divide has become a chasm, creating a looming social and political crisis for America that undermines any pretense that ours is a democratic society.

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

The 32,400 employees at Goldman Sachs averaged $383,374 each last year, the Wall Street banking giant has just disclosed.

Typical employees at Goldman, of course, didn’t take home anything near that $383,374.

Bank clerks nationally only average $24,100 a year. In 2012, Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein took home $26 million.

This means he’s making over 1,000 times that of the lowest paid Goldman Sachs employees.

Across our nation, CEOs are pulling down over 350 times average U.S. worker pay. This isn’t just happening here. Canadian CEOs took home 105 times average Canadian pay in 1998. They’re taking home 171 times today.

What can we do to reverse this trend toward ever-wider pay gaps? Toronto-based public policy analyst Peter MacLeod has one idea. We need, he says, to start “naming and normalizing” a more rational and equitable standard for who gets what.

We need, in effect, to start honoring enterprises that practice fair pay and stop rewarding - with our consumer and tax dollars - those enterprises that are making our societies more unequal.

Last summer, MacLeod founded a new international effort to put this standard in place.

His new initiative - Wagemark - has already begun certifying those enterprises that pay “competitive, responsible and sustainable wages.”

(In the mid-1900s) even the largest American corporations seldom had pay divides between top executives and workers that went wider than 30-to-1. And America prospered. With a relatively narrow corporate pay gap in place, a mass middle class, the world’s first and finest, took root.

To gain Wagemark certification, enterprises must pay their top earner no more than eight times the pay of their workforce’s lowest-paid 10 percent.

This 8-to-1 standard may seem hopelessly utopian in a world where corporations routinely pay executives hundreds of times what they pay workers. But at least 90 percent of all businesses, MacLeod tells me, are currently operating “in a 15to-1 or better universe.”

The “most conspicuously equitable” of these small- and medium-sized employers make up the initial core of Wagemarkcertified organizations. Some of them - like the Bellwoods Brewery - already enjoy widespread name recognition in Canada, and this spring Wagemark will be announcing many more.

Wagemark-certified companies, nonprofits and public agencies have all had an independent accountant confirm that their organization meets the Wagemark eight-times standard.

The word about Wagemark’s certification process is beginning to spread well beyond Canada’s borders. In Denmark, the nation’s largest newspaper gave Wagemark front-page coverage that sparked a week of national media dialogue about equity and pay.

(See STANDARD on page six)

The ACA question Republicans can’t answer West Virginia, like other states, is seeing a surge in signups for Obamacare.

The New York Times reports that some 75,000 people have now enrolled in Medicaid (which the Dem governor expanded), a level of demand that has “surprised officials.”

“Waitresses, fast food workers, security guards and cleaners described feeling intense relief that they are now protected from the punishing medical bills that have punched holes in their family budgets,” the Times says.

“They spoke in interviews of reclaiming the dignity they had lost over years of being turned away from doctors’ offices because they did not have insurance.”

Which raises a question: how would the GOP Senate can-

behind the headlines by Greg Sargent

didate in West Virginia, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, respond if asked directly if she would take insurance away from all these people?

Capito, of course, is a gungho supporter of Obamacare repeal. But she has hedged on the Medicaid expansion itself.

In December, she reportedly “declined to second-guess the decision” to expand Medicaid, asserting: “We are where we are now, and we have to figure out how to go forward.”

But repeal would presumably roll back the Medicaid expan-

sion, too. Does Capito support that?

Obamacare is, of course, deeply unpopular in red states, and embracing repeal, generally at least, may prove a winner here. Capito is favored. But with enrollment mounting, is there a point at which the question of what repeal would actually mean to all the people who have gained coverage becomes a hard one for Republicans to answer?

The Dem candidate for Senate, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, has criticized Obamacare, arguing that premiums are too high and choices too limited. She has not said whether she would have voted for it, claiming she’d have brought “more West Virginia values” to the debate over passage.

But Tennant does not support repeal, and she supports the Medicaid expansion. A Tennant campaign spokesperson said: “Natalie supports West Virginia’s decision to expand Medicaid so that West Virginia tax dollars don’t go to provide health coverage for people in other states.”

Tennant supports the expansion as fiscally responsible (which is easier than calling for the expansion of a government program for the poor). But Tennant has also stressed that as the mother of a child with a pre-existing condition, she “understands the anxiety associated with not having access to affordable health care.”

This is in keeping with how other red state Dems are handling the law. They are not

embracing Obamcare. But they oppose repeal, and they are standing behind the general goal of expanding coverage to those who can’t afford it.

This is true of Michelle Nunn in Georgia (where 57 percent support the Medicaid expansion) and Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky, who wants the law fixed and supports making coverage available to hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians, rather than throwing “the baby out with the bathwater.”

None of these Dems were in Congress to vote for Obamacare, so they are free not to embrace the law overall while supporting a part that’s providing more and more coverage and security to people who lacked it.

(See ANSWER on page six)

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Governor’s budget gambles on future revenue

Last week, Gov. Brownback delivered the State of the State message and declared that Kansas is open for business, citing both recent job growth and a decline in the unemployment rate.

During the speech he outlined several new initiatives that he is proposing. These include moving toward full funding of all-day kindergarten, additional funding for rural workforce housing initiatives and expanded commitment to technical education and training.

The day after the speech, Interim Budget Director Jon Hummell produced details on these

Legislative Update Rep. Don Hineman 118th District

items and others in the governor’s budget recommendations for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

Some of the highlights include: •$16 million to move kindergarten funding from 50% to 60% of fulltime equivalency.

•$7.5 million to restore funding to the Oil and Gas Depletion Trust Fund.

•$2 million to fund the Rural Workforce Housing grant program.

New Jersey mayors form support group

by Andy Borowitz

NEWARK (The Borowitz Report)—A support group for mayors bullied by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie held its first meeting today at the Prudential Center arena, in Newark.

Organizers of the gathering pronounced themselves pleased with the turnout, as bullied officeholders from all over the state filled the eighteenthousand-seat venue.

The support group was the brainchild of Carol Foyler, the bullied mayor of Sea Ridge, New Jersey.

“All of these mayors have their own painful stories to share,” Mayor Foyler said. “We wanted to give them a safe space to do that.”

The event was interrupted 15 minutes in, however, when power to the Prudential Center was abruptly cut off, plunging the arena into darkness.

A spokesman from Gov. Christie’s office said that the sudden power outage was part of a routine electricity study.

Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

Answer

(continued from page five)

As 2014 proceeds, will Republicans be pressed directly to account for the actual implications of their repeal stance? Republicans are supposedly going to offer their own alternative replacement for the law, but what would happen to those now benefitting from Obamacare?

As Brian Beutler puts it: What will Republicans propose to do about the X million people who will be newly insured by the end of March? They dedicated the entire final quarter of calendar year 2013 to effusing sympathy for people whose insurance policies were canceled because of Obamacare.

It would be incredibly conspicuous for them to introduce legislation that would then kick millions more people off of their plans, particularly given the unlikelihood that they intend to create a similarly generous parallel system.

But the only way to avoid that would be to include a grandfathering provision. Even if conservatives would agree to preserve something as monstrous as Obamacare, they know better than to make that promise.

When Mitch McConnell was recently asked by reporters what he has to say about those benefiting from the law in Kentucky, he was speechless. You’d think this question will be posed to more Republicans as the 2014 campaigning intensifies.

As enrollment continues to pile up, that question becomes more relevant - and perhaps more difficult with every passing day.

•Full funding of K-12 base state aid per pupil of $3,838 in FY 2014 and $3852 in FY 2015.

•$9.3 million for the Technical Education Initiative.

•Additional funding for the Department of Corrections in FY 2015.

At first glance this appears to be a frugal but reasonable budget and I appreciate Gov. Brownback’s initiative regarding these items.

However, upon closer examination, there is something ominous happening with the state’s finances.

If the governor’s recommendations were

adopted, the state would be spending $179 million more in FY 2014 than it is receiving in revenues.

In FY 2015 we would be spending $283 million more than we would take in. That is only possible because we started the current fiscal year with a carryover balance of $709 million.

A long-term strategy of spending more than we are taking in is obviously not sustainable.

I would argue that the proposed budget is not extravagant and does a reasonably good job of providing the essential governmental servic-

Speech successfully pushed more responsibility to the local level. That’s why property taxes are higher today than when I took office in 86 of the state’s 105 counties.

That’s smaller government you can believe in.

Decisions are best made when they are made at the local level and the same is true with spending.

Now some would argue that I’m not taking the issue of childhood poverty seriously enough, which is why the number of Kansas children living in pov-

erty has increased from 19 percent to 23 percent since 2010. In response, I offer one of my boldest policy initiatives which I will take to the legislature in this session.

Because I believe in the importance of marriage as the foundation for a solid economy, in creating responsible citizens and as a means of reducing poverty, I propose that we require all young people in Kansas to be married by the time they are 15.

During the first Renaissance they were con-

(See REVENUE on page 7)

sidered adults by that time. That was practically middle-age. If it was good enough in the 1500s, then why not today?

As I’ve stated before, I’m leading Kansas through a real live experiment in taxing and spending. Now, I’m not talking about the science kind of experiment because, as we all know, science isn’t real . . . it’s wild-eyed theories.

I’m talking about the kind of experiment that God would approve of.

This is an experiment in which the strong survive.

The rich get richer. And

the poor get by with less so they can learn to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps . . . or move to Missouri.

I’m proud to say we are building a new Kansas in which our dependence is not on Big Government but on a Big God that loves us and lives within us. By getting government out of our lives we’re creating the kind of Kansas where only the right kind of people will choose to live . . . or can afford to.

Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

(continued from page five)

row corporate pay gap in place, a mass middle class, the world’s first and finest, took root.

Our cultural pay paradigm - how we value workers and their work has almost totally changed since then. Pay differentials that would have seemed unconscionable only a few decades ago now are business as usual.

Reversing this inequality “is going to take pressure from a lot of different directions,” MacLeod stresses. The folks at Wagemark see their work

Benghazi

Second, it is not possible to plan for every contingency and thus prevent every attack. The United States has diplomatic and military facilities around the globe. Officials should do everything in their power to keep all of these installations safe, all the time.

The historical record - including the bombings Greg Sargent writes The Plum Line blog for the Washington of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, the U.S. Post embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the USS Cole in Yemen - suggests that the goal of perfect security will not be achieved.

Third, it is always obvious in hindsight that officials could have done

is proposing that we draw down ending balances while we wait for the expected economic growth to kick in.

But what does the future hold for Kansas if it doesn’t happen?

The theory that cutting taxes can grow a state’s economy and at the same time actually create larger state revenues is not universally accepted by economists. In fact there is growing evidence that the theory is flawed. And either way, we really won’t have an answer to that question for a few more years.

(continued from page four)

Standard Scandinavians, Peter MacLeod would learn from this discussion, “don’t find the 8-to-1 ratio particularly radical.” And Americans back in the middle of the 20th century, he adds, wouldn’t have considered an eight-times standard all that radical either.

Back then, even the largest American corporations seldom had pay divides between top executives and workers that went wider than 30-to-1.

And America prospered.

With a relatively nar-

es that Kansas citizens deserve and expect. The problem is that state revenues are down significantly following the substantial income tax cuts that were adopted in 2012.

When that law was passed we were told that cutting income taxes would stimulate the economy, grow jobs and eventually lead to additional state revenues, primarily through the state sales tax.

But even if that theory is correct, it will take several years before the stimulus effect leads to a larger state economy and restoration of lost revenues.

In recognition of that reality, Gov. Brownback

as a complement to campaigns for minimum and living wages and the drive to make tax systems more progressive, he says.

The Wagemark team has no illusions about Fortune 500 companies getting in line anytime soon to apply for its 8-to-1 ratio certification. But they do see Wagemark really helping to turn up the heat on corporations that continue to brazenly manufacture inequality.

Wagemark hopes to work with city officials, for instance, on incorpo-

rating pay ratios into the government procurement process, by giving firms that meet the Wagemark pay ratio standard a leg up in the contract bidding process.

“We’re really excited about starting small at the municipal level and then expanding,” MacLeod says. “Check back with us in five years.”

Sam Pizzigati is an Institute for Policy Studies associate fellow and a co-author of the new report ‘Fix the Debt’ CEOs Enjoy TaxpayerSubsidized Pay.”

(continued from page four)

more to anticipate or prevent an attack. This is certainly true of Benghazi, and the administration should be held accountable for making sure the appropriate lessons are learned and implemented.

According to the report, it had been clear for months that the security situation in Benghazi was deteriorating. A bomb had been detonated at the main gate of the U.S. mission, causing some damage. Assailants had fired rocket-propelled grenades at the British ambassador’s convoy. U.N. and Red Cross personnel had come under attack.

Stevens, the ambassador to Libya, informed

the State Department of the worsening conditions.

In July, he asked for an additional 13 security personnel to protect his staff in Tripoli and Benghazi; the report says there is no indication that officials in Washington ever responded to this cable.

A month later, however, Stevens twice turned down an offer by the Defense Department to extend the presence of a 16-member military team that had already been providing extra security.

According to the report, the State Department appeared not to realize the seriousness of the situation - or even to know which

branch of the bureaucracy was supposed to respond.

This is the true scandal of Benghazi: A lesson from a prior attack was long ignored.

The Senate report says there should be an undersecretary of state , with real clout, whose responsibility is to ensure that vulnerable posts such as Benghazi have adequate security. This was also recommended by a review panel following the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania which happened in 1998.

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

Finding a solution for the LPC

by Rep. Don Hineman

The Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) is a beautiful bird and a species native to Western Kansas.

It is a part of our natural heritage.

Its range also extends over parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.

Its population numbers have reportedly been declining in recent years and this has caught the attention of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

They are currently in the process of determining whether it might be appropriate for the LPC to be listed as an endangered species.

That would be unfortunate and would cause significant hardship on the Western Kansas economy, including large portions of the 118th District.

Kansas Wildlife and Parks personnel, in concert with representatives from the other states, have developed a plan to hopefully enhance LPC habitat and populations. Their intention is to head off an endangered species listing by the federal government.

Unfortunately, the plan that they are proposing also imposes very significant cost for new economic activities in the affected areas. The effect would essentially be a tax on economic growth in Western Kansas!

It may be, however, that this is the lesser of two evils. I hope KWP personnel can continue working to minimize the negative impacts.

There are multiple reasons for the decline in LPC numbers. One of the short-term causes has been drought, which has

Have-Nots With the decline of private-sector unions, public-employee unions have become the preeminent organizers of voter mobilization campaigns in working-class and minority communities, the leading advocates of immigration reform, the foremost lobby for raising the

Revenue

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

(continued from page six)

In the meantime, we draw down our reserves and wait.

People on both sides of the controversy are nervously watching every economic datapoint and milestone to get a hint of whether the tax cut will, in fact, produce the intended economic growth and whether that growth will adequately restore the revenues lost by the tax cut.

I must admit to being nervous. I hope it works, but I remain a skeptic.

The final verdict is several years in the future, but if we eventually conclude that it was a failed experiment, then some very, very difficult decisions await future Kansas legislatures and governors.

Rep. Don Hineman can be reached at Room 50A, State Capitol Building, 300 SW 10th Street, Topeka, Ks. 66612; phone: 785-296-7636; e-mail: don.hineman@house.ks.gov

had a huge effect on the populations of all upland game bird species.

But the other problem, and one the plan is intended to address, is habitat destruction. It seems the

LPC is rather particular about the type of habitat it calls home.

Perhaps what we need is a genetically-modified Lesser Prairie Chicken that isn’t quite so picky.

What do you think?

Do you think homeowners and others who have large lots in Scott City should be allowed to purchase an additional water meter in order to reduce the likelihood of pumping in excess of 60,000 or 80,000 gallons of water per month and avoid paying the city’s higher rates?

Yes

16 ______

No

40 ______

Submit this form and your comments to The Record office, or log onto the website: scottcountyrecord.com Keep comments brief so they can be published in the newspaper. The numbers represent totals as of noon Thursday. For updated totals visit The Record website.

Water Rates I had two water meters for my property until a few years ago when the city took out one of the meters without any notice. They said it was to conserve water.

I have a large garden area, so the second meter held down my costs. If the city is going to start allowing people with large lots to have a second meter then I’d like to have my second meter back as well. * * * They made the choice of building larger homes on large lots. I live in a middle size home. I water my front yard only. I recycle everything and have one-half bag of trash a week. I do not expect to pay less for trash service than my neighbors.

Additional comments: __________________________

____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

(continued from page five)

minimum wage and the all-around linchpin of the modern Democratic Party.

A sweeping, party-line ruling by the five conservative justices in Harris could significantly damage the Democrats.

Whatever its effect on the nation’s partisan balance, a ruling that neu-

____________________________________________

ters the organizations that poor, working women have joined to win a few dollars an hour more would put a judicial seal of approval on the United States’ towering economic inequality.

Well into the New Deal, the Supreme Court consistently overturned laws that

enabled workers to win higher wages, helping to delay the advent of the middle-class majority that emerged after World War II. It now has the option to speed that demise.

Harold Meyerson is a political and domestic affairs columnist for the Washington Post

Hospital daughter and we have concerns for her safety and of the neighborhood.”

Green said that while Chris and Tammy Lund maintain good security at their facility and have control over who enters and leaves “they can’t control who comes to visit.”

“It’s something I have to consider because it’s 100 feet from my front door,” he said.

Green said that he’s had people question his opposition to COAH and who point out there have been no problems at its Marienthal site.

“They say ‘It has to be somewhere,’ but when I ask them if they would like it to be 100 feet from their door their enthusiasm begins to wane,” Green adds.

The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

(continued from page one)

Lund pointed out that “those people” who some people worry about at a treatment center can be teachers, doctors and people they know in everyday life.

“These aren’t bad people who are doing terrible things in their communities. They’re people who have an addiction and want to do something about it,” Lund says.

“We didn’t create an empty hospital. We’re just trying to do something about it,” he emphasized.

“If what we’re proposing got the wellness committee to be a little more aggressive and come up with their plan, then we did a good thing.”

Sharon Fry couldn’t understand why there was interest in paying $100,000 to demolish the

old hospital when someone is wanting to make use of the building.

“Why couldn’t the wellness center be located elsewhere? Why not develop a different site?” she wondered.

Lend a Helping Hand “We have the potential in our community to help other people. Do we want to be known as a community that refuses to help others?” asked Kari Talbert.

Objecting to the location of the treatment facility doesn’t mean they are opposed to helping others, replied Barbara Herron.

“Is this the right place?” she asked. “I’m not sure that putting it in the middle of a residential area is the answer.”

Herron expressed sup-

port for the wellness center.

In the short time that he has seen women getting treatment at COAH, Harry LaToush said the results have been impressive.

“I’ve seen these ladies when they first come and when they leave. They aren’t the same ladies,” he said.

Regardless of what decision the county makes, LaToush said something needs to be done with the building - either have it put to use or demolish it.

LaToush says he has seen activity occurring around the building and people hanging around the site “and it’s not good.”

Shawn Powelson (301 College) said the people who will be living at the treatment center aren’t the

problem.

“We have an eyesore in our neighborhood and we’re feeling abandoned by the outmigration (of businesses),” he said.

“Something needs to be done.”

He also questioned whether there will be enough parking in the area to satisfy a wellness center without being a nuisance to nearby residents. Buxton felt there would be.

Powelson asked Minnix what will be the county’s next step and the commissioner said they supported the wellness center proposal. Minnix said one drawback with the COAH plan was its reliance on funding from several different entities in order to happen.

Lund said that the USDA loan is all but ap-

proved, pending approval of the project, and that if the county and city provide the requested funding “this can happen.”

COAH is requesting about $680,000 in funding from different sources, with most of that one-time costs for renovation and furnishings. Once in operation, Lund says the facility will be largely selfsustaining. If COAH were to build a new facility for an extended care center he estimated the cost at $1.2$1.5 million.

The decision rests with the commission, Lund said.

“If the county gives its okay we’ll be ready to act,” he noted.

Lund will meet again with the commission about the COAH proposal on March 4.

Amputee veteran is cycling cross-country; in Scott City Tuesday Rob Jones is a decorated Marine who lost both his legs above the knee to an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan in 2010.

After being honorably discharged in 2011 and receiving a Purple Heart award, Jones went through extensive rehabilitation. He learned to row and earned a bronze medal competing in mixed doubles skull at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Using his prosthetic legs, he has also competed in half marathons and triathlons.

Jones, Lovettesville, Va., is now in the midst of a 5,400-mile cross-country cycling trek to raise awareness and money for veterans’ charities that helped him during his recovery period (including The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Semper Fi, and Ride2Recovery).

He will be cycling through Scott City on Tues., Jan. 28. Preliminary plans are to stay in Scott City on Tuesday night and depart the following morning.

Hoping to raise $1 million, Jones pedals an average of 30 miles a day on his self-funded journey that began in October in Bar Harbor, Maine, and is expected to end sometime between February and April in San Diego, Calif.

There are three charities that Jones is collecting for, all of which helped him recover, learn to walk, row, ride a bike and survive. They are: Semper Fi Fund. A non-profit organization that provides financial relief to injured or severely ill post 9/11 Marine Corps and Navy service members and their families during hospitalization, recovery and afterwards. They provide family support, specialized adaptive equipment, adaptive housing and transportation, education and career transition assistance, PTSD and TBI support, and physical rehabilitation through sport via Team Semper Fi. Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes. A nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to all injured service members and their families from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They provide part-time work for veterans and their caregivers, and online education and training.

Ride2Recovery. This is produced by the Fitness Challenge Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation programs for wounded service members via the sport of cycling, whether it be on an upright cycle, a recumbent, or a hand cycle.

The Ride 2 Recovery program raises money to support spinning recovery labs, and outdoor cycling programs located at military and VA hospitals.

Donations can be made through Jones’ website, http://www.robjonesjourney.com

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The Scott County Record

Youth/Education

Page 9 - Thursday, January 23, 2014

Math Academy begins Western Kansas tour

Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Jason Baker (center) and organization treasurer Melvin Lickteig (to his right) present a check for $3,839.60 to Laura Meireis and the special education staff in USD 466. Staff members include Kim Roberts, SCES inter-related teacher; Stephanie Gomez, SCMS inter-related teacher; Dana Pfanenstiel, pre-school handicap teacher; Meireis, inter-related teacher; Dustin Hughes, SCHS inter-related teacher; Amy Ricker, SCES inter-related teacher; Jerrie Brooks, SCHS inter-related teacher; and Heather Holstein, SCMS inter-related teacher.

(Record Photo)

Tootsie Roll drive raises $3,839 for special ed services in district

Special education services in USD 466 (Scott County) and the state Special Olympics have been presented with more than $6,200 in donations from the local Knights of Columbus Council No. 5212.

The donations were raised from the annual Tootsie Roll fund drive held in the fall.

The USD 466 special education program received a record-setting $3,839.60, with another

$1,000 earmarked for the southwest area Special Olympics organization.

The Knights also donated $300 to the Dodge City REACH program which sponsors special needs children who attend Camp Christy near Lake Scott State Park during the summer.

More than $1,200 was donated to the Kansas Special Olympics to support athletics at the state level.

Donations are based on the Knight’s “Commitment to Humanity” campaign. The majority of the council’s fundraising proceeds remain in the local area.

The donation to USD 466 benefits the Early Childhood Development program in addition to students in each of the district’s attendance centers. There are about eight classroom teachers who share in the contributions.

The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science staff will begin their 2014 informational and recruitment tours of Kansas with eight trips in January, February and March.

Students who complete KAMS receive a high school diploma from their high school and also receive a minimum of 68 hours of college credit from Ft. Hays State University. Tuition, fees and books for 68 credit hours at KAMS are free for students attending a Kansas public high school.

Area stop include: 6:00 p.m., FHSU’s

Stouffer Lounge, Memorial Union.

6:00 p.m. Pioneer Memorial Library, Colby, 519 N. Kansas 6:00 p.m., Dodge City Public Library, 1001 N. Second Avenue.

The sessions are free.

Students who are beginning the seventh grade through sophomore year in high school can attend.

Space is limited.

Parents can RSVP by calling 785-628-4690.

Students and their parents can also schedule individual visits by contacting the office at 785628-4690.

The southwest area Special Olympics program uses the donation to help youth who participate in basketball, track and other activities. Area Olympians will compete in the annual district basketball tournament to be held in Scott City in February.

They also have the opportunity to compete in the state track meet held at Wichita in June.

Schumacher on Southwestern fall honor roll

4-Hers with the snowmen table centerpieces they made for Park Lane.

New Horizons make snowmen for Park Lane

The members of the New Horizons 4-H club kicked off the New Year by having their monthly meeting on January 6 at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Building.

President Trace Mulligan reported that next month will be Regional 4-H Day in Scott City. Our

club will be participating as a group.

Members of the club voted to sign up to have a display of our projects at the Scott County Library and committee chair Anna Miller will schedule the month for the club. Kylee Logan gave a project talk over her new show horse “Abe”. Karlee Logan

gave a project talk over her quilting project and showed the club a sneak peak of her quilt for the fair.

For recreation the club had “snow” much fun making snowmen table decorations for the Park Lane nursing home residents.

Kylee Logan, reporter

Lindsay Schumacher, Leoti, was named to the fall semester Dean’s Honor Roll at Southwestern College, Winfield.

Full-time students must maintain at least a 3.7 grade point average to make the Dean’s list.

School Calendar Fri., Jan. 24: SCHS basketball teams in Orange and Black Classic; Anti-Bullying/Sexting Awareness speaker Allyson Pereira.

Sat., Jan. 25: SCHS wrestling at Lexington; SCHS basketball at Orange and Black Classic.

Tues., Jan. 28: SCMS 7th grade basketball vs Goodland (T), 4:00 p.m.; 8th grade basketball vs Goodland (H), 4:00 p.m.; SCMS quiz bowl at Hays-TMP; SCHS basketball vs Lakin (H), 4:45 p.m.; SCES Site Council meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Thurs., Jan. 30: SCMS 7th grade boys vs Ulysses (H), 4:00 p.m.; SCMS 8th grade boys vs Ulysses (T), 4:00 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 31: SCHS wrestling in Rocky Welton Tournament at Garden City; SCHS basketball vs Liberal (T), 4:45 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 1: SCHS wrestling in Rocky Welton Tournament; SCHS forensics at Liberal; SCMS 7th/8th grade boys at Hays tournament, 9:00 a.m.; SCHS JV wrestling at Larned, 9:00 a.m.; SCHS JV boys/girls at Lakin tournament, 10:00 a.m.

Mon., Feb. 3: SCMS 7th grade vs Ulysses (H), 4:00 p.m.; SCMS 8th grade vs Ulysses (T), 4:00 p.m.; SCHS JV boys/ girls at Lakin tournament, 5:00 p.m.

WARDCRAFT Home Buying Symposium: RSVP for $1 off per sq ft, attend for another $1 off & free cabinet upgrade Pella, Moen, 2x6 construction, Spider Fiber blown insulation & 18 cabinet choices STANDARD E-mail: mschneider@wardcraft.com

Saturday Scott City: 3-5pm Best Western NEW: Inventory show home will be across the street from this event.

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For the Record Reduce the risk of fraud with your tax return The Scott County Record

Jason Alderman

Many people file their income tax returns as early in the year as possible. Some are eager to claim their tax refund right away, while others are simply following their New Year’s resolution not to procrastinate until midnight, April 15.

Here’s another good reason to file your taxes right away: tax refund identity fraud.

That’s where someone uses your Social Security

The Scott County Record Page 10 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

number (SSN), birth date and other private information to file a fraudulent income tax return in your name and then pockets the resulting tax refund.

Often, a victim’s first clue is a letter from the IRS contesting their legitimate tax return, saying one has already been processed under that name.

It can take months - and mounds of paperwork – to unravel the mess.

This scam has proliferated in recent years thanks to a confluence of events:

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record on Thurs., Jan. 23, 2014; last published Thurs., Jan. 30, 2014)2t REQUEST FOR VARIANCE Notice is hereby given that the Scott City Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on February 13, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., at the Scott City Council Meeting Room at City Hall, 221 West 5th Street, Scott City, Kansas, to consider the following agenda items: Application for variance by Artura Ayala to allow a front yard fence taller and nearer the street than allowed by ordinance and construction of an assessory building taller than the residence on: Lots Eight thru Twelve (8-12) and Twenty-four thru Thirty (24-30) in Block Nine (9), Hall’s 1st Addition to the City of Scott City. (310 N. College Street and 306 E. Belleview Street) All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at such hearing.

Dated: January 20, 2014 Rodney Hogg, chairman Scott City Planning Commission

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record on Thurs., Jan. 16, 2014; last published Thurs., Jan. 30, 2014)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LOTTIE E. FARR, Deceased, No. 14-PR-1 NOTICE OF HEARING THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are notified that on January 13, 2014, a Petition was filed in the Court by Marvin J. Farr, an heir, devisee, legatee, spouse and named fiduciary in the Last Will and Testament of Lottie E. Farr, deceased, dated October 9, 2012, requesting Informal Administration and

to Admit the Will to Probate.

You are required to file your written defenses to the Petition on or before February 12, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in this Court, in the City of Scott City, in Scott County, Kansas, at which time and place the cause will be heard. Should you fail to file your written defenses, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition.

MARVIN J. FARR Petitioner JAKE W. BROOKS ATTORNEY AT LAW 101 E. 6th P.O. Box 664 Scott City, Kansas 67871 620-872-7167 Attorney for Petitioner

There’s a thriving black market in personal information stolen from healthcare facilities, nursing homes, schools, insurance companies and other institutions that require an SSN as identification.

The IRS is pressured to begin issuing refunds shortly after taxpayers start filing returns in mid-January, even though employers and financial institutions aren’t required to submit withholding and income documentation until the end of March.

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department Jan. 13: Justin Dean was arrested for criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, violation of a protection order, possession of a stimulant, use/possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia and criminal threat. He was transported to the LEC. Jan. 16: James Hickert was arrested on an out-ofcounty warrant and transported to the LEC. Jan. 16: A report was taken of criminal damage to property in the 200 block of East 2nd Street.

Jan. 21: Marilyn Kendrick was backing out when she struck a trailer in the 500 block of South Main.

Jan. 21: Jon Romero was arrested for driving while license was revoked and transported to the LEC. Jan. 21: Chance Seamans was arrested for an outof-county warrant and transported to the LEC. Scott Co. Sheriff’s Dept.

Jan. 12: Greg Cox was northbound on US83 Highway when he signaled he was turning west on Road 210 and was struck from behind.

Jan. 17: Shawn Sheldon was served a Scott County warrant while in jail.

Jan. 21: Dustin Diehl was arrested for probation violation and transported to the LEC.

Public Notice (Published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Jan. 23, 2014)1t ORDINANCE NO. 1149 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE BOUNDARIES OF A ZONING DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE CITY CODE, ORDINANCE NO. 1011, TITLE 10, CHAPTER 3.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS, SECTION I: The boundaries of the District Zoning Map, as amended or changed, is further amended and changed insofar as it relates to the following described property, to wit: A tract of approximately 5 acres square, located within the Southeast (SE)

Quarter of Section Seventeen (17), Township Eighteen (18) South, Range Thirty-two (32) West of the 6th PM, North of the railroad along Navaho Road.

By changing the classification of said property from Ag Agricultural District to I-1 General Industrial District.

SECTION 2: This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage and publication in the official city paper.

Passed by the Council this 2nd day of December, 2013.

City of Scott City, Kansas Dan Goodman, mayor ATTEST: Brenda Davis, MMC City Clerk

Thus, disparities often aren’t caught until months later.

The growing popularity of electronic filing, where hard-copy documentation (like W-2 and 1099 forms) isn’t required.

Many people receive refunds via direct deposit and prepaid debit cards.

Criminals open and close accounts using bogus addresses long before the theft has been detected.

Thanks to severe budget cuts and chronic understaffing - not to

County Plat Maps By

Western Cartographers Available:

Scott Ness Gove Lane Logan Finney Wichita Wallace Greeley Kearney

Pick them up today at:

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

mention constantly playing whack-a-mole with thieves who dream up new schemes - the IRS is hardpressed to keep up. In one extreme example, the agency issued more than $3.3 million in refunds for 2,137 tax returns filed to a single address.

But all is not lost.

The IRS has significantly beefed up its fraud-prevention efforts.

In 2011, they intercepted nearly 262,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking almost $1.5 billion in refunds

related to identity theft.

And they now issue special personal identification numbers (PINs) to impacted taxpayers to protect their future tax filings.

What should you do if you’ve been victimized?

Typically, the IRS will send you a notice that: •More than one tax return for you was filed; •You have a balance due, refund offset or have had collection actions taken against you for a (See RETURN on page 11)

The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Return

(continued from page 10)

year in which you didn’t file a return; or •IRS records indicate you received wages from an employer you don’t recognize. This could indicate that someone has used your personal information to get a job.

If you receive such a notice, don’t ignore it.

Complete an Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039 at www.irs.gov) and return it with a copy of the notice to the address provided on the notice. If you did not receive a notice but believe you may be at risk, the form contains separate instructions.

The IRS’s Identity Theft Protection website (www. irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection) includes helpful information, including ways to tell whether your identity may have been stolen, how to report a breach and tips to avoid identity theft.

On-line tax filing now available through WebFile

Kansas taxpayers who need to file only a Kansas Individual Income Tax can now do so on-line.

The on-line filing is only effective for those using the state’s free on-line application KS WebFile found at www.kansas.gov/webfile and not a third party vendor The federal government is currently scheduled to begin accepting returns Friday, Jan. 31.

The deadline for filing taxes this year is Tuesday, April 15.

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Jan. 23, 2014; last published Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JERALD A. DOORNBOS, deceased Case No. 2014-PR-02 NOTICE TO CREDITORS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are hereby notified that on January 16, 2014, a Petition for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary was filed in this court by Stuart A. Doornbos, an heir, devisee, legatee, and

Executor named in the Last Will and Testament of Jerald A. Doornbos, deceased.

All creditors of the above named decedent are notified to exhibit their demands against the Estate within four months from the date of the first publication of this notice, as provided by law, and if their demands are not thus exhibited, they shall be forever barred.

Stuart A. Doornbos WALLACE, BRANTLEY & SHIRLEY 325 Main - P.O. Box 605 Scott City, Kansas 67871 Attorney for Petitioner

AG Schmidt: tax ID theft on the rise

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan reminded Kansans to be mindful of attempts to steal personal information during tax filing season.

Tax identity theft typically involves another person filing a false tax return using someone else’s Social Security Number. When that taxpayer later files his or her return, it could be rejected because records indicate he or she has already received a refund.

Earlier this month, the IRS reported that during the 2013 federal fiscal year it initiated nearly 1,500 criminal investigations of tax-related identity theft. From 2011 to

2013, the IRS reported stopping 14.6 million suspicious returns.

“Identity theft is a growing problem in Kansas and nationwide,” Schmidt said. “Our office has expanded our ability go after those who steal personal information and to educate consumers on ways to prevent identity theft.”

Jordan said his office is taking steps to prevent tax fraud.

“Tax fraud is a monetary and emotional burden for Kansans that we work hard to prevent,” said Jordan. “We’ve set up our system to make tax fraud difficult and are constantly adapting to prevent new schemes.”

Schmidt and Jordan

offered the following tips to help consumers avoid identity theft: Only disclose Social Security Numbers when absolutely necessary, such as filing taxes or applying for a loan. Be wary of websites or retailers that request this information.

Keep personal financial documents and past years’ tax returns in a secure location, such as a locked filing cabinet or a fire safe box.

Protect personal computer files by installing firewalls and anti-spam/ virus software. Protect online accounts using strong passwords and PIN numbers.

Monitor credit reports for unauthorized or suspicious activity.

The Scott County Record • Page 12 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Major staff cuts ahead for state hospitals Mike Shields KHI News Service

A consulting company has completed its review of the state hospitals for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled and Kansas officials are now moving forward with some of the resulting rec-

ommendations, including reducing the number of employees at Larned State Hospital and Kansas Neurological Institute in Topeka.

Shawn Sullivan, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the agency that oversees

the hospitals, said no layoffs would be required to complete the agency’s follow-up plan but that the equivalent of about 35 full-time jobs at KNI and 22 at Larned would be eliminated over the next two years as workers retire, resign or otherwise leave.

Sullivan said he intended to use the more than $3 million in expected savings over the next two years to cover recent pay raises given to some hospital workers, to offset anticipated cuts in federal aid for the facilities, hire more psychiatrists at Larned, and to help move

Hospitals: not expanding Medicaid hurts bottom line Jim McLean KHI News Service

For Jodi Schmidt and other hospital administrators across Kansas, Medicaid expansion is a critical business issue not a political one.

Schmidt is chief executive of Labette Health, a 99-bed regional medical center that serves Parsons and several surrounding communities in southeast Kansas. She said the money being lost because of the decision by Gov. Sam Brownback and legislators to not participate in the first year of expansion could mean the difference between the hospi-

tal finishing the year in the black or with a deficit.

“Whatever your politics, the reality on the ground for hospitals is that Medicaid expansion is critically important for us,” Schmidt said.

Expansion could provide coverage to an estimated 85,000 Kansans who make too much to qualify for the state’s existing Medicaid program - called KanCare - but too little to be eligible for federal tax credits to help them purchase private coverage on the Healthcare.gov exchange.

A study done last year for the Kansas Hospital Association estimated

that expanding eligibility to the level called for in the Affordable Care Act would increase federal Medicaid spending in the state by $3 billion between this year and 2020.

The federal government has pledged to pay the full cost of covering the expansion population for three years and no less than 90 percent thereafter.

Expansion would provide Labette Health and other hospitals in the association’s southeast district an additional $2.7 million a year to share.

The money is needed, Schmidt said, to partially offset anticipated Medicare cuts and loom-

ing reductions in federal payments that help hospitals offset the cost of caring for the uninsured.

“We could be seeing an additional $1.7 or $1.8 million in reduced reimbursement next year,” Schmidt said. “And so this lack of Medicaid expansion is just one more hit and there is only so much individual hospitals can bear.”

Forty miles up U.S. Highway 59 from Parsons the story is much the same in Chanute. There, Dennis Franks, the CEO of the 25-bed Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, said the hospital needs the (See HOSPITALS on page 13)

Higher financial, health toll linked to tobacco in latest report

A new report from the surgeon general finds that smoking causes even more physical and financial damage than previously estimated.

Among the highlights in the report, which was released 50 years after the first report tied cigarettes to lung cancer: Cigarettes play a part in causing 10 more diseases than previously thought, including diabetes, liver cancer and colorectal cancer, bringing the total to more than 30.

480,000 Americans die each year from these disease - up from the previous estimate of 443,000.

Smoking leads to $289 billion in medical bills and lost productivity nearly $100 billion more than previously reported.

This includes as much as $176 billion for direct medical care of adults, $151 billion for lost pro-

Tobacco kills more Kansans than illegal drugs, homicide, suicide, car crashes and AIDS combined. Treating diseases caused by smoking is one reason our Medicaid and other health care costs are out of control. Reducing smoking will save lives and money in Kansas. Kansans need to support efforts that prevent kids from starting and help adult smokers who want to quit.

Jeff Willett Kansas Health Foundation

ductivity due to premature death and $5.6 billion for lost productivity due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Today’s cigarette smokers face a much higher risk of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than smokers did 50 years ago, despite smoking fewer cigarettes. The report points to changes in the design and composition of cigarettes as the only reasonable explanation for the increased risk of lung cancer.

Without action to reduce smoking, 5.6 million children under age 18

alive today will die prematurely from smokingcaused disease.

“The battle is not over,” said acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak.

“The problem isn’t solved.

We still have 18 percent of our adult population smoking. And 5.6 million kids who are alive today will die early unless we take immediate action.”

“We must not think that tobacco use is a problem of the past,” said Jeff Willett, Vice President of Programs at the Kansas Health Foundation, the parent organization of the KHI News Service.

“Tobacco kills more

Kansans than illegal drugs, homicide, suicide, car crashes and AIDS combined. Treating diseases caused by smoking is one reason our Medicaid and other health care costs are out of control. Reducing smoking will save lives and money in Kansas.

Kansans need to support efforts that prevent kids from starting and help adult smokers who want to quit,” he said.

In a joint media release, the Kansas Health Foundation, Tobacco Free Kansas, the American Lung Association in Kansas, the American Heart Association and the Cancer Action Network said the state needs to do more to reduce tobacco use, noting that one of every seven deaths in the state in 2012 was caused by smoking.

(See TOBACCO on page 13)

(See WORRY on page 12)

developmentally disabled persons off the waiting list for home-based Medicaid services.

Sullivan said the consultants, The Buckley Group, based in Englewood, Colo., concluded that 50 positions could be cut at Larned, saving the state an estimated $2.7 million,

but that he decided fewer reductions would be more prudent.

“I feel like what we’ve developed is a reasonable plan,” Sullivan said. “I think if we were to reduce by the full 50 employees and do what was recommended in the report it (See STAFF on page 12)

Legislation would require explanation of medical costs Supporters of a bill that would require insurance companies to promptly provide patients and health care providers with the costs of pending medical procedures testified before the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance this week.

The Real-time Explanation of Health Care Benefits Act (SB 251) would require insurers to electronically and immediately provide health care providers with the amount the insurer would pay for a medical procedure, allowing the clinician to share that information with the patient.

The assumption is that the patient and doctor would then be able to make better decisions about treatment options.

“This is probably the number one issue in private health care,” said Sen. Jim Denning, the Overland Park Republican who sponsored the bill. “We simply don’t know what the patient’s out-of-pocket expense is. We’ve put the cart in front of the horse now that we have all of these high deductible, high co-insurance plans.”

Currently, physicians can access a patient’s coverage eligibility via digital insurance databases, but do not have access to the “allowable amount” - the actual cost of a procedure before deductibles and copay.

“The need for this legislation is even more important in today’s changing health care environment, as consumers may be purchasing health insurance for the first time and may be unfamiliar with their copayment, coinsurance and deductible responsibilities,” said Dr. James Madara, chief executive of the American Medical Association.

The bill would require the following information be included in the explanation of benefits: •The patient’s cost, including deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments, •The physician’s payment, •Any denial of service, •Any reduction or increase of any payments from the agreed fee schedule, and •Whether any of the services provided would be bundled with other services and why.

The bill’s supporters include the American Medical Association, ASCX12, the Kansas Hospital Association and several statewide medical groups.

The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Staff

(continued from page 12)

would lead to destabilizing the hospital and would run counter to a lot of the improvements we tried to make in the last 18 months and wouldn’t be helpful to the care and services we’re trying to provide.”

KDADS Deputy Secretary Lea Stueve Taylor was at Larned last week for two days reviewing the consultant’s findings with hospital staff members and discussing the planned changes in operations at the facility.

“General reaction, from what I heard from my staff, was that no one was throwing us a parade,” Sullivan said of the response from Larned employees. “But there was a relief that there won’t be layoffs . . . and the savings will be used

to reinvest back in the hospital.”

But Rebecca Proctor, interim executive director of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, a labor group with members at the hospital, said “forced overtime” remains a serious problem at Larned with many direct care workers clocking 15 to 30 hours of it per week.

Tobacco

Hospitals

The Wichita-based health foundation recently launched an initiative aimed at reducing smoking among Kansans with mental illness. It is recruiting 25 people from across the state to participate in its 2014 fellows program, which will be devoted to devising a specific plan to address the problem.

Persons with serious mental illness on average die 25 years earlier than people in the general population due primarily to smoking- and obesityrelated diseases, Willett said.

“This population is rapidly becoming the last frontier (in the effort to reduce smoking),” he said. “In Kansas, roughly one-third of all cigarettes smoked are smoked by people with mental illness.”

Kansas counties with highest concentration of smokers:

money that would come with Medicaid expansion to offset cuts in other reimbursements.

“When you live on the margin every dollar counts,” Franks said. “So, when I’m taking $700,000 to $1 million a year out of my budget that means there are services I can no longer provide. What am I going to do to make sure that I keep my doors open and do the things for this community that I need to do?”

Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita may be the Kansas hospital most affected by the state’s reluctance to participate in the Medicaid expansion. Last year, it received nearly $13 million in so-called disproportionate share payments

(continued from page 12)

County Sedgwick

Adult % of Smokers Adults 84,835

23.0%

Johnson

64,898

15.6%

Shawnee

32,298

23.9%

Wyandotte

28,484

30.9%

Douglas

17,709

19.3%

Leavenworth 15,615

26.5%

Riley

13,033

21.1%

Reno

12,488

25.3%

Butler

10,556

21.7%

Saline

10,512

25.0%

County Plat Maps By

Western Cartographers Available:

Scott Ness Gove Lane Logan Finney Wichita Wallace Greeley Kearney

Pick them up today at:

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

‘No room for cuts’ “I can tell you that KOSE would oppose any of those reductions because we believe Larned is understaffed at the moment,” Proctor said. “When you’re working people that much overtime that tells me there is no room for cuts.”

The state’s Sexual Predator Treatment Program is housed at

Larned and a September legislative audit that looked at security and staffing on the unit concluded that 55 of its 178 direct-care positions were vacant.

The audit also noted that staff on that unit alone had clocked more than 38,000 hours overtime in 2012, compared to 6,700 hours in 2010.

The sexual predator unit accounts for about 220 of the hospital’s 535 beds.

In fiscal year 2012, the hospital cost about $58 million to operate or about $320 a day per patient, according to the consultant’s report.

The consultant acknowledged the overtime problem for direct-care workers at the hospital but noted that therapy and social services at the facil-

ity were overstaffed compared to “industry benchmarks.”

The consultant also reported that the employee absenteeism rate at Larned was relatively high, “around five percent” compared to the expected one percent.

“We believe it may be possible to reduce the frequency of unplanned absences through tighter standards of employee accountability and by expanding the pool of direct care staff.

Increasing the pool of MHDDTs (mental health developmental disability technicians) and other direct care staff should also reduce the high rate of overtime,” the consultants wrote.

KDADS officials said their plan is to reduce

(continued from page 12)

to help offset some of the costs of caring for the uninsured. Starting next year, those payments will be steadily reduced along with Medicare reimbursement rates.

That prospect has put Via Christi at the forefront of an effort being mounted by the hospital association to work out a Medicaid expansion compromise with the Brownback administration and Republican legislative leaders.

“We’ve made some progress with the public and with some legislators in making the case for Medicaid expansion,” said Bruce Witt, director of legislative affairs at Via Christi. “We’re at the point now where politics has kind of come into play

and that’s where the real challenge lies.”

Put simply, the challenge is getting Brownback and legislators to decouple the expansion issue from Obamacare, which remains anathema to the Republican Party’s base and unpopular with most Kansans, assuming the polls are accurate.

The hospital association has hired former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, a Republican who served in the Bush administration, to try to persuade Kansas Republican leaders to move forward with expansion using a privatesector approach similar to those being developed or implemented in Arkansas, Iowa, Pennsylvania and a handful of other states.

positions in areas that the consultant concluded were overstaffed but increase direct-care staffing.

“With all due respect to KOSE, I do not know whether they have read and understood the Buckley report,” said Angela de Rocha, a KDADS spokesperson. “The audit recommends reducing staffing for certain job categories and increasing others. The purpose of this is to provide improved overall patient care. The audit does not recommend reducing any of the staff positions that are a challenge to fill and keep filled.”

Sullivan said the agency would be moving people from overstaffed functions, such as therapy, to fill vacancies in direct care over the next six months.

Pastime at Park Lane Sunday church services were held by Immanuel Southern Baptist church.

Pitch and dominoes were played on Monday afternoon. Helpers were Madeline Murphy, Dorothy King, Mandy Barnett and Joy Barnett.

Monday evening’s entertainment was Wii bowling.

Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran Bible study on Wednesday morning.

Bingo game helpers on Wednesday afternoon were Madeline Murphy, Barbara Dickhut and Mary Ann Spangler.

Some of the residents played cards on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday morning some of the ladies were given manicures by Elsie Nagel.

Jehovah Witness book study on Friday evening was led by Russell and Mary Webster.

Catholic mass was led by Fr. Bernard Felix on Friday morning. Rev.

Craft day is held on Tuesday

Craft day was held on Tuesday afternoon with volunteers from Immanuel Southern Baptist Church helping the residents make snowmen out of socks.

Volunteers included Joy Barnett, Mandy Barnett, Jennifer Murphy, Eva Smith and Dana Steffens.

A variety of musical entertainment

Providing entertainment on Thursday afternoon was Jan Huck playing the guitar and mandolin.

Students from the Golden Rule Pre-School sang for the residents on Friday afternoon.

On Friday evening, Gary and Harold Wright sang with Wanda Wright providing refreshments.

The Blue Steele Band performed on Saturday, Band members include Daniel Dunn, Mike Steele and Keith Steele.

Warren Prochnow led Lutheran services in the afternoon.

Park Lane would Like to thank the family of Jerry Doornbos for the flowers brought to Park Lane in his memory.

Park Lane would also like to thank the family of Wanda Kirk and Betty Ann Kough for sewing

Park Place People

by Doris Riner

Just when I’m about to turn the news over to someone else to do for awhile something great happens that I want to tell about.

This last week was the Friday the Wright brothers entertained and that always means “wife Wanda” brings treats for EVERYONE. Wanda’s treats are not “just treats,” but are always something special.

On Friday my doorbell rang and when I answered it there stood Wanda with a big cookie tray full of yummy, large caramel cinnamon rolls. I didn’t count, but there must have been two dozen rolls.

The coffee crowd had lots to snack on, so the lunch bunch got to enjoy the cinnamon rolls. Each roll had to be four inches square and an inch high, a meal within themselves. Thank you, Wanda, from all of us at Park Place. Your generosity never ceases to amaze me!

That is the good news. Now, the bad news. The Thons, Cliff and Philis, have moved to Colby. We will miss them, won’t we Joe . . . another pool player.

Besides the Wright Brothers, the Blue Steele Band also played last week and had a great turnout.

That was until the Shockers and KU had games on TV at the same time. That kept some of us busy flipping channels.

The weather changed back from cold to hot.

I kinda dread to see the spring months come because that is when Kansas has blizzards and/or tornadoes.

Guests of Edwin Allen last week were Jana Miller, Hays, and Patti and Gregg Quakenbush of California. Darlene and Barry Bontrager, Harper, joined them for supper on Saturday evening. Also joining them were her son, Dennis Allen and wife, Elaine; grandson, Jason Allen and friend, Patty McGuire; and great-grandchildren, Cole and Haley Allen.

clothing protectors for the residents.

Park Lane was saddened by the passing away of Mildred Van Pelt.

Mildred has been a resident for 1-1/2 years.

Dottie Fouquet was visited by Jon and Anne Crane, Mark and Terri Fouquet, Sandy Higgins, Mary Stormont, Nicole

The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Latta and Ethan McDaniel-Noll.

Thelma Branine was visited by Cassidy Hornbostel, Evan Caredenas, Bob and Linda Wilson, and Chris and Patti Pfenninger and family.

Melva Rose was visited

by Tina Turley and Wendy Derstine.

Judy Redburn was visited by Aaron Fry, Mary Torson, Tina Turley, Wendy Derstine and Carol Ellis.

Bud Berry was visited

by Wayde Berry and Sondra Berry.

Darlene Richman was visited by Darla Luebbers and Tina Turley.

Joyce Bohnert was visited by Glenda Graham.

Mary Alice King was visited by Gabe Lawrence and Shorty Lawrence.

Verna Willman was visited by Bob Willman and Matt Dillon.

Cecile Billings was visited by Ann Beaton, Delinda Dunagan and Linda Dunagan.

Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu Week of November January 27-31 Monday: Chicken Parmesan, scalloped potatoes, California blend vegetables, French bread, cinnamon apple slices.

Tuesday: Ham and beans, breaded tomatoes, steamed cabbage, cornbread, peaches.

Wednesday: Barbeque beef brisket, au gratin potatoes, broccoli, whole wheat roll, yellow brick road cake.

Thursday: Swiss steak with tomatoes, baked potato, mixed vegetables, whole wheat roll, tropical fruit salad.

Friday: Baked fish, creamed peas, carrots, whole wheat roll, strawberries and bananas. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501

by Jason Storm

Edith Norman was visited by Sue Riner, Nancy Holt, Sara Shane and Doris Riner.

Boots Haxton was visited by Rod and Kathy Haxton.

Christine Evans was visited by Nancy Holt and Barb Hutchins.

Bonnie Pickett was visited by Gloria Wright, Larry Wright, and Larry and Philene Pickett.

Lorena Turley was visited by Rex Turley, Neta Wheeler, Carol Auten, Emily Hess, Tyler Hess, Tina Turley, Connie Bryan and Phyllis See. Lula Dirks was visited

by Darla Luebbers and Willetta Payne.

Ruth Holland was visited by Debbie Bush, Charlene Becht and Frankie Rowton.

Vivian Kreiser was visited by Sharon Lock.

Jim and Yvonne Spangler were visited by Les and Mary Ann Spangler, Jerica VanCampen and Adalei Zeller.

Earl Gorman was visited by Loretta Gorman, Kim Smith, Charlene Becht, Linn Gorman, Penny Stroud, Jane McBroom and Celina Chavez.

Ann Tedford was visited by Mary Plum.

Harriet Jones was visited by Travis Jones, Nancy Holt, Pam Crist, Wes and Abbey Campbell, Rev. Don Martin from St. Luke’s Church, Annabelle McDaniel and Betty Schmidt.

Herb Graves was visited by Tina Turley, Kelsi Schwartz, Ana Retamoza and Ron Hess.

Mike Leach was visited by Linda Dunagan and Rev. Don Martin from St. Luke’s Church.

Albert Dean was visited by Carol Davey, Kent Geist and Nancy Holt.

Harold and Ruth White were visited by Travis Jones.

Dona Dee Carpenter was visited by Bill John.

Jim Jeffery was visited

by Libbie Joles.

The Scott County Record • Page 15 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Deaths Ashley Rochelle Abel Ashley Rochelle Abel, 19, La Junta, Colo., died Jan. 15, 2014.

S h e was born Nov. 11, 1994, in La Junta, to Jody Kay BraAshley Abel cy and Timothy Dean Abel.

Ashley graduated from Cheraw High School in 2013. She obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant certification while she was a junior in high school. During her senior year she was taking prerequisite courses for the nursing program at Otero Junior College and was currently working at the Fowler Healthcare Center.

Ashley was active with

the Patriot Riders and known as “Cotton Tail.”

Survivors include: her mother, La Junta, Colo.; father, Garden City; a sister, Heather Abel, Colby; grandparents, Marilyn (Gary) Bracy, and Bill and Ruth Abel, all of La Junta, Colo; and many family members and friends.

Funeral service was held Jan. 22 at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ron Skorick officiating.

Interment was at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to a scholarship fund in Ashley’s name at the Colorado East Bank and Trust.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com.

Retirement benefits are available on-line

Q) Can I apply online for retirement benefits?

A) Yes. In fact, almost half of all individuals apply Social for retirement benefits Security online. Join the millions of Americans who have Q and A saved a trip to a Social Security office and applied the quickest and easiest way - online. In as little as 15 minutes you can submit your application electronically.

In most cases, once you’ve submitted your application, you’re done and there are no forms to sign or documents to send in. If we do need more information to process your application, a representative will contact you.

For more information visit the website at www. socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. * * * Q) If both my spouse and I are entitled to Social Security benefits based on our own work records, is there any reduction in our payments because we are married?

A) No. Each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. Couples are not penalized simply because they are married.

If one member of the couple earned low wages or did not earn enough Social Security credits to be eliTrenton Diego Guerra gible for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible Trenton Diego Guerra, son Guerra; grandfather, to receive benefits as a spouse.

38, died Jan. 18, 2014, in Simon Korbe; and two Cheyenne County, Colo. step-children, Brandtson TrenArnold and Shania Lane Attend the Church of Your Choice ton was Arnold, all of Leoti. born Aug. His was preceded in 29, 1975, I’m reading a book. I know, hold the presses, Scott’s reading a book. death by his mother; a sisActually, I think I’ve read more in the last three years than I have the previous 38 years combined. I don’t read at Hays, ter, Crystal Guerra; and as fast as I’d like but I digress. Right now I’m working my way through Timothy Keller’s book “Center Church: the son grandmother, Ruby KoDoing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City.” of Henrbe.

I’ve seen some of Keller’s YouTube videos so I had an idea of what I was getting into when I started. It’s not the ry and easiest book to get through. It’s set up more like a college textbook and is filled with sidebars and graphs aplenty.

Memorial service was K a t h y Trenton Guerra held Jan. 23 at the AssemBut it has also been one of the best written, inspiring and affirming books I’ve ever read as well.

I’d like to share just a couple thoughts, actually from the opening chapter, with you; thoughts that deal with (Korbe) Guerra. bly of God Church, Leoti. gospel (the good news) and how it ought to be considered in the life of Christians and the church.

A lifetime resident of Rev. Rick Crossette offici1. The gospel is “good news” not “good advice.”

Leoti, he was an employHave you ever really considered this? The gospel is not something we “do” it’s something that has been ated. ee of Seaboard Foods and “done,” done for us in fact. It is to be announced publicly, we have been delivered from peril and it’s something Inurnment will be at that demands a response. owner/operator of Korbe a later date at the Leoti 2. The gospel is good news announcing that we have been rescued or saved.

Enterprise Septic SerYou may have been asked, “Are you saved?” or even thought of yourself as saved, but saved from what? 1 Cemetery. vices. He was a member Thessalonians 1:10 says that Jesus saves from the “coming wrath.” This is not some impersonal wrath, no, Paul Memorials may be givof the Assembly of God reminds us that it’s wrath from God and it is a real problem for the human condition (Romans 1:18-32). en to the Trenton Guerra Church, Leoti.

The consequence for sin (rebellion) is God’s wrath. The good news is that we are saved from that wrath beChildren Education Fund cause our relationship with God is put right again.

On Oct. 29, 2004, he 3. The gospel is news about what has been done by Jesus Christ to put right our relationship with God. in care of Price and Sons married Dannette Hall at Becoming a Christian is about a change of status; we have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14). Notice we Funeral Home, 202 N. Las Vegas, Nev. have passed, not are passing. That’s significant. You are either in Christ or you are not; you are either pardoned Survivors include: 4th, Leoti, Ks. 67861. and accepted or you are not; you either have eternal life or you do not.

Condolences may be Becoming a Christian is realizing the gospel has changed our relationship with God in Christ Jesus. It changes two children, Tatum Reour standing before God so that we are no longer objects of his wrath but objects of His love and a right relationanne Guerra and Tayson sent to the family through ship with Him. Royce Guerra; father, the funeral home website Pastor Scotty Wagner Henry Guerra; brother, Ja- at priceandsons.com.

The Gospel

First Christian Church, Scott City • fccscottcity.org

William ‘Bill’ Streeter William H. “Bill” Streeter, Jr., 83, died Jan. 21, 2014, at his home in Garden City.

H e was born Feb. 25, 1 9 3 0 , in Scott City, the son of Bill Streeter Wi l l i a m Howard, Sr., and Kathryn (Neuenschwander) Streeter.

A resident of Garden City since 1940, he had been the owner and operator of Streeter Ditching.

Bill was a member of the First Christian Church, Garden City, and the Garden City Road Riders. He was a US Navy veteran serving during the Korean Conflict.

On Dec. 5, 1954, he married Ghita V. (Mickey) Lane in Bellflower, Calif.

She survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Arnold Streeter, Garden City, and Albert Streeter and wife, Sheila, Fullerton, Nebr.; three sisters,

Ruthella Wagner and Jo Ann Glasse, both of Garden City, and Marlene Richmeier, Toledo, Ohio; two grandchildren, Joshua W. Streeter and Krista V. Streeter, both of Garden City; and two great-grandchildren, Savannah Wilson, and Journie Wilson, both of Fullerton, Nebr.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Albert E. Streeter; and one sister, Twila McKinley.

Funeral service will be Sat., Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m., at the First Christian Church, Garden City.

Interment will be at the Valley View Cemetery, Garden City.

Visitation will be Friday from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Price and Sons Funeral Home, Garden City. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Memorials may be given to the Bill Streeter Memorial Fund in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St., Garden City, Ks. 67846.

Scott City Assembly of God

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

St. Joseph Catholic 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.

Pence Community Church

Prairie View Church of the Brethren

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 • Wednesday mornings Breakfast at 6:30 a.m.

Held at Precision Ag Bldg. west of Shallow Water

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

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.

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 Kyle Evans, Senior Pastor Bob Artz, Associate Pastor

1398 S. US83 - Scott City - 872-2264 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 120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Larry Taylor, pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

First Christian Church

1st United Methodist Church

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.

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

Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.

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.

The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Youngsters who have reached 100 to 600 book milestones in the Scott County Library’s “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” reading program are:

Thomas Bretton 600

Sebastian Nelson 300

Jayden Nelson 300

Jaxson Nelson 100

Charlotte Frank 100

Grady Vance 100

Kinzie Fisher 100

Garrett Mader 100

Rafe Vallejo 100

Hadley Bailey 100

AARP gives support to Medicaid expansion in Ks. AARP Kansas officials and volunteers spent much of Wednesday morning reminding legislators of the organization’s support for expanding the state’s Medicaid program.

“We are pro-Medicaid expansion,” said Andrea Bozarth, director of community outreach for AARP Kansas. “Twenty percent of the people who would be affected by Medicaid expansion are between the ages of 50 and 64. That’s who we represent.”

Kansas is one of 23 states that have chosen not to expand their Medicaid programs to include adults whose incomes are below 138 percent of the federal poverty line.

Currently, low-income children, pregnant women and the elderly are eligible for Medicaid. Childless adults are not.

Expanding Medicaid, Bozarth said, would benefit seniors who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

“A lot of times, these are people who’ve either been laid off through no fault of their own or who’ve had to take time off work to care for a relative or a partner who has a chronic illness and they’re trying to get back in the workforce,” Bozarth said.

“They find themselves without any medical coverage at all.”

Bozarth was one of about a dozen AARP members who delivered

Kansas has one of the lowest rates of required hours of nursing care in the country. We’re at two hours a day now - average. We’d like to get that raised to 4.2 hours a day because research shows there would be positive outcomes for the residents.

Andrea Bozarth, director of community outreach for AARP Kansas

packets of fresh-baked cookies to legislators’ offices. Attached to the packets were cards that outlined the group’s legislative priorities for this year: •Expanding Medicaid; •Aligning the state’s durable-power-of- attorney laws with those in other states; •Preventing employers from basing hiring decisions on applicants’ credit scores; and •Requiring nursing homes to provide more hands-on care.

Nursing Home Care “Kansas has one of the lowest rates of required hours of nursing care in the country,” Bozarth said. “We’re at two hours a day now - average. We’d like to get that raised to 4.2 hours a day because research shows there would be positive outcomes for the residents.”

The credit-score issue, Bozarth said, is driven by concerns that when people in their 50s and 60s give up their jobs to care for an elderly parent, their credit scores often suffer, making it difficult for them to return to the workforce.

AARP, she said, supports streamlining dura-

Locust Street Taxi to perform in GC Feb. 4 The Locust Street Taxi will take the stage in a tornado of ska, swing and pop when they perform at the Clifford Hope Auditorium on the campus of Horace J. Good Middle School, Garden City, on Tues., Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Single tickets are $25 for adults and $6 for students.

Southwest Kansas Live On Stage (“SWK-LOS”) has also sponsored a student outreach performance by Locust Street Taxi as part of their ongoing commitment to arts education in Garden City.

Formed in 2001 in the music and theater departments of Centralia College in Washington State, Locust Street Taxi has given over 300 performances, been featured

on 10 different Northwest radio and TV stations and performed to a 10,000-person audience at the 2009 “Night Glow” in Walla Walla, Washington.

They have been compared to the likes of Barenaked Ladies, Sublime and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy.

Comprised of three musical geniuses and a trombone player, their performances feature outstanding musicianship, well-crafted, memorable songs and an infectious exuberance - rarely failing to engage audience members of all ages and backgrounds.

For more information call (620) 275-1667 or visit the association website at http://swks-liveonstage.org/.

ble-power-of-attorney laws in ways that would promote uniformity among states.

“The way it is now, you can be in Kansas and be durable power of attorney for someone in another state and not know what the law is because they’re different,” Bozarth said.

Ten states, she said, have begun coordinating their durable-power-ofattorney laws.

“There was a lot of interest in the issues,” said Mary Tritsch, AARP Kansas’ director of communications. “We were well-received. We had a lot of people tell us they’re AARP members.”

AARP Kansas has nearly 335,000 members, all of whom are at least 50 years old.

Rep. Julie Menghini (D-Pittsburg) met with Borzarth’s group for several minutes.

“For me and for the people in my district, Medicaid expansion is a huge issue,” she said. “It’s an issue that I hope will be able to work its way up to the front of whatever we’re able to accomplish this session. But I have to say I’m surprised by how little support there is for it.”

Cupid’s Comments Send a d’s i p u C nt e m Com ur to yo e! ntin e l a V

h Touc ne o some l ia spec in your life.

All Valentine’s Day Cupid’s Comments will be published in the February 13 Scott County Record!

Exam ple: Kathy , you g my love fo rows every r I love day you m y dea . r!

-Rod

$10 (for the first 15 words)

Deadline is February 11 Name:_____________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________________________________________ Message (Up to 15 words):_____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

Scott County Record P.O. Box 377 406 Main St. Scott City, Ks 67871

Sports

Top Scottie Former SCHS player is new head coach at Highland CC • Page 24

Classic is no test for Kropp

The Scott County Record

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Page 17

Kropps collect gold, silver; Tucker is third

After winning gold medals in both tournaments he’s competed in since the holiday break, Warren Kropp is looking for a tougher test this weekend when the Scott Community High School wrestling team travels to Lexington (Nebr.).

In fact, he’s hoping to be tested.

That’s not arrogance. That’s just someone who enjoys the thrill of competition.

“I’m always excited about big matches,” says the 170-pound senior. “Wrestling in a big match is a lot more exciting to me than winning by a major decision or sticking someone. It makes me that much better. You get that much more wind under you.”

Kropp has wrestled in only nine matches this year after getting a late start while recovering from a shoulder injury. In those nine his closest match was a 13-1 major decision.

(See KROPP on page 21)

Zach Tucker, a 106-pound junior, puts Holcomb’s Alex Rowe on his back for near-fall points on his way to a 17-1 technical fall win during the Scott City Classic on Saturday.

(Record Photo)

Little emotion, no surprise in lopsided GWAC win over Eagles

Driving the lane for two of his 20 points is SCHS junior Trey O’Neil during Friday’s league win over Colby.

(Record Photo)

When you go from playing a state-ranked opponent in front of a packed gym on Tuesday to playing an opponent still looking for their first win of the season on Friday, it’s only natural for a team not to perform with the same intensity.

That was evident on Friday night when the Scott Community High School Colby 35 boys coasted to a lackluster Scott City 64 64-35 win over Colby in their final Great West Activities Conference game before the Orange and Black Classic this week.

“It was a totally different game. There wasn’t near the energy in the gym,” says senior guard Chris Pounds. “After the big win over Holcomb I think we might have relaxed a little.”

Not that the outcome was ever in doubt.

Colby’s last lead in the game was 4-2 Pounds, who finished with a season high nine points, gave the Beavers (6-1) the lead to stay with a three-point play, followed by another basket. SCHS added another six point burst that included a pair of free throws by Brett Meyer and a steal and layup by the junior guard that extended the lead to 13-6.

Even with a 16-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, it was a sluggish eight minutes for the Beavers. They were seeing a 1-3-1 zone for the first time and it took awhile to make the adjustment.

“We don’t practice much against it because hardly anyone runs a 1-3-1,” notes Pounds.

Junior guard Trey O’Neil started attacking the zone more in the second quarter and drawing the extra defender which opened up scoring opportunities for other players.

O’Neil, who finished with a team high nine assists, picked up a pair of those on back-toback baskets by Pounds.

(See EAGLES on page 24)

Scott City mauls Cougars in O&B opener The Scott City boys didn’t expect much of a test from Burlington, Colo., in the opening round of the Orange and Black Classic on Thursday.

The Cougars met those expectations as Scott Community High School came away with a lopsid-

ed 62-22 win and advance to the semi-finals.

After the first two minutes the only thing in doubt was the final score.

Sophomore guard Dylan Hutchins, getting his first-ever varsity start, quickly took advantage of

Orange and Black Classic SCHS Boys (7-1) vs McCook (7-7) Friday, Jan. 24 • 8:15 p.m.

Colby Community Bldg.

the opportunity to score the game’s first basket and junior guard Trey O’Neil followed with a

three-pointer to begin his 21 point night.

The Beavers led 7-0 before Burlington scored its first basket. That would be the last time that the Cougars would score for the next 10:26 as SCHS put together an impressive 28-0 scoring blitz. SCHS

spread the ball around with five different players contributing to the scoring run.

Junior guard Brett Meyer, who finished with 13 points, drained an 11-footer and Sloan Baker followed with a rebound and putback to make it a

13-2 game midway into the opening period.

Meyer and O’Neil had consecutive three-point plays and Meyer would close out the quarter with a three-point basket at the buzzer to make it a 24-2 rout.

(See COUGARS on page 19)

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Outdoors in Kansas

by Steve Gilliland

A tribute to man’s best friend As I sit down to tap away at this week’s parable, for some inexplicable reason I feel the need to pay homage to man’s best friend.

Nowhere is man’s best friend appreciated more than in the world of outdoor sportsmen.

They sit beside us in hunting blinds; often so close they’re nearly beneath us.

They help us carry our gear to and from campsites, the boat, the woods and even back to the truck when the excursion is over.

They are perfectly at home in the pickup, whether in the back, on the floor or in the seat beside us. They require very little in the way of maintenance, perhaps an occasional scrubbing to keep them squeaky clean.

Yet, these stalwart companions provide us with years of dedicated, selfless service.

Of course I’m talking about man’s best friend - the plastic five-gallon bucket.

I wish they had existed when I was a kid.

Oh, we had five-gallon buckets, but not plastic. I ruined more metal buckets than I care to remember by beating cows with them. Had they been plastic, they’d have lasted forever.

But, like I stated above, no one depends upon plastic five-gallon buckets more than the outdoor sports enthusiast. They come in white, gray, green, black and camouflage.

They can have metal handles or plastic.

They are the ultimate seat/equipment carrier rolled into one.

No fisherman worth his or her fish and chips will own less than half dozen.

When ice fishing, two nice white ones (to color coordinate with your surroundings) will carry your rods, tackle, bait and lunch onto the ice.

(See FRIEND on page 23)

Dighton aims for rematch with Hoxie One game at a time.

There isn’t a coach out there - at any level - who doesn’t preach that simple truth.

T h e D i g h ton High School girls are Atwood 11 p l a y DHS Girls 44 ing one game at a time, but one can’t blame them for sneaking a peak to what they hope will be a championship showdown with Hoxie in the Northwest Kansas League tournament.

“As soon as the girls saw the bracket they were excited. Their goal is to have a rematch with Hoxie,” says head coach Amy

Lady Hornets overcome slow start against Atwood NWKL Tournament Championship Semis DHS vs WaKeeney Fri., Jan. 24 • 3:00 p.m.

Felker. “I keep reminding them that if they don’t play well and take care of the next game in front of them that won’t happen.”

The Lady Hornets (9-1) took care of the first game in their trip to the finals with a 44-11 win over Atwood during the tournament opener on Tuesday.

They have won seven consecutive games since losing to Hoxie, 64-56, in the semi-finals of the Castle Rock Classic.

Even though Atwood barely reached double figures and was held scoreless in the third quarter, Felker didn’t feel it was one of their better defensive games.

“We can play better and we’ll have to play better in our next two games,” she said.

Felker was even more concerned about the Lady Hornets’ offense which experienced a six minute scoring drought to start the game. Fortunately, their defense limited Atwood to a single basket during that stretch.

When Leslie Speer finally put Dighton on the

scoreboard with a pair of free throws it opened the offensive floodgates as they added eight more points during the final two minutes to take control of the game.

Speer finished the night with a double-double - 12 points and 10 rebounds while Jordan Speer added eight points and four boards.

The Lady Hornets also finished the night with 18 offensive rebounds and 14 assists. Senior forward Shambrey Budd led the team with four assists along with four rebounds and three steals.

“Even though the girls

know that Leslie is our goto girl, we know that everyone is capable of scoring,” says Felker. “The girls know they can pass to anyone. They trust in each other.”

In Friday’s semi-finals, Dighton will face WaKeeney, a 56-37 winner over Wichita County. The Lady Hornets defeated WaKeeney, 48-30, in their season opener.

“WaKeeney’s better than they were then and so are we,” says Felker.

“It doesn’t matter that we beat them by double figures last time. We have to remain focused and play with intensity.”

In other words, keep playing them one at a time.

Late FG advances WCHS in tourney Budde basket with :06 caps late rally by Indians Jantz Budde didn’t get the shot he was looking for during Wichita County’s tournament play-in game against Tribune on Monday night.

B u t the senior g u a r d was just fine with Tribune 46 the result.

Wichita Co. 47 Budde capped an 18 point performance with the game winner in the final seconds as the Indians (4-7) rallied in the fourth quarter for a 47-46 win and advance into bracket play in the Northwest Kansas League tournament.

The game winning basket finished off a see-saw night for WCHS that saw them jump out to a 12-0 first quarter lead only to see Tribune chip away at the deficit until the Jackrabbits took the lead for the first time, 40-39, with 4:26 left in the game. Tribune built its largest lead of the game, 43-39, with 2:58 on the clock when Budde took over.

Budde rallied the Indians with three baskets starting at the 2:20 mark.

His 12-foot jumper with 1:11 remaining cut the lead to 44-43 and his short jumper off the glass with just :36 to play tied the game at 45-45.

“I was just trying to be aggressive and create plays for my teammates,” says Budde. “They were doing a good job of making (defensive) stops.”

On the two previous Tribune possessions, head coach Hayden Parks had wanted his team to foul in order to put the Jackrabbits on the line. The strategy paid off as Tribune only made one free throw on each trip which allowed WCHS to close the gap. But once his team pulled even, Parks wanted his team to play good defense the remainder of the game and, if they didn’t force a turnover, send the game into overtime.

Instead, WCHS committed a foul with 28.8 seconds on the clock which again sent Tribune to the line for a pair of free throws.

“I wasn’t wanting us to foul. The boys have to understand the situation better,” says Parks.

Tribune made the first of two free throws and after the Indians gained possession following the missed free throw and brought the ball across half-court they called a timeout to set up a final play.

It was no surprise that the ball was put in the hands of Budde. The plan was to clear out the right side of the court and let the senior take on the defender one-on-one.

“We wanted Jantz to take the shot. He finally got going in the second half so we wanted the ball in his hands at the end,” says Parks. “We were looking to get something more along the lines of

Leoti senior Brock Sheppard pulls down a rebound during Monday’s NWKL tournament game against Tribune.

(Record Photo)

a layup. (Tribune) did a good job of switching off on the screen.”

Budde tried to drive to the basket from the right side but couldn’t find a lane. He drifted down to the baseline and put up a 10-foot jumper that hit nothing but the bottom of the net.

“It wasn’t quite the shot I was looking for, but it went in so I’m happy,”

said Budde afterwards.

Tribune immediately called a timeout with 5.6 seconds remaining which gave them more than enough time for a final shot. On the inbounds play they were able to drive the length of the court, but the ball bounced off the ball handler’s foot and rolled out of bounds along the baseline with 1.4 seconds to play, giving the ball

back to WCHS. The dramatic finish was not what Parks expected after his team dominated early, scoring the first 12 points of the game and leading 17-4 early in the second period following a basket by Brock Sheppard.

“In the first quarter we did a good job of penetrating into the lane,” says (See BUDDE on page 22)

The Scott County Record • Page 19 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

SCHS offense still on holiday break Lady Beavers searching for answers to end four game skid Coming out of the holiday break, the Scott Community High School girls knew they were heading into a rugged stretch of games that began with state-ranked Hugoton and Holcomb, along with an always tough Colby team.

Head coach Shelby Crawford knew wins would be tough 44 to come by. But Colby Scott City 19 he was hoping his Lady Beavers (1-6, 0-4) would be able to compete with the top teams in the Great West Activities Conference.

Instead, Crawford and his squad are looking for answers following a 44-19 setback on the home floor to Colby, their fourth consecutive loss.

“We’re backsliding on offense,” says Crawford, whose team has averaged just 28 points per game since returning from the break.

Last Friday’s offensive production against Colby was the team’s lowest of the season.

“Too many of the shots we’re attempting are out of control.

We’re settling for outside shots when we’re not a good outside shooting team,” says Crawford.

“We have a girl (Bailey Nickel) who can be dominating in the middle. Good things happen when we get the ball to her.”

Nickel, who entered the contest averaging 17 points, was limited to a season low of four points on just 2-of-8 from the field.

Senior forward Riley Hawker had a season high eight points all of those coming in the first

Cougars The Beavers continued with their offensive clinic by scoring the first 11 points to open the second quarter.

O’Neil opened the period with a basket and quickly followed with a steal and layup that he converted into a three-point play. Senior center Brayden Strine, who finished with seven points, added a field goal and senior guard Chris

Speer sisters lead Dighton over St. Francis

Behind a balanced offense that saw four girls scoring in double figures, the Dighton High School girls had no trouble coasting by St. Francis, 74-35, in Northwest Kansas League play last Friday.

“We wanted a good win before the (NWKL) tournament. We went on the road and played well,” says head coach Amy Felker.

The offense was in high gear from the start, scoring 23 points in the opening period and owning a 43-17 edge at the half.

Senior center Leslie Speer, who was 7-of-9 from the field, joined her younger sister, Jordan, with a game high 16 points. J. Speer topped her sister by hitting 8-of-9 field goals.

“Jordan is starting to play much stronger and she’s posting up better,” says Felker.

“You can see she’s growing in confidence.”

Sophomore guard Kiara Budd, who was 3-of-5 from beyond the three-point line, added 11 points while senior forward Liz Heath was 5-of-8 from the field and finished with 11 points.

The Lady Hornets also had a season-high 21 assists, led by senior guard Diamond Brown with seven.

Scott City senior Holly Wilcoxson gets pressured by Colby’s Haileigh Shull during last Friday’s league game.

(Record Photo)

10-1/2 minutes. Her final basket cut the Colby lead to 15-10.

The Lady Beavers were still within striking distance at the half, trailing 25-13, but they found no offense in the second half when they added just two more field goals.

“We had opportunities early in the game to get the lead, but we missed some easy transition baskets. That hurts. We’re not

good enough to overcome those missed opportunities,” says Crawford.

From two-point range SCHS was just 6-of-32 (19%) and were 0-of-11 from beyond the three-point line.

The head coach says the Lady Beavers don’t get the offensive movement they need which allows the zone to pack the middle and keep the ball from Nickel.

As a result, the SCHS girls are then forced to take more outside shots which they haven’t been able to convert.

“We may have to go to a set offense with these girls and see if we can begin finding some success,” says Crawford. “We need to find some way to create space in the middle and give Bailey the opportunity to score.”

Burlington finally ended its drought with four free throws and the Cougars scored their second field goal of the game with 2:18 remaining.

The Beavers owned a 38-8 lead at the half.

SCHS put together a 12-0 scoring run early in the third period which extended a 41-11 lead to 53-11 with 4:30 on the clock.

Following a three-point basket by Hutchins - which gave him seven points for the night - the Beavers added four consecutive free throws.

Chantz Yager closed out the quarter with a steal and layup that opened up a 59-13 cushion as the quarter ended and brought on a running clock for the final eight minutes.

(continued from page 17)

Pounds chipped in a pair of free throws at the 4:16 mark.

That was all that head coach Glenn O’Neil needed to see as he began inserting his junior varsity players into the lineup. Moments after entering the game, freshman Bo Hess hit a basket that stretched Scott City’s lead to 35-2 with 3:34 still on the clock.

Turnovers are familiar problem for Jayhawks Turnovers tempered the joy of Jayhawk fans after Kansas held on for an 80-78 win over Oklahoma State last Saturday. by Turnovers Mac have been a Stevenson characteristic of Bill Self’s teams since he’s been coach at KU. Once again it’s becoming a significant issue.

Talking about point guard Naadir Tharpe, Self said, “Sometimes you scratch your head with some of the decisions he makes, but he played extremely well, and of course he made some big shots.”

KU played with skill and intensity while roaring to a 47-30 halftime lead. Then, inexplicably, the Jayhawks came dangerously close to a total collapse in the second half, primarily due to 14 second half turnovers.

That’s inexcusable.

Tharpe (6) and shooting guard Wayne Selden (5) were the main culprits.

Kansas has frequently had turnover problems.

Last season it was Elijah Johnson who would cough it up in tight games, like he did in the loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.

If KU is going to become a consistently effective team, the turnover issue must be solved.

Coach Self is a great coach, but his handling freshman guard Conner Frankamp is open to question. Against O-State, Self put Frankamp in for less that a minute and yanked him after Frankamp missed an open three-point shot.

Self has the youngster playing scared. If Self would give him a chance, Frankamp could bring poise to the ball handling and add a skilled three-point shooter to the rotation.

KU’s guard play has been inconsistent. Almost all of the turnovers have been caused by carelessness and a lack of poise. Frankamp could lend a steadying hand if he was given the proper opportunity.

Center Joel Embiid has been the one constant in KU’s lineup. Embiid keeps getting better and better; however, it should be noted that he’s been playing against undersized teams (See TURNOVERS on page 23)

8th grade Jays race past Colby in season opener Scott City’s fast-paced style was too much for Colby as the eighth grade Bluejays rolled to an easy 34-10 season opening win on the home floor.

Scott City Middle School never trailed in the game, reeling off eight unanswered points to open up a 12-2 lead late in the opening period.

Zach Carson, who joined three other players with a game high eight points, scored three consecutive baskets during that stretch.

After Colby had cut the lead in half, 12-6, the Bluejays scored the next six points.

Austen Turner scored four of his eight points to close out the half, taking advantage of an assist from Nick Nowak to open up an 18-6 lead at the intermission.

Reid Brunswig and Nowak also finished with eight points.

In “B” team action, SCMS allowed just two field goals and cruised to a 26-5 win.

They outscored Colby 18-2 in the second half.

Porter Irwin and Baron Strine each scored six points.

Faurot Scores 22 Marshall Faurot poured in 22 points as the seventh grade Bluejays ripped Colby, 42-30, on the road Tuesday afternoon.

Colby jumped out to an 11-4 first quarter lead, but SCMS had cut that deficit to 18-14 by halftime.

Faurot scored 16 of his points in the second half as the Bluejays pulled away. Wyatt Hayes and Parker Vulgamore scored all four of their points in the third period as Scott City opened up a 28-22 advantage.

Jack Thomas scored four of his eight points in the final period.

The SCMS “B” team could find very little offense in a 3015 loss. Colby led 12-6 at the half but were able to pull away in the third period.

Miles Haire and Kyle Sherwood scored five and four points, respectively, for Scott City.

Scott City finished the night with an 18-12 win in two quarters of “C” team action. Jordon Smith led the Bluejays with eight points.

The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

SCMS eighth grader Zach Carson drives to the basket for two points as the Bluejays opened the season with a win over Colby.

(Record Photo)

Fletcher sets another scoring mark A week ago, after Gabe Fletcher had scored a career high 14 points, the question was what would the sophomore do for an encore.

How about 21 points?

Fletcher had a career night on 8-of-9 from the field and Quinter 57 the Wichita Wichita Co. 61 County High School boys rallied from a six point halftime deficit to defeat Quinter, 61-57, in Northwest Kansas League play last Friday.

“What we’re seeing from Gabe now that we didn’t see before is confidence,” says head coach Hayden Parks.

“When he gets the ball now

he’s aggressive and he’s looking to score.”

The sophomore’s ability to score in the low post has been a great complement to senior guard Jantz Budde who finished with a game high 26 points, including 10-of-12 free throws in the second half.

“Probably half of Gabe’s points are coming as a result of assists from Jantz,” notes Parks. “Jantz is good about driving to the basket and creating opportunities for other players around him. Gabe is putting himself in good position to be on the receiving end of some of those assists.”

WCHS (3-7) had trouble finding their offense in the first half because of Quinter’s zone

defense and foul trouble that had four starters spending time on the bench. Budde, Fletcher, Brock Sheppard and Casey Day each had two fouls early in the second period and Day picked up his third just before halftime.

“They also ran a compact 1-3-1 zone and it took the boys awhile before they could get comfortable attacking it,” says Parks.

That contributed to 11 first half turnovers which was cut to just five in the second half.

“We were more patient in the second half and not forcing our passes,” Parks says.

Quinter held a 26-21 lead at the half with both teams forcing a more up-tempo style in

the second half. Leoti cut the deficit to one point, 42-41, entering the final period.

Budde and Fletcher were able to take advantage of the faster tempo, scoring 18 and 14 points, respectively, after the intermission.

Junior Treven Burch didn’t make the scoring column but he made big contributions elsewhere with a team high nine rebounds along with three assists. Fletcher added eight rebounds, including six offensive boards.

“Treven rebounds really well for a guard,” says Parks.

“He’s going to get his points.

He had a couple of good looks from the three-point line that looked like they were in.”

WCHS teams fall in quarter-finals The Wichita County High School boys couldn’t find a way to slow down Sharon Springs, losing to the Wildcats in the quarter-finals of the Northwest Kansas League tournament, 75-38.

The top-seeded Wildcats opened up a 50-30 halftime lead and then buried the Indi-

ans under a 20-2 scoring blitz in the third quarter.

Senior guard Jantz Budde led the Indians with 18 points.

Sophomore pivot Gabe Fletcher added eight points and five rebounds. Treven Burch also had five rebounds.

WCHS was just 16-of-47 from the field, including 1-of-

12 from the three-point line.

Lady Indians Tumble The WCHS girls were defeated by No. 3 seeded WaKeeney, 56-37, in Tuesday’s opener.

WaKeeney jumped out to a 14-2 first quarter lead, but the Lady Indians bounced back in

the second period, cutting the halftime deficit to 24-15.

The Lady Golden Eagles were able to pull away in each of the final two quarters.

Next game for Wichita County will be Friday when they face Atwood at 3:00 p.m.

All tournament games are being played in Oberlin.

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

DHS has devil of a time in tourney opener Trailing 26-24 at halftime, Dean Cramer reminded his Dighton High School boys that Tuesday’s game against Oberlin would be decided during the next eight minutes.

T h e Hornets ( 6 - 4 ) took that advice to heart, Oberlin 47 limiting DHS Boys 62 the Red Devils to just four points in the third period and pulling away for a 62-47 win in the opening round of the Northwest Kansas League tournament which was being played on Oberlin’s home floor

NWKL Tournament Championship Semis DHS vs Hoxie Fri., Jan. 24 • 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday night.

“I can’t overemphasize our defensive play,” says the head coach.

Senior guard Ryan Horn got four of the team’s 12 steals at the point.

Neither can he overemphasize the team’s balanced scoring attack that continues to see freshman guard Tyler Lingg emerging as an offensive force with a season high 25 points, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Even with Lingg’s

performance, along with 10 points each from senior post players Sam Moomaw and Mathew Barnett, the Hornets had to overcome a 26-23 halftime deficit.

It was after the Hornets went with their big lineup to start the second half - going with what Cramer calls a 1-4 low set against Oberlin’s 3-2 zone that Dighton began to get on an offensive roll.

“Tyler was hitting shots from the outside so they had to respect him and I had Isaac (Alinor) and Sam (Moomaw) on opposite sides in the low block,” Cramer says.

Alinor scored on a put-

back and Moomaw added a basket on the next possession and from then on it was all Dighton.

Dighton was able to extend its lead in the fourth quarter when they were 17-of-18 at the line.

“Tyler’s listed at 6-foot4, but he’s so mobile. I even had him bring the ball up the floor against their press,” Cramer says.

“A post player doesn’t have the quickness to stay with him. Plus he’s a great foul shooter.”

Against the Indians he was 5-of-5.

Hoxie (9-1) in the tournament semi-finals. The two last met in the finals of the Castle Rock Classic with Hoxie cruising to a 54-28 win.

“We have to do a better job of handling their press.

That was the big difference last time,” says Cramer. “We didn’t do a good job of getting the ball to our end of the floor.”

Cramer says the Dighton defense will also have to be aware of where Kade Spresser is on the floor after he burned them for 22 points in their previous game.

Face Hoxie in Semis “We have to take care The Indians will face of the ball and rebound,”

adds Cramer. “And we can’t afford mental lapses. If we don’t come out ready to play from the start it could be another long night.”

Cramer has also reminded his seniors this is their final league tournament.

“I asked them what legacy do they want to leave,” says Cramer. “We came into this tournament seeded sixth and we already knocked off the number-three team. This is a chance to make a statement that we deserved to be seeded higher.”

Tipoff for Friday’s game is at 4:30 p.m.

Cold-shooting Hornets survive against Sainty

Kevin Lozano, a 148-pound freshman, collects back points against a Wichita County opponent during the Scott City Classic.

(Record Photo)

Kropp He continued that pattern of domination at the Scott City Classic where he pinned his first opponent and followed with technical falls over his next two, including a 17-2 win over Colton Northrup (Leoti) in the finals.

“My game plan is to tech fall and pin people, which is probably everyone’s game plan. I seem to be getting it done,” he says.

As good as he’s been so far this season, Kropp is trying to follow head coach Jon Lippelmann’s advice and get more falls.

“I really need to work on pinning people. I had trouble with that last year.

The sooner you get off the mat the better. There’s always something that can happen. No matter what kind of record the other kid has you can still get caught and things can happen,” he says.

Even though he’s the defending 160-pound champion at Lexington, Kropp anticipates another tough tournament field with teams from Lincoln, Omaha and traditional powerhouse Kearney among those in attendance.

“I had a real dominat-

(continued from page 17)

ing tournament there last year, but you never know who will be there. Hopefully, I’ll run into a barnburner bracket and have some fun,” he adds.

Brother Wins Silver The younger Kropp, Wyatt, was a silver medalist in the 14-team field at this year’s Classic for his best tournament finish of the season.

The 148-pound sophomore pinned his first two opponents and was locked in a tight match with Jared Pfeifer (Ellis) before getting caught in a move and put to his back for a fall with just three seconds left in the opening period.

“I know he was looking to win in front of the home crowd, but we saw some progress from Wyatt. Now we want to keep that going this weekend when we go to Nebraska,” says Lippelmann.

The only other SCHS medalist was Zach Tucker who claimed a bronze in the 106-pound division.

The junior won by a fall over Trayton Kroeger (Ellis) and a 17-1 technical fall against Alex Rowe (Holcomb) but lost his other two matches by falls in a round-robin bracket.

As a team, the Beavers (73.5) finished seventh, behind Liberal (142.5), Leoti (108), St. Francis (101), Ellis (99), Ulysses (96.5) and Holly, Colo.

(94.5).

While a couple of young matmen picked up their first varsity win and freshman Trey Loftis (160) lost in overtime to the eventual champion, Lippelmann was more focused on “all the things that aren’t working for us.”

“We need to get our young kids to respond from help in the corner.

They aren’t changing their ways,” he says. “Until they do, they aren’t going to see different results.”

The emphasis during practice for the young wrestlers through the remainder of the season is to develop a “go-to” move in all three positions - top, bottom and on their feet.

“If they don’t have a move they can go to for a takedown when they’re needing a shot, or a move they can hit for an escape or when they need to turn someone to their back for points, then we’re in deep trouble,” says the head coach. “Right now, we’re in deep trouble because our young kids don’t have

those moves in their arsenal.

“And some of our older kids who should know better still have bad habits which are keeping them from being as successful as they could be. They drop to a hip, their heads are hanging and some aren’t using their feet like they should,” says Lippelmann.

“The good news is that we still have time this season to make some of this happen. It comes down to how badly we want to change some of the things we’re doing.”

Except for the Great Western Activities Conference dual tournament in another two weeks, the Beavers will see their squad split between varsity and JV tournaments.

Both divisions are being offered at Lexington.

Only about a half dozen boys will compete in the varsity division at the Garden City tournament the following weekend with the rest of the team competing at a JV tournament in Larned.

“Our focus is going to be on giving some of these kids their best chance at success and building their confidence for next season,” adds Lippelmann.

It’s not often that a team can outscore their opponent in only one of four quarters and still claim a win.

The Dighton High School boys needed an extra period to escape St. Francis with a 52-47 Northwest Kansas League win last Friday.

The Hornets overcame a miserable night from the field (18-of-60) and were just 15-of-25 at the line.

“I believe we only hit one shot from outside the lane and that was a three-pointer by Tyler (Lingg),” says head coach Dean Cramer.

The only quarter in which Dighton was able to outscore St. Francis during regulation was the second when they held a 12-3 edge and built a 19-13 cushion at the half. That scoring run erased an early 10-1 deficit for DHS. That nearly proved enough for the Hornets who were still protecting a three point lead, 42-39, with 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

“I should have had the boys foul. We still had four to give without putting them on the line,” says Cramer.

“But I had the boys play it out and avoid an unnecessary foul.”

St. Francis took advantage by hitting a three-pointer at the final buzzer to send the game into overtime.

“I felt comfortable heading into overtime. I had confidence in the way we were playing and their point guard had fouled out,” Cramer notes. “We did a good job of getting the ball inside to our big people.”

Freshman guard Tyler Lingg led the team with 13 points and six rebounds while senior forward/center Mathew Barnett added 12 points and five boards.

Senior center Sam Moomaw scored nine points and matched his season high with seven rebounds - six coming under the offensive glass.

“It was a good win. We need to learn how to win the close games,” said Cramer.

The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Takedown Kids Club Hutchinson Tournament January 18, 2014 6-Years and Under 49C: Brodey Rohrbough dec. by Ty Schmeidler (Hays), 4-2; pinned by Matthew Wheeler (Scott City), 0:32.

49C: Matthew Wheeler pinned Kayden Schmidtberger (Pratt), 0:56; dec. by Coby Robinson (Garden Plain, 4-2; pinned Brodey Rohrbough (Scott City), 0:32; dec. by Luis Zuniga (Hutchinson), 10-7.

7-8-Years-Old: 64A: Collin McDaniel pinned Kamden Wise (Halstead), 0:58; pinned Karter Wolf (Hoisington), 0:15; pinned Matthew Montoya (SW Grapplers), 0:43. First place.

9-10-Years-Old: 70A: Conner Armendariz dec. Jace Woodrow (Lakin), 7-4; pinned by Parker McMahon (Wichita Wrestling Club), 3:00; pinned Drew Bugner (Brawlers), 0:36; pinned Angel Simmons (Wichita Blue Knights), 0:47; dec. Brent Bachar (Hoisington), 2-0. First place.

82A: Leightyn Heim dec. Dallas Gould (Valley Center), 7-0; dec. Kael Lane (Jr. Panthers), 6-3; lost by maj. dec. to Matthew Morrell (Maize), 9-1. Second place.

85A: Kale Wheeler pinned Brandon Jeffries (Salina), 0:42; pinned Charles Pearson (Kansas Young Guns), 2:48; dec.

Nolan Craine (Mulvane), 5-0; pinned Nathan Fury (Wichita Wrestling Club), 1:45. First place.

110A: Ronnie Weathers pinned by Gilbert Ortiz (Carroll Jr.), 0:56; pinned by Dalton Dale (Hays), 0:36; pinned by Tanner Luttig (Smoky Valley), 0:56. Fourth place.

120-130: Jarron Gregory pinned Jonah Scott (McPherson), 1:48; pinned Lyndsey Buechman (Abilene), 2:51; pinned Michael Cunningham (Renegades), 2:30; dec.

by Blayze Standley (Russell), 5-0. Second place.

11-12-Years-Old: 84A: Justus McDaniel pinned Rowdy Martin (Ulysses), 0:52; tech. fall Dillon Moler (Valley Center), 16-0; pinned Braydon Lemuz (Larned), 0:30; pinned Seth Doud (Wichita Blue Knights), 0:40. First place.

92A: Kaden Wren pinned Brandon Fiedler (Wichita Blue Knights), 0:42; pinned Noah Salazar (Jr. Panthers), 0:21; pinned Taron Burkhart (Hays), 0:28; tech. fall Levi Sutton (Salina), 15-0. First place.

92B: Braylin Heim pinned Raymond Johnston (Hillsboro), 3:00; pinned by Josh Weideman (Greater Gold), 2:31; pinned by Michael Casement (Maize), 4:13. Third place.

120: Cale Goodman dec. by Gage Fritz (Great Bend), 9-4; pinned Chandler Blackwell (Hoisington), 0:44; maj. dec.

Alexaier Rodriguez (Greater Gold), 11-0; pinned by Dakotah Whiteley (Abilene). Third place.

13-14-Years-Old: 90-95: Kaden Wren pinned Tayton Casanova (Hutchinson), 0:58; pinned Jason Wagoner (Wichita Blue Knights), 1:29; tech. fall Ethan Jeffries (Salina), 15-0; pinned Joe Barrientos (SW Grapplers); pinned Payton Sadowski (Andover), 1:11.

First place.

Meade Tournament January 18, 2014

Team Scott City

Holcomb Hugoton

Goodland Ulysses Colby Team Holcomb Hugoton

Goodland Colby

Ulysses

Scott City

Team

Oberlin Novice Tournament January 19, 2014 6-Years and Under 40: Hunter Wells, 2nd 43: Kaine Unger, DNP 7-8-Years-Old: 58: Camden Vulgamore 2nd

(continued from page 18)

Parks. “Tribune switched to a more sagging man-toman defense which kept our guards from getting into the lane. That was the difference over the last three quarters. And we couldn’t hit an outside shot either.”

The Indians also dominated the glass early in the game, getting second-chance opportunities at their end of the floor and often times limiting the cold-shooting Jackrabbits to a single shot.

Sheppard, a senior center, scored all eight of his points in the first half while senior guard Casey Day scored all five of his points by the intermission. Budde finished with a team high 18 points - 16 coming in the second half - while Fletcher, who fouled out with 2:42 remaining, added 11 points.

“A win’s a win, but we should have taken care of business a lot better than we did,” added Parks. “We need to play four quarters of ball so we don’t put ourselves in this situation.”

League W L 4

0

2

2

3 2

2 0

1 2 3

5

4

0

2

2

3 2 2 0

1 3 3

4

League W L

Dighton

1

Hoxie

5

Leoti

2

Oberlin

St. Francis Quinter

WaKeeney Tribune Team Hoxie

Dighton Leoti

Tribune Oberlin

Atwood

PF

PA

Strk

7

1

511

232

6 W

5

4

509

502

1

L

2

L

8 4

5

0

2 6

5

9

Overall W L

604 528 517

441

2 2 1

1 1

0

0

1 2

2 2 2

3

1

3

4

0

1

0

4 1 1

1

Sharon Springs 0 0

0

0 0 1 1

1 1

2

567 548

618 PA

2 W 1 0

L L

Strk

9

1

642

408

1

L

6

3

378

353

2

L

1

L

9 4 3

1

1 5 7

6

Overall W L

598 353 472

234

406 384 557

360

2 W

1 W 4

L

PF

PA

Strk

7

0

502

393

7 W

6

4

499

454

3 W

9 4 7 5

5

4

0 1

1 8 4 5

5

6

9 6

Girl’s Division

League W L

473

PF

Northwest Kansas League Boy’s Division 0

Atwood

Overall W L

Girl’s Division

League W L

Sharon Springs 3

Quinter

SCHS Wrestling

Great West Activities Conference Boy’s Division

St. Francis

9-10-Years-Old 120-130: Lance Miller dec. Alex Rivero (Liberal), 7-4; dec.

Rivero (Liberal), 3-0. First place.

Budde

League Standings

Overall W L

649 550 655 495 533

508

382 679

9 W 1

L

3

L

564

1

L

419

1

L

633 504 532

2 W 2

335

489

PF

PA

Strk

296

9

L

L

7

0

498

237

7 W

2

5

288

317

1

L

3

L

2

L

9 1 3

2

1 1 0

1 4 4

6

2 6 5

518 136 287 343

101

228 172

274 237 271 380

133

322 334

7 W 1 W 3

3 5

L L L

Scott City Classic January 18, 2014 • in Scott City Team scores: Liberal 142.5, Leoti 108, St. Francis 101, Ellis 99, Ulysses 96.5, Holly (Colo.) 94.5, Scott City 73.5, Holcomb 66, Cimarron 57, Larned 56, Hoxie 54, Lakin 40.5, Tribune 28, Sublette 20 106: Zach Tucker pinned by Adrian Orozco (Liberal), 4:41; pinned Trayton Kroeger (Ellis), 5:57; pinned Alex Villaneuva (Cimarron), 0:25; tech. fall Alex Rowe (Holcomb), 17-1; pinned by Bryce Bacon (Hoxie), 3:20. Third place.

120: Irvin Lozano pinned by Lane Ridder (Leoti), 1:31; pinned Brittney Baxley (Lakin), 2:20; pinned by Chase Ramsey (Scott City), 0:59.

120: Chase Ramsey pinned Ty Dittmer (Tribune), 1:08; pinned by Dalton Hensley (Ellis), 0:36; pinned Irvin Lozano (Scott City), 0:59; dec. by Payton Yancey (Liberal), 5-2.

138: Kevin Aguilera pinned by Greg McClurg (Liberal), 1:30; pinned by Drake Rowh (Hoxie), 4:20.

138: Jesse Anchondo pinned by Garrett Brunk (St. Francis), 3:04; dec. Kaler Gilbert (Ulysses), 9-2; dec. by Cody Toothaker (Cimarron), 2-1.

148: Wyatt Kropp pinned Zane Anderson (Ulysses), 0:38; pinned Justin Pacheco (St. Francis), 4:26; pinned by Jared Pfeifer (Ellis), 1:57. Second place.

152: Abe Wiebe pinned by Landon Younger (Ellis), 1:28; dec. by Garrett Janda (Holcomb), 9-2.

160: Trey Loftis dec. Edwin Soblvarro (Liberal), 7-3; dec.

by Erich Eisenbise (Holcomb), 11-6 OT; dec. by Angel Moncayo (Ulysses), 8-4.

170: Warren Kropp pinned Owen Waters (Cimarron), 0:41; tech. fall Octavio Arredondo (Liberal), 17-0; pinned Justin Tate (Lakin), 1:47; tech. fall. Colton Northrup (Leoti), 17-2. First place.

182: Tre Stewart pinned by Jared Burrows (Lakin), 1:31; pinned by Victor Monarrez (Liberal), 2:36; pinned by Bryce Mason (Leoti), 0:37; pinned by Brandon Groff (Ellis), 4:33; pinned Zeke Engler (Holcomb), 4:08. Fifth place.

195: Garrett Osborn pinned by AJ Cooper (Cimarron), 1:21; maj. dec. Remington Trevino (Sublette), 9-0; pinned by Skyler Hoch (Larned), 2:18.

285: Cole Birney pinned by Zach Crick (Cimarron), 1:20; pinned by Brandon Palmer (Holly), 1:48.

The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

2014 Orange and Black Classic

Boy’s Bracket • January 23-25 • at Colby McCook

Thursday • 8:15 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Friday 3:00 p.m.

High School

Saturday • 2:00 p.m.

High School

4th Place

Colby Scott City

Thursday • 4:45 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Burlington

Palmer Ridge

Friday 8:15 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Saturday • 8:15 p.m.

Community Bldg. Champion

Thursday • 6:30 p.m.

High School Friday 6:30 p.m.

High School

Liberal Hugoton Thursday • 3:00 p.m.

High School

Friday 4:45 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Wichita West

7th Place

Saturday • Noon Community Bldg.

Saturday • 4:00 Community Bldg.

3rd Place

2014 Orange and Black Classic

Girl’s Bracket • January 23-25 • at Colby Hugoton

Thursday • 4:45 p.m.

High School Friday 4:45 p.m.

High School

SCHS sophomore Heath Briggs puts up a jumper during Friday’s junior varsity action against Colby.

(Record Photo)

4th Place

Strong start more than enough for SCHS JV win For 10 minutes the Scott Community High School junior varsity boys may have played some of their best ball of the season.

But what they did during the next 22 minutes overshadowed that early success.

“It was a learning opportunity,” said coach Brian Gentry following his team’s 43-27 win.

His disappointment was in how SCHS (3-1) finished after jumping out to a 24-2 lead.

Part of that was to be expected as he began rotating different players

into the lineup. Part of it was the Beavers’ inability to attack a 1-3-1 zone defense.

“We didn’t play well against their zone. We need better ball movement,” says Gentry. “If you aren’t working for shots then you can fall into a rut passing the ball around on the perimeter.”

The first 10 minutes was a clinic by the Beavers who dominated play at both ends of the floor.

A fastbreak layup by Chantz Yager opened up an early 6-0 lead. Following a basket by the Eagles, Scott City scored 18 unan-

Turnovers (K-State, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State) in conference games. All four of those teams lack big-time post players.

That’s not taking anything away from Embiid, but he wouldn’t be as dominating against teams like Michigan State, Syracuse or Kentucky that are well-stocked with big inside players.

Perry Ellis is in a slump and not playing nearly as well as he did earlier in the season. Ellis is a young man who is so conscientious about his play that he loses his confidence if he misses a shot or two. But Ellis has proven he can play at a high level and he’ll come out of it.

Wildcats are Second Following this week’s win over Baylor, KU (50) is on top of the Big 12.

Kansas State (4-2) is in a three-way tie for second place after Tuesday’s loss to Texas. Despite the recent loss, head coach Bruce Weber has the

swered points during the next six minutes.

Freshman Bo Hess scored all six of his points before the quarter ended while freshman Kyle Cure scored four of his seven points during that stretch. Freshman guard Drew Duff, who finished with seven points, opened the second period with a three-point basket and Jess Drohman added a basket to make it a 24-2 game with 5:51 left in the half.

Colby was never closer than 16 points the rest of the night.

Yager finished with a team high 14 points.

(continued from page 20)

Wildcats playing above expectations. Their ball handling is stellar.

The Wildcats are the quickest team in the Big 12 and they play aggressive and stifling defense.

Weber has them moving the ball with precision on offense and they are becoming solid on both ends of the court.

James Southwell, Jevon Thomas and Nino Williams bring a high level of intensity to every game and all three are gaining confidence and consistency.

K-State’s main shortcoming is lack of size in the pivot. If the Wildcats had two or more talented post players, they could compete with anyone.

Thomas Gipson is playing well at center, despite a lack of height and jumping ability.

As it is, Kansas State is a handful for all comers in Bramlage Coliseum.

day, Wichita State (20-0, 6-0) maintains their hold on the No. 5 spot in the national rankings.

The Shockers are going to make a shambles of the Missouri Valley race and will be certain of a favorable seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Gregg Marshall has another exceptional defensive team and they are fundamentally sound on offense. Guards Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet have been leading the way, but the Shockers have quality depth and balanced scoring.

Santana Still Unsigned Ervin Santana was a highly effective starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals last season.

So far, the free agent has not signed with another team. KC offered him a $14 million one-year contract.

Santana’s agent says his client likes everything about Kansas City and Shockers Still Perfect After beating Illinois there’s still a chance the State (70-55) on Wednes- Royals could sign him.

Saturday • 2:00 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Sunrise Christian Palmer Ridge

Thursday • 8:15 p.m.

High School

Scott City Colby

Friday 3:00 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Saturday • 6:00 p.m.

Community Bldg. Champion

Thursday • 6:30 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Friday 8:15 p.m.

High School

Burlington McCook Thursday • 3:00 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Friday 6:30 p.m.

Community Bldg.

Liberal

7th Place

Saturday • Noon High School

Friend One turned upside down will then become your seat, while the other holds your fish. Fitted with a lid of some description, one bucket can do both.

When a fish is caught, simply jump up, lift the lid, deposit the fish then close the lid and repose yourself again. For you intense ice fishermen (you know who you are) this also hides your catch from prying eyes.

In any fishing situation, plastic five-gallon buckets are the ideal tool for transporting fish. Once home, they again spring into action as the supreme vessel to hold all the “byproduct” when cleaning your catch.

Bass Pro even sells a fish cleaning board specially made to fit the top of one. I also found a kit containing all the necessary parts to turn a fivegallon bucket into an aerated bait container.

Though fishing seems to bring out the best in five-gallon buckets, hunters also benefit from them.

Again, they are the cat’s meow for carrying equipment to and from a blind or stand. To carry all my trapping supplies I use one fitted with a canvas tool carrier.

Though small camp

Saturday • 4:00 High School

3rd Place

(continued from page 18)

chairs are probably more comfortable for a long wait, the buckets again excel as seats. Cabela’s offers a variety of seats, all made to fit five-gallon buckets. One named the “Silent Spin Bucket Seat,” is equipped with bearings like a lazy susan, allowing a hunter to swivel and see in different directions.

This seat can be purchased alone, with an added storage pouch that drapes around the bucket, or with an attached “stadium” seat, complete with back.

Kits are also available with all the components needed to convert our friend the bucket into a hanging deer feeder (a nice camouflage colored number is probably best suited here.)

Not a hunter or fisherman, and feeling left out?

Wait, there’s more!

What’s the most logical use for a plastic fivegallon bucket around the campsite? Right, you are!

I found several products to turn five-gallon buckets into portable camp toilets.

One called “Luggable Loo” is a toilet seat and lid that the company says, “effortlessly snaps on and off” any five-gallon bucket, and allows you to “stop dreading the call of nature when enjoying your next

hunting, fishing or camping trip.”

On the web, I discovered a drinking water filtration system, once featured in “Popular Mechanics,” called The Mission Water Filter System, sold by the Eagle Springs Co. It uses chlorine tablets or household bleach, and special filters, housed in . . . you guessed it: two plastic five-gallon buckets!

Now even in the outdoor sporting world, I imagine I’ve just scratched the surface as to the myriads of uses for the plastic five-gallon bucket. Quite amazing, actually, from something that is usually a by-product itself.

Think about it. We buy them full of some product, use the product and are left with the bucket, which, in some cases, is probably more useful than the product inside! Truly man’s best friend!

I guess I’ll stop here to stretch my legs. My chair broke, so I’m finishing this week’s column while sitting on a plastic fivegallon bucket. Now where is that Silent Spin seat I just bought?

Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom.net

Arnold, for SCHS grad, is Highland’s new head coach Having been part of one of the biggest - if not the biggest - turnaround in Jayhawk Conference football history, Aaron Arnold now gets to see the Highland Community College program from a different perspective - as its head coach.

The former Scott Community High School player accepted the position after being the offensive line coach and assistant head coach for the past three seasons.

Former head coach Ryan Held was hired as the head coach at Northeastern Oklahoma and within a matter of just three days the position was offered to Arnold.

“As an assistant coach I was beyond ready,” says Arnold.

As the assistant head coach, Arnold says he was already deeply involved with the athletes and various aspects of the program. He expects no problems making the transition to head coach.

“As an assistant you wonder if you’ll ever get the opportunity. For me, it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time,” says Arnold.

Actually, it was more than luck.

After playing football at Garden City Community College and Kansas State University, Arnold continued his career as a strength coach under KSU’s Bill Snyder for three seasons, after which he served as a strength coach at Texas Tech Uni-

Eagles “I feel like I’m getting more comfortable with every game. I’m seeing the gaps (in the defense) better and I’m getting to them,” Pounds says.

“When that happens, Trey gets me the ball.”

SCHS added to its nine point scoring run early in the second period with a pair of free throws

by Brayden Strine and a three-point basket by sophomore guard Dylan Hutchins that extended the lead to 25-12 with 4:32 on the clock.

Hutchins, who was 2-of-4 from three-point range, added another long field goal late in the half as the Beavers took a 37-19 lead into the locker room.

O’Neil scored eight straight points - starting with a free throw to end the first half. At the end of his scoring run the

Once we got that first recruiting class in and got kids to believe in us they helped us to recruit.

That was a big factor in our success. It literally brings a tear to my eye to think of what these kids did for us. It was blind faith on their part.

Aaron Arnold HCC head coach

versity under coach Tommy Tuberville.

In his three seasons at Highland it was no accident that as the offensive line under Arnold become one of the best, not only in the Jayhawk Conference but in the nation, the Scotties rose from league doormat to a playoff caliber program.

In 2013, the Highland offense led the Jayhawk Conference in total offense (428 ypg) and finished sixth nationally in passing offense (301 ypg).

HCC, which finished with a 6-4 record, made their first-ever Region VI playoff appearance. That included a regular season win over perennial powerhouse Butler Community College - Butler’s first home loss since 2005.

The six wins was more than HCC had won in their previous five years combined.

“We were the first staff to ever take this program to the playoffs. That’s a big reason I was a lead candidate,” Arnold says.

The turnaround in

Highland’s fortunes “wasn’t that complicated,” Arnold says.

“We made it a priority that we weren’t going to get outworked in recruiting. We built relationships with players in the area. We watched football games and did the in-home and in-school visits,” he says. “We sold ourselves.

“Once we got that first recruiting class in and got kids to believe in us they helped us to recruit. That was a big factor in our success. It literally brings a tear to my eye to think of what these kids did for us.

It was blind faith on their part.”

Since Arnold’s arrival at Highland, the offense has seen a total improvement of over 285 yards and more than 14 points per game.

Success Begins at Home Arnold dismisses the idea that the addition of eight more out-of-state recruits to each roster in the conference played a role in Highland’s turnaround.

“I can’t say for certain how the rule change impacted us,” he says.

“I think it will make the entire conference more competitive with other conferences who already had those extra DI caliber boys on their roster.

“But I still believe that the success of any program in this state comes down to who has the best Kansas kids on their roster,” he says.

And make no mistake

(continued from page 17)

Beavers had built a 44-22 lead.

O’Neil finished off his 20 point night with a pair of field goals to close out the second half which was the start of a 12-0 scoring burst for Scott City. Meyer, who finished with a double-double (11 points/10 rebounds) opened the fourth quarter with a trey and a few moments later added another field goal.

Senior Keigun Wells came off the bench to score a basket and junior guard Chantz Yager added a trey which put SCHS on top, 60-26, with 4:11 remaining.

While O’Neil finished with his second lowest scoring night of the season, he offset that with a season high nine assists.

Even though the SCHS defense wasn’t as sharp as usual - allowing Colby

to penetrate to the basket on numerous occasions they still finished with 21 steals. Meyer had a season-high six steals while Strine and Pounds each added four.

And they held the Eagles 16 points below their season average.

It was more than enough to extend Scott City’s win streak to six games as they enter tournament play this week at Colby.

Pounds isn’t surprised at the team’s early-season success.

“We’re right where I thought we could be. We felt we could be a better team than a lot of people were probably expecting,” he says. “But we still have room to improve. We can still play better defense and become a much better team.

The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Aaron Arnold walks the sideline as an assistant coach for Highland Community College this past season.

about the influence that another coach a short distance away has on Arnold’s approach to the sport.

“When I was a player, Coach Snyder would wear us out with the way he was so organized and with his disciplined approach. I learned to appreciate him so much more once I started working for him. I see how the values he brings to a program make it successful,” says Arnold.

“I’ve brought his philosophy into our program as an assistant and I’ll continue doing so as the head coach.”

Arnold is developing his own core of eight val-

ues for the team that are patterned after Snyder’s “16 Goals to Success” which are part of the fabric of K-State football.

He’s also learned from Snyder that “it’s not about finding the best players, but finding the right players.”

The most immediate goal for Highland’s new head coach is to close out the recruiting class and to build on the momentum of the past season.

“We’ll have another good Kansas class. It will be a little smaller than last year because we still have a good number of boys on campus,” he notes.

As Arnold begins the

next chapter in his coaching life he hasn’t forgotten the values and the foundation that were established in Scott City. Former acquaintances have been very supportive with numerous Facebook postings, text messages and calls offering congratulations.

“It’s really made my first job as a head coach even more special,” adds Arnold. “The support has been truly moving.”

Arnold’s coaching debut will be close to his former home when Highland opens its season with a road game against Garden City Community College in August.

The Scott County Record

Business

Page 25 - Thursday, January 23, 2014

‘Kill-a-Watt’ can help cut energy costs Looking for ways to save energy and money? Tracking your electricity usage is the first step in reducing both areas.

Wheatland Electric Cooperative is introducing a new device called the “Kill-A-Watt EZ Monitoring Meter” to help members identify which of their appliances are using the most electricity - and where they can save money by cutting usage.

Members can begin checking out the devices at all local libraries in the cooperative’s service area. Devices are limited to a two-week checkout.

“Becoming aware of how your home uses energy is key to reducing usage and costs,” said Wheatland General Manager Bruce Mueller.

“This free resource is to help our members make better informed decisions on how to save energy and control costs.”

The Kill-A-Watt device simply plugs into a wall outlet and then plug your appliance or electronic device into the monitor. Kill-A-Watt then monitors how much electricity the appliance is using and displays the result on a small screen, showing the usage and the cost associated with that usage.

There are devices, two at each library in the cooperative’s service territory. These include libraries in Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.

The device comes with instructions and information about using the Kill-A-Watt EZ.

Midwest Energy customers hit by e-mail scam Several Midwest Energy customers have reported an e-mail scam, where an e-mail with the subject line “Energy Statement” arrives in their inbox. Though the body of the E-mail reads “PG&E Energy Statement,” the letters PG&E are difficult to read.

The “statement” shows a large account balance, and urges the reader to “click here” to see their most recent statement. But the link takes the user to a page that is set up to install a variant of the Kuluoz malware, a Trojan that’s designed to download additional threats onto infected computers, and opens their computer to other malware.

Pacific Gas and Electric, which serves customers in California, has alerted its customers to the scam on its webpage, however, it has spread to computers nationwide from the e-mail contacts list in infected computers.

“We urge anyone who gets an e-mail like this to delete it, without opening any links or attachments,” said Michael Sadeghi, Midwest Energy’s Director of Customer Service.

Anyone receiving a call or e-mail from someone claiming to represent Midwest Energy can call (800) 2223121 to verify the person’s identity.

Joseph Beardsley stocks shelves at the new Dollar General location in Scott City.

(Record Photo)

Dollar General move gets good reviews from customers If the first week is any indication, customers are pleased with Dollar General’s relocation to their new building at 1105 S. Main in Scott City.

With wider aisles, more merchandise and a wider selection, what’s not to like?

“It seems like we’ve been busier,” says Yvonne Hall, who has been store manager since April. “We outgrew the other place several years ago. Moving into a larger store has been a long time coming.”

The store had a “soft opening” on January 11 and a grand opening will be held on Sat., Jan. 25.

The 10,000 square foot building on south US83 Highway includes about 7,300 square feet of sales space about 2,000 more than at the previous location.

That has allowed Dollar General to expand the amount and variety of merchandise significantly - particularly in the areas of food, pet food, toys and clothing. Additional coolers have given a boost to food sales, says Hall.

The decision to relocate to a larger store is part of the company’s overall real estate plan, according to Crystal Ghassemi

Wider aisles and more merchandise await customers at Dollar General. (Record Photo)

with Dollar General’s corporate communications.

“With over 11,000 stores across the country, we are constantly looking at opportunities to improve our customers’ shopping experience and this store was identified by our real estate team as one to update to our most current store format,” she says.

Another bonus of the new

site is the parking lot on the east side of the store. Unlike the old site, customers won’t have to worry about backing into busy traffic on US83.

When the store first opened at its new location they briefly experimented with longer hours - staying open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

“It went over well. People liked it,” says Hall.

The store has returned to a 9:00 p.m. closing time while awaiting approval for longer hours from the corporate office.

“I think we’ll be back to the later closing time before long,” Hall adds.

Each Dollar General typically employs 6-10 people. The Scott City site is one of more than 190 stores in Kansas.

Farm

The Scott County Record

Page 26 - Thursday, January 23, 2014

Corporate ag initiative is shelved for 2014

by Phil Cauthon KHI News Service

GREELEY COUNTY Farmer Danny Peter committed what some in rural Kansas consider a cardinal sin: He sold his land to a big corporation so it could build a huge hog farm; biggest in the state, in fact.

“We’ve got a couple neighbors that aren’t

very happy. But they aren’t paying my bills,” said Peter, who lives 12 miles north of Tribune in Greeley County.

“As long as they’re controlling the waste, the smell isn’t that bad,” Peter said. “But I guarantee you that anyone living down windfall is going to have some smelly days.”

In 2010, the Greeley County commission voted

ag briefs

N. Dakota group opposes beef checkoff increase An attempt by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association to double the checkoff for beef promotion and education in the state is facing pushback from another association within the state.

The proposed increase would double the checkoff from one dollar to two.

Ranchers in the state would be able to opt for a refund of the second dollar.

The proposition would move the checkoff rate higher for the first time in 30 years.

Half of the $2 fee on every cattle sold would remain in the state while the other half would go to the national beef checkoff program.

The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota President Kenny Graner believes a checkoff fee should be raised nationally, rather than on a state-by-state basis.

Graner says the decision should be made by cattle producers, rather than moving the decision through the legislative process.

Seven states have raised the checkoff. North Dakota would be the eighth if the proposition passes. Two other states have rejected a similar proposal according to IBAND. North Dakota Stockmen’s Association must prove an increase is necessary in order to ask the 2015 Legislature to raise the checkoff fee by a dollar. Checkoff funds have been affected by the decline in national cattle inventory and inflation gradually raising expenses over the past three decades.

Appoint Suppes to state ag advisory board

Ron Suppes, Dighton, has been appointed to serve on an agricultural advocacy, marketing and outreach advisory board for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

The 12 board members will work with the advocacy, marketing and outreach team on the state trademark program, From the Land of Kansas; international agricultural development; agricultural business development and agricultural communication and education program areas.

The board will meet on a biannual basis with the committees meeting quarterly.

Board members serve terms that vary from one to three years. Members were selected based on their knowledge and leadership in specific sectors of the agricultural industry.

to approve Seaboard Farms’ request to build a 132,000-hog facility.

Seaboard is one of the world’s largest producers and packers of pork. That was the same year Peter sold his ground to the food, transportation and energy giant.

Seaboard, which is headquartered in Shawnee Mission, is among the companies that could

possibly benefit from a controversial proposal to relax Kansas laws on corporate agriculture.

Currently, Seaboard and others like it must get permission from county commissioners or win approval from residents at the ballot box before building the massive confined animal operations that in the past few decades have come to

dominate U.S. meat production.

Last year the Department of Agriculture and ag lobbyists began urging legislators to remove those hurdles while making other changes to the law, saying that would help spur jobs and economic growth.

Though that effort will continue, administration officials and major ag

industry lobbyists now say they will not attempt to change the law this year.

“The agency does not intend to pursue consideration of the bills. The ruling from the judicial council deserves full consideration before acting,” said Acting Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey.

(See CORPORATE on page 32)

Understanding American ag as simple as knowing history Tom Parker Kansas Farmers Union

The early 1970s were good times for American agriculture, with expanded exports to the Soviet Union creating higher profits for producers, stimulating rural economies and revitalizing farm implement manufacturing. News from the agricultural sector was generally upbeat.

Then, on June 30, 1975, “Time” magazine ran an expose piece entitled

“Dirty Grain” and suddenly Americans - and the rest of the world - discovered that the U.S. was not a reliable supplier of grain.

By the end of that year 256 criminal indictments were handed down for corruption in a scandal involving private sector grain inspectors, grain prices crashed and the farm crisis spiraled out of control.

“What did this erosion of our credibility do?” Larry Mitchell, Administrator of

the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), asked. “I won’t say the grain scandals were the reason for the farm crisis of the late ‘70s and ‘80s, maybe not even a large reason, but its impact was huge.”

In the following decade hundreds of thousands of farms were foreclosed and over a million family farms were lost.

Then-Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz fought for a federalized system of

inspecting grain to reduce possible conflicts of interest, but he was reminded by the White House Budget Office of President Ford’s initiative to reduce overly-burdensome regulations on the private sector.

The following year Congress established the Federal Grain Inspection Service, to federalize grain export inspection and weighing. Domestic inspection would be voluntary.

(See HISTORY on page 27)

Farm bill is like taking out the trash We have to presort our trash here in Kansas City so we have three trash cans in our garage - one for previously defined recyclables, another for previously defined garbage and the third is a catchall for everything that hasn’t been previously defined.

The first two cans have to be set out on the street late Sunday for Monday morning pick up.

So here’s the Sunday evening ritual: “Hey, honey what’s this and which can do we toss it in?”

“I have no idea, Put it in

ag outlook Chuck Jolley FarmGate blog

that third container.”

So, over the course of several weeks, that third container gets filled to the brim with all kinds of undefined stuff because we can’t make a decision about where those things really belong.

Does that remind you of the farm bill? Over the years it grew with things that were made part of it ‘just because.’

I was reminded of the trash

Market Report Closing prices on January 21, 2014 Winona Feed and Grain Bartlett Grain Wheat..................

White Wheat .......

Milo ....................

Corn ...................

Soybeans ...........

$ 6.06

$ 6.36 $ 4.02 $ 4.30

$ 12.05

Scott City Cooperative Wheat..................

$ 6.06

Milo (bu.).............

$ 4.02

White Wheat .......

Corn....................

Soybeans ...........

Sunflowers..........

ADM Grain

$ 4.02

Corn....................

$ 6.36 $ 4.32

Weather H

L

49 28

January 15

58 25

$ 4.30

January 16

49

27

January 17

54

16

January 18

54 24

January 19

71

January 20

54 28

$ 12.06

$ 15.85

Corn....................

$ 4.37

Sunflowers..........

Milo (bu.).............

White Wheat .......

January 14

$ 6.06

Soybeans............

$ 6.06

$ 6.36

Wheat..................

Milo (bu.).............

Wheat..................

$ 4.07 $ 12.09

$ 16.30

P

20

Moisture Totals January

.14

2014 Total

.14

Have questions about the Scott Community Foundation? call 872-3790 or e-mail: scottcf@wbsnet.org

can analogy when I was browsing through ‘Beyond the Farm Bill,’ a website powered by organically minded foodies.

One of their comments struck me as completely sensible even if much of the rest of the information I found there didn’t pass muster: “The Farm Bill was designed to reign in price volatility, manage supply and protect nature while providing vital nutrition programs for the country’s poor. Instead, it’s been ravaged by constant corporate assault and a Congress too emboldened with industry

money to stand up for our best interests.”

“Providing vital nutrition programs for the nation’s poor” was redefined last year and split off from the farm bill to stand on its own. It should have been fairly easy, then, to look at the real farming issues that were left and pass the remaining bill on its own merits - or demerits, if that’s your political bent.

“The problem, of course, is we’re talking about a Congress whose only notable achievement was an almost total lack of achievement. The House and (See TRASH on page 27)

The Scott County Record • Page 27 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Feed prices moderate after reaching record highs

U.S. hay prices were at record high levels last spring, and have been declining since.

Hay prices in the U.S. generally increased throughout the last crop year, and other hay prices ended the year in April at a record high of $157 per ton.

Prices have declined this crop year to $130/ton

recorded in December.

Reported prices are averages and the range can be wide given varying quality and geographic supply and demand conditions. For example, the highest other hay price in December was $230/ton in Colorado compared to the lowest average price of $68 in North Dakota.

37 Kansas counties are eligible for disaster aid

Trash

The USDA has designated 37 counties in Kansas as primary natural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought.

Area counties include Scott, Lane, Wichita, Gove, Logan, Greeley and Finney.

Qualified farmers in the designated areas are eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration (Jan. 15) to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.

Animal ag protection bill in Congress New Hampshire lawmakers aren’t wasting any time in the new year as they introduce HB110, a bill aimed at making it illegal to witness animal abuse and not report it.

The bill is the first animal abuse reporting bill to be introduced in 2014.

The bill would require anyone who witnesses cruelty to livestock to report the incident to law enforcement within 48 hours or face a $250 fine. State representatives are expected to vote on the bill within the next two weeks.

Animal rights activists have dubbed the bills “ag-gag,” but in reality, they are about reporting abuse where and when it happens.

Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill similar to HB110 last year. Singer Carrie Underwood led a Twitter-fueled charge against it, and Gov. Bill Haslam later vetoed the bill.

HB110 won’t be the only “ag gag” bill on the docket in January.

Indiana’s SB101, also an agricultural protection bill, is before lawmakers.

If passed, the bills could have an impact on the media blitz surrounding undercover abuse videos.

Last year, Colorado officials charged an activist working as a “contractor” for animalrights group Compassion Over Killing for not reporting animal abuse in a timely manner.

The undercover footage was handed to law enforcement two months after the activist stopped working at the farm.

Senate could give expert lessons on grid locking to everyone involved in the George Washington Bridge scandal. At least a few cars per minute were allowed to cross over to the other side, unlike anything trapped inside the Beltway.

The problem is the special interests groups lining up outside every congress-

History The grain scandals of the 1970s aren’t just past history, Mitchell told members of the Kansas Farmers Union during their annual convention in Topeka in early January.

“It’s not that we want to dwell on the past,” he said, “but we need to understand the past in order to understand where we’re going in the future.”

Though it is the second smallest agency in the Department of Agriculture, GIPSA is responsible for a variety of programs that facilitate the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds and related agricultural products, as well as promoting fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and producers.

Mitchell stressed that the grain scandals of the 1970s were symptomatic of larger forces still pushing for the complete eradication of regulations.

A careful reading of Dan Morgan’s “Merchants of Grain,” a history of five major grain companies from their inception to the mid-eighties, was not only the best explanation of the scandals but also an indication of where the U.S. might be heading.

Hay supplies have declined in the U.S. for the last several years. Both the competition for land, due to historically high crop prices, and the 2011 drought in the Southern Plains and more widespread drought in the U.S. in 2012 were major causes for the decline.

However, better moisture conditions for 2013 in

much of the U.S. caused much needed improvement in hay supplies.

In the annual crop production summary report released on Jan. 10, the ag reporting service said all hay harvested in the U.S., at 58.3 million acres in 2013, was a 3.5% increase over the 56.3 million harvested in 2012.

The average U.S. yield per acre for all hay in 2013 was 2.33 tons. That compares to the drought reduced 2.13 tons in 2012, which was the lowest since 1.94 tons recorded in the 1988 severe drought year.

All U.S. hay production in 2013, at almost 136 million tons, was a 13.4% increase over the record

low of 119.9 million tons produced in 2012. For comparison with other drought years, 120.1 million tons were produced in 1976 and 125.7 million was recorded in 1988.

Hay stocks on Dec. 1 on U.S. farms was 89.3 million tons, 16.7% above the historically low Dec. 1, 2012, stocks of 76.5 million.

won’t happen until late January.

In fact, the committee meeting is not expected to happen until at least January 27.

To fully understand who stands for what, though, is it time to break up the farm bill again and redefine what goes into each container?

Do we need one bill

to manage price volatility, another to protect nature, etc. etc. etc.? Or if we have to accept that Washington is incapable of passing one bill after several years of wrangling, is offering up half-a-dozen in its place a fool’s errand?

By the way, that promised Monday morning pickup? It usually doesn’t happen until Monday afternoon.

(continued from page 26)

person’s office to offer their heart-felt pleas for special consideration and their “assistance” in the next election cycle remind me of the photos of all those cars trying to get out of Ft. Lee last year.

There is a traffic jam of incredible proportions.

Many of those groups are at odds with each other, leaving our elected officials at a loss as to whom

they should sell their souls.

The farm bill seems like it might become a victim of yet another “continuing resolution” until the auctioning of elected officials’ votes is done, giving a broader meaning to the term “sale barn.” The latest best guess from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) is final action

(continued from page 26)

Standard Act, for instance, has been controversial since its beginning. In 2005 when the act came up for reauthorization, many major grain companies lobbied to return to private grain inspections similar to the 1970s, Mitchell said.

Farm organizations such as the Kansas Farmers Union rallied to defeat the measure and continue a federal system of grain inspection.

Mitchell predicted a similar, if not tougher fight, when the act is up for reauthorization next year.

When Mitchell was hired to lead the agency, he reread Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle,” a novel that exposed health violations and abuses of America’s meatpacking industry during the early 1900s.

Though the book brought about many necessary changes, including the Packers and Stockyards Act, legislation since then has been contested at every turn.

“We still have a long way to go,” he said. “The act is a former remnant of what it was.”

Mitchell also spoke on changes in farming practices and of the constant battle for small producers and farmers to compete with increasingly powerGrains Standard Act ful corporate interests.

The Federal Grains “I don’t think agri-

culture is always asking for special treatment,” Mitchell said, “it’s asking for equal treatment.”

Farmers and producers need to learn to work together for the common good, he said.

Unfortunately, agricultural groups often tend to disdain others even when their similarities are more than their differences.

“Too often farmers are crop bigots,” Mitchell said. Beans and corn, the major staples, are prioritized while fruits and vegetables lag behind.

Jimmy Carter, for instance, wasn’t known as a farmer, he was referred to by most farmers as a peanut farmer, Mitchell said, “and in farmer jargon that means he was knocked down two or three pegs because of it.”

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The Scott County Record • Page 28 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

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

Dirks Earthmoving Co.

Preconditioning and Growing

Precision Land Forming of terraces and waterways; feed lot pens and ponds; building site preparation; lazer equipped

Jerry Doornbos, DVM Home - 872-2594 Cell - 874-0949 Stuart Doornbos Home - 872-2775 Cell - 874-0951

Richard Dirks • Scott City, Ks.

• 45 Years Experience • Managed and owned by full-time DVM • 2,000 Head capacity Office - 872-5150 • Scott City

(Home) 872-3057 • 877-872-3057 (Cell) 872-1793

Medical

Sager’s Pump Service • Irrigation • Domestic • Windmills • Submersibles

Cell: 874-4486 • Office 872-2101

ELLIS AG SERVICES

Charles Purma II D.D.S. P.A.

• Custom Manure Conditioning • Hauling and Spreading • Custom Swathing and Baling • Rounds-Net or Twine • Gyp and Sand Sales • Pickup or Delivery

General Dentistry, Cosmetics, and Insurance Accepted

We welcome new patients.

324 N. Main • Scott City • 872-2389 Residence 872-5933

Call Brittan Ellis • 620-874-5160

Automotive

Horizon Health

Willie’s Auto A/C Repair

For your home medical supply and equipment needs!

Willie Augerot Complete A/C Service Mechanic Work and Diagnostics Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

We service and repair all that we sell.

404 Kingsley • Scott City • 874-1379

Red

1602 S. Main • Scott City • 872-2232 Toll Free : 1-866-672-2232 Specializing in

all coatings t Paint i or any other color

Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center

Paint inside and out residential, commercial, and industrial.

Free estimates and 16 plus years of experience.

(Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”...

Technology Lead Chiropractic

PC Painting, Inc.

Dr. James Yager • Dr. Marlyn Swayne Dr. Robert Fritz

Paul Cramer 620-290-2410 620-872-8910 www.pcpaintinginc.com

Pro Ex II

Over 20 Years Experience

Professional Extermination Commercial & Residential

110 W. 4th St. • Scott City • 872-2310 Toll Free: 800-203-9606

• Termites • Rodents • Soil Sterilization • Pre Treats • Lawn Care • Fly Parasites

John Kropp, Owner • Scott City 874-2023 (cell) • 872-3400 (office) • prox2@live.com

Landscaping • Lawn/Trees Scott City Myofascial Release

Berning Auction

Sandy Cauthon

“Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”

RN

105 1/2 W. 11th St. Scott City 620-874-1813

For all your auction needs call:

(620) 375-4130

Call me to schedule your Myofascial Release

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti

SPENCER PEST CONTROL RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL Termite Baiting Systems • Rodents Weed Control • Structural Insects Termite Control Box 258, Scott City • (620) 872-2870

Call today for a Greener Healthier Lawn

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

Turner Sheet Metal

Heating & Air Conditioning

Heating & Cooling Systems Since 1904 Commercial & Residential Owner, Chris Lebbin • 620-214-4469

Construction/Home Repair

CHAMBLESS 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

1851 S. Hwy. 83 • Scott City 872-2954 Shop • 1-800-201-2954

Ron Turner Owner

Walker Plumbing, Inc. 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

Scott City Clinic Daniel R. Dunn, MD Family Practice

872-2187

Matthew Lightner, MD Family Practice

Christian E. Cupp, MD William Slater, MD Family Practice

Libby Hineman, MD Family Practice

Josiah Brinkley, MD Family Practice

General Surgeon

Megan Dirks, AP, RN-BC Ryan Michels, PA Mindy Schrader, PA

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The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

Professional Directory Continued

Fur-Fection

Retail

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.

Opportunities

Truck Driving

FIND COMPANIES in the Kansas Plains that Start With Trust ®.

Look for BBB Accredited Businesses in The Solution at bbb.org. Printed copies available. 800-856-2417.

TRAINING. Class ACDL. Train and work for us. Professional and focused CDL training available. Choose between company driver, owner/ operator, lease operator or lease trainer. (877) 3697885. www.centraltruckdrivingjobs.com.

––––––––––––––––––––– EXPERIENCED FLATBED drivers. Regional opportunities now open with plenty of freight and great pay. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com.

––––––––––––––––––––– TRANSFER DRIVERS. Need CDL A or B contract drivers, to relocate vehicles from local body plants to various locations throughout U.S. No forced dispatch. 1-800-501-3783 or www.mamotransportation.com under Careers.

––––––––––––––––––––– PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE. OTR drivers. APU equipped PrePass EZ-pass passenger policy. 2012 and newer equipment. 100% notouch. Butler Transport, 1-800-528-7825. www. butlertransport.com

Help Wanted E L E C T R I C MAINTENANCE Worker I (electric department lineman) wanted for Anthony, Ks. Vocational degree in electricity is preferred. Applications and complete job description: www.anthonykansas.org.

620-842-5434. EOE. ––––––––––––––––––––– C O N T R A C T SALESPERSONS to sell aerial photography of farms. Commission basis, $5,000-$8,000/mo. Proven product and earnings.

Travel required. More info at msphotosd.com or call 877-882-3566.

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

Networktronic, Inc.

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

Brent Rogers

Sales Consultant b.rogers@officesolutionsinc.biz

Northend Disposal

Education

A garbologist company.

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

Scott City • 872-1223 • 1-800-303-3371

PC Cleaning Services, Inc. We'll clean your home, business or do remodeling clean-up Available seven days a week!

Paul Cramer, Owner

620-290-2410

BECOME AN EXPERT in HVAC installation and repair. Pinnacle Career Institute Online HVAC education in as little as 12 months. Call us today: 1-877-651-3961 or go online: www.HVACOnline-Education.com ––––––––––––––––––––– HEAVY EQUIPMENT operator training. Bulldozers, backhoes, excavators. Three weeks handson program. Local job placement assistance.

National certifications.

GI Bill benefits eligible.

1-866-362-6497.

Real Estate MAX YOUR TAX refund. Use your tax refund to purchase your new Claytonhome.

Clayton matches up to $8,000. Less than perfect credit OK. Limited number of tax matches available. Don’t miss out. Call 866-858-6862 for details.

For Sale HAPPY JACK SKIN BALM. Stops scratching and gnawing. Promotes healing and hair growth on dogs and cats suffering from grass and flea allergies without steroids.

Orscheln Farm and Home. www.happyjackinc.com.

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

www.reganjewelers.com

412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142 All Under One Roof

Revcom Electronics

Sporting Goods

Your RadioShack Dealer Two-way Radio Sales & Service

GUN SHOW. Jan. 25-26. Sat. 9:00-5:00; Sunday 9:00-3:00. Kansas Coliseum, Wichita (I-135 and East 85th St. North).

Buy-Sell-Trade. For info call (563) 927-8176.

Locally owned and operated since 1990

1104 Main • Scott City • 872-2625 Find us on Facebook

SharpsShootingSupply.com • (620)398-2395 • Healy, Kansas

Services

Dining

District 11 AA Meetings

Berning Auction

Scott City • Unity and Hope

“Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”

Monday, Wednesday and Friday • 8:00 p.m.

807 Kingsley Last Saturday, Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m.

All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118

For all your auction needs call:

(620) 375-4130

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti

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

www.cmorbutzbbq.com • cmorbutzbbq@gmail.com

A.A. • Al-Anon • Tuesday • 8:30 p.m.

United Methodist Church, 412 College 872-3137 • 872-3343

Dighton • Thursday • 8:30 p.m.

535 Wichita St. • All open meetings 397-5679 • 397-2647

Classifieds

The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

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.

Just Updated!!!

County Plat Maps

STARTER

By

Western Cartographers Available:

• Logan • Wichita • Wallace • Greeley • Kearney Also: • Scott • Ness • Gove • Lane • Finney Pick them up today at:

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

If you’re looking to buy that first home, this might be the one! 2+2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, basement with family room, FA/CA, appliances, and carport.

ONLY $49,500

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

The Scott County Record can work for you! Buy it, Sell it, Find it right here. www.scottcountyrecord.com

TAX SAVINGS, TAX SAVINGS!!!

Now is the time to build your new home while you can take advantage of the Tax Savings offered by the county with other county entities for five years. Build your new home on MAPLE STREET! 5 bedroom house, recently remodeled.

5 lots in Webster addition $35,000 for all 5 lots.

Thomas Real Estate

www.thomasreal-estate.com 914 W. 12th, Scott City, Ks. 67871 Office: (620)-872-7396 Clyde Thomas Cell: (620)-874-1753 Stephanie Shapland Cell: (620)-874-5002

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Business

Help Wanted

Rentals

Real Estate

INDIVIDUAL OFFICE SUITES from one to four rooms available for lease. Leases starting at $250/month including utilities. Common areas available for use including reception and break rooms. Perfect for quiet small business or climate controlled storage.

Former location of Scott City Chiropractic, 1101 S. Main. Call 214-3040 for information.

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You have a Pickup and Trailer? Want to work for yourself? We are looking for you!!! We are looking for self-motivated and dependable individual looking to work as a wholesale food distributor in Western Ks. If you are interested in being your own boss. Email Contact Info. to: guy@just4userv. com 20t5c ––––––––––––––––––– HOUSEKEEPING!!!

Asking $12.50 per hour.

For more information please call 620-2141875 or 214-545-2309.

HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available.

Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, (620)874-2120.

41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– 1 AND 3 BEDROOM houses available and storage units. Come fill out an application at PlainJans or call 620-872-5777.

18tfc

RENOVATED 4 BEDROOM HOUSE for sale.

Brand new kitchen, new wood and tile floors, beautiful lighting throughout, french doors leading to a spacious backyard and patio, DA garage, main floor laundry, partial downstairs with half bath. Serious inquires call Dale Holterman, 620-8741100.

15tfc –––––––––––––––––––– FOR SALE BY OWNER 5 bedroom, finished basement, SA garage, 3000+ sq.ft. living space. 402 S. College, Scott City. Call for appointment, 620-2143103 or after 5:00 p.m.

11tfc 620-874-1005.

––––––––––––––––––––– HOUSE FOR SALE IN DIGHTON 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, fenced-in yard with 2 garages, full basment, central heat/air.

Great neighborhood with nice, caring neighbors.

231 North Wichita. 620786-5706 or 620-61720tfc 8037.

––––––––––––––––––––– 903 MYRTLE, GREAT FIRST HOME 2+2 bedrooms, 2 baths. Just remodeled with a new kitchen and stainless steel appliances. All new windows, doors, flooring, insulation, plumbing and roof. Close to elementary school, which is a plus.

Call for appointment: Clinton Constuction (Darryl or Virginia) 620-8725494 or cell 620-2141456.

24tfc –––––––––––––––––––––

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.

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22t3p

––––––––––––––––––– EVENING/NIGHT PERSON NEEDED. We are looking for a compassionate and caring person who loves working with animals. The job entails working with sows who are giving birth, helping with the process and caring for newborn piglets. Hours can be flexible along with days of work, this is an evening and or night postition. Swine experience a plus but not required, we will train if you have no experience. Please contatct Connor Reichter at Poky Pig 620-872-7046. 24t2c

Agriculture 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

Services WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 87434tfc 4135.

––––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 36tfc 874-1412.

––––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tuneup and blade sharpening.

Call Rob Vsetecka at 62036tfc 214-1730.

––––––––––––––––––––– 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!

HOUSE FOR SALE IN SCOTT CITY. Well built home on double corner lot. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Lots of built-in storage. Over 2,400 square feet, plus 3 season screened porch, double attached garage.

Established yard with underground sprinklers.

42eow 620-353-9933.

The Scott County Record • Page 31 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

Employment Opportunities √ Check us out at www.scottcountyrecord.com SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA HIGH PLAINS EDUCATIONAL COOPERATIVE is seeking a special education ParaProfessional at Scott Community High School to work with students.

The position is available immediately.

For more information and application.

Contact: USD 466, Susan Carter for more details at (620) 872-7600. 22tfc

POOL MANAGER/LIFEGUARD The City of Scott City is accepting applications for pool manager, assistant pool manager and lifeguards.

PARK LANE NURSING HOME

Pick up applications at City Hall, 221 W. 5th St.

Has openings for the following positions:

Applications for manager and assistant will

Full-time CNA night shift Full-time/Part-time CNA/CMA Part-time Nursing-LPN/RN Part-time Transportation Aide

be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on January 28, 2014; lifeguards until February 28, 2014 at City

(M-W-F 1:00-8:00 p.m., must be flexible and have valid DL)

CARETAKER The William Carpenter 4-H Foundation will be hiring a caretaker for the William Carpenter 4-H Building at the Scott County fair grounds.

Job description and application can be picked up at the Scott County Extension Office 303 Court St., Courthouse Scott City, Ks. The applications must be back to the extension office NO later than January 31, 2014, at 5:00 p.m.

23t2c

PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Work full or part-time, year-round with topnotch team providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers in home and community settings.

Will consider pre-graduation internships and tuition assistance.

Competitive pay, great benefits, flexible scheduling, travel required.

Contact Deanna Berry at: 620-275-0291 or send resume to: dberry@rcdc4kids.org www.rcdc4kids.org

Hall.

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”

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BLENDER OPERATOR/ WAREHOUSE/TRUCK DRIVER 22tfc

RNs NEEDED $5000 SIGN ON BONUS Scott County Hospital is looking for full-time Registered Nurses to join our team of dedicated nursing professionals.

We offer diverse nursing opportunites, experienced nursing administrative staff, excellent ratios, competitve wages, shift and weekend differentials, flexible paid time off, call pay and excellent benefits.

Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screen, physical assessment and TB skin test required.

Helena Chemical Company, a national agricultural-chemical company, has an immediate opening for a blender/warehouse operator at the Scott City location.

This is a full-time position; responsibilities include loading and unloading trucks, making deliveries and various other duties assigned by management.

Scott County Hospital 201 Albert Ave. Scott City, KS. 67871 620-872-7772 and on our website: www.scotthospital.net

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Schedule: 3 ½ days weekly average, 3 overnights per week, 40 hours weekly guarantee.

We offer an excellent working environment and outstanding compensation and benefits package.

We offer: Complete benefits package, paid vacation and longevity, paid lodging and per diem and clean working environment.

Pre-employment drug screen required.

EOE M/F/V/H

www.scotthospital.net

Responsibilities: Transport 53’ trailer to medical facilities in NW Kansas, provide patient care on mobile MRI route (paid training).

Qualifications: Class A CDL, ability to pass physical, drug screen and background check and have a safe driving record.

Application: WWW.SHAREDMED.COM Questions: 608-839-9969

Helena Chemical Rodney Wright 1711 S. Main, Scott City, 620-872-2156 Or Andy Smarsh Garden City, 620-275-2156

Applications are available through Human Resources

Immediate Opening Full-time, Scott City based.

Position requires high school diploma or equivalent, ability to obtain a CDL with HAZMAT endorsement, and the ability to operate a forklift.

For consideration, please contact:

Join us today!

CLASS A DRIVER/ MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Able Alphabetical At Awe Ax Bark Bore But Cheer Colors Course Describe Do Drip Echo Experimenting Export Geese Gym Herbs If Inn It Layer Nap Nib Nod Oars Of On

Origin Pants Pop Pots Red Reed Robs Rod Ruled Scares Scrub Stage Stir Tidal To Up Use Van Wedding Win Worrying

SHARED MEDICAL SERVICES An Employee Owned Company Cottage Grove, WI 53527

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WORD SEARCH

GOUNDHOG DAY

The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Ladder Creek farm site in Greeley County is the largest hog-growing facility in Kansas. These five barns are part of a 120-barn facility owned by Shawnee Mission-based Seaboard Farms. Each barn houses up to 1,100 pigs. The operation is located due north of Tribune and east on 12 Mile Road. The facility is currently licensed to house 132,000 pigs, but Seaboard recently applied to expand it to 200,000. If approved, that would make it the second largest hog-growing facility in the nation.

Corporate McClaskey was referring to a forthcoming recommendation to the Legislature from the Kansas Judicial Council on existing corporate agriculture law.

An advisory committee to the council spent several months in the fall reviewing corporate farming laws at the request of Rep. Sharon Schwartz (R-Washington), who chairs the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and Sen. Larry Powell (R-Garden City) who chairs the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

The advisory committee issued a report to the council Dec. 6. The report recommends that Kansas’ corporate ag law be modified to avoid potential conflict with federal interstate commerce laws, but stops short of the sweeping changes sought by the ag department and lobbyists.

Schwartz, one of eight people on the council’s advisory committee, said she planned to discuss the report during the House agriculture committee meeting this week.

“It will be interesting to see if (the report) generates interest, but at this point in time I don’t see the interest in making any changes. I haven’t really polled the committee, so we’ll see,” said Schwartz, whose family farms several crops and is part of a medium-sized swine cooperative in Washington County.

“Unless there’s a huge push for it, which I haven’t seen at this point in time . . . it may just sit here. It would have to have the support of the community or from people who have pushed to make a change,” she said.

Change in Approach The Kansas Farm Bureau is one of the major farm groups that pushed last year for passage of corporate farming changes via House Bill 2404 and its upper-chamber counterpart, Senate Bill 191.

Terry Holdren, chief executive and general counsel for the Farm

(continued from page 26)

Bureau, said the group still strongly supports the bills, but is taking a new strategy this session.

“We have strong interest in continuing to talk about and pursue some sort of fix to the statute,” Holdren said. “I think one of the things we learned last year, and what you’ll see this year, is a stronger effort to lay some groundwork in educating the Legislature about this issue. We had such massive turnover after the last election that there are a lot of folks who have never really experienced this issue.

“This has a lot of history that we all saw last year, and a lot of emotion and strong feeling. I think all of us that are proreform walked away and said we need to probably back up and talk to folks and educate them about why it’s important, what we as a state gain.

“You’ll see future efforts, but . . . we’re going to slow down the train and talk to folks, get a little better education effort, before we move forward on it,” he said.

Holdren said the laws need to be changed, in part, because they are outdated and are stifling business growth.

As introduced last session, the so-called “Kansas Agricultural Growth and Rural Investment Initiative” sought to allow any agricultural business entity to operate anywhere in the state.

Current law restricts ownership of certain agriculture operations, principally large swine and dairy facilities. It requires that a majority of partners must be related and at least one of them must live or actively work on the farm. It also limits the number of stockholders allowed in a farming operation to 10 for corporations and 15 for trusts.

And it requires all corporate farms with land in the state to make annual reports to the Secretary of State about farming operations.

The bills pushed last year would have removed those provisions.

They also would have

removed the provision requiring businesses to gain a county commission’s approval to operate a large swine or dairy operation.

Then-Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman told legislators that current law was keeping new agribusinesses from coming to Kansas.

If legislators were to approve the changes, it would “send a loud and clear message that Kansas is open for business,” Rodman said.

The administration has not changed its stance on the initiative, said Brownback spokesperson Sara Belfry.

“The Brownback administration is fully supportive of growing the Kansas economy and agricultural community in a safe and responsible manner,” she wrote in an email, indicating that officials view the proposed changes as safe and responsible.

Opponents of Proposal But opponents say experience in other states has shown that swine and dairy facilities are not significant job creators.

And they point to reports that the low-wage, highturnover jobs that are created can be a net drag on local communities, which can experience increased social service and public safety costs.

Brownback, Rodman and Commerce Secretary Pat George traveled to China in July, stoking some opponents’ fears that an international company could set up a large swine operation more easily, if the law were changed.

The governor’s visit came about six weeks after it was made public that Shunghui International of China had made its offer to buy Smithfield, the largest U.S. pork producer. The federal government approved the merger in September.

Holdren of the Farm Bureau said fears that industry giants such as Shunghui would begin building swine facilities in the state were largely unfounded.

“I know those theories

and rumors have been out there, and I guess if you just completely repealed the statute you would theoretically open the state up to anybody, anywhere,” Holdren said. “At the end of the day, though, it still takes a willing seller and a willing buyer to do those deals and by-and-large... most Kansas landowners want to keep that property in their family or in their operation. So, the bigger opportunity that’s created is one to partner with your neighbor, who you’re not related to but you have a farming interest with; or to bring in an out-of-state relative.”

Back in Greeley Co. Peter - the farmer who sold Seaboard his land and water rights - said he simply had no choice but to sell.

After years of tapping the Ogallala Aquifer to irrigate his crops (mostly wheat and milo), Peter said there was not enough water left for him to plant.

“Everybody else just kept pumping,” Peter said. “I kept thinking the government would come around with a program that would save the water

or do something about it, but nobody did anything.

This was 10 years ago.

Now, I’ve got something for something I was going to lose anyway.”

Local residents opposed to the Seaboard operation, he said, are “worried about their drinking water. We were already out of water here.

We were going to have to rig up water from somewhere. But Seaboard put a water line into our house, so I’ve got water now until they run out.”

Others complain about the odor, and some have moved off their land downwind from the facility, Peter said.

“We’ve got a lot of neighbors that aren’t very happy about it. But when the wind blows from the west, I get cattle smell.

There’s a dairy right over here and there’s a (cattle) feed yard over here,” he said.

Seaboard has since applied to expand its Greeley County facility to 200,000 hogs which, if approved, would make it the second largest hoggrowing facility in the nation.

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