SCHS senior Drake McRae goes through the student body spirit line prior to the start of Tuesday’s game.
34 Pages • Four Sections
Volume 23 • Number 25
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Published in Scott City, Ks.
$1 single copy
Council moving ahead with plans to annex One tract of land has been removed from consideration, but that isn’t preventing the Scott City Council from “cleaning up some boundaries” by moving ahead with annexation. There are three major tracts of land on the outskirts of the city limits which are being targeted by the council. They include: •An area located immediate-
ly southwest of the intersection of K96 Highway and Mesquite Road. Landowners include Lawrence, Hoeme and Powers. •A tract that is bordered by Nu Life Market on the east, Scott Co-op property to the west and K96 Highway on the south. This will include the Co-op fertilizer plant and Scott Pro. •A tract on the south edge of Scott City, bordered by US83
Highway on the east and to include the Helena site on the west. While the council is looking at specific properties to be included in the annexation proposal, there is question about where the new city limits will be drawn for the tract west of Nu Life. “Those are a lot of irregular sized lots,” noted Mayor
Dan Goodman, referring to the northern boundary. “They haven’t been platted.” Scott City Attorney John Shirley said a survey would be necessary so the city could specify what lots are to be included in annexation. “It will be good to clearly define where the city limits begin and end,” said Goodman. “It’s not a good situation when
you have lots that are included in the city limits and in between them is property that’s not located in the city.” The council had initially considered annexing more land to the north, which would include farmground owned by Martha Berry. However, Berry objected, pointing out that the city couldn’t annex farmland of (See ANNEX on page two)
City considers clean-up of mobile homes
looking after our
feathered friends Break in drought has helped recovery of area’s bird numbers A break in the drought this past year brought the expected good news in crop production and relief for lawns and gardens. Not quite so evident, but just as important, has been the impact on the region’s bird population. A one-day survey conducted earlier this winter, revealed a 50 percent jump in the Scott County bird population - from 8,013 a year ago to 12,488 this year. Thomas Shane, Garden City, once again conducted the December survey along with five other bird watchers from Garden City. Their winter bird count included a circular area, 15 miles in diameter, that extended from the south end of Scott City to the north end of Lake Scott State Park. The results were no surprise to Shane who expected to see an increase in some bird species following a prolonged drought. ‘The break in the drought has increased the numbers of native sparrows such as Juncos and
White-Crowned Sparrows,” said the long-time bird watcher. At the same time, he says warm temperatures in the Northern Plains have delayed the expected arrival of waterfowl and other water birds, resulting in lower numbers than usual. Making the biggest contribution to the increase in bird population since last year are the starlings, which jumped from just 644 a year ago to 4,488 this year. On the other hand two species with very low counts the past two years are the Horned Lark and Lapland Longspur. Both wintering species are very popular on the High Plains, some years combining for about 70,000 birds in the local survey. Of course, snow cover - which has been absent this winter aids in locating these two species which can be found in huge (Photo above) Taking part in the winter bird survey in Scott County were Tom Shane and Marie Osterbuhr. (Record Photo)
06 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
A new county spelling champion bound for state bee Page 9
Dove population holds steady despite spike in summer deaths This past summer and fall, Scott City residents were finding a large number of Eurasian Collared Doves that had died in yards or in the streets. That led to a lot of speculation, and concern, as to what could be responsible. “The cause was tentatively reported as trichomoniasis,” says bird watcher Thomas Shane. The disease in pigeons is commonly called canker. In pigeons, transmission occurs when infected older birds (carriers) feed “pigeon milk” to newly hatched squabs. Adult birds, which do not show signs of disease, may carry the infection for a year or more and are a constant source of infection for their young. Bird diseases such as trichomoniasis rarely, if ever, affect people. Because of the number of dead birds found around town, Shane expected to see a significant drop in Collared-Doves while conducting the winter survey, but that wasn’t the case. Last year’s count was 1,767 and this year it was 1,702. Shane says the Collared-Dove first arrived in the United States from the Bahamas in 1980. High grain producing areas have attracted the greatest number of doves. numbers along roadsides, says City. Shane. “A high school classmate Shane is a 54-year veteran of asked me to go on the local the annual bird counts, starting Christmas bird count and I (See FRIENDS on page eight) in 1962 while living in Junction
406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-6 Calendar • Page 7 Youth/education • Page 9 LEC report • Page 11 Deaths • Pages 12-13
Church services • Page 13 Health care • Pages 14-15 Sports • Pages 17-26 Farm section • Pages 28-29 Classified ads • Pages 31-33
Several mobile homes which are in disrepair and appear to be abandoned are under the scrutiny of the Scott City Council. The mobile homes are located in an area without platted streets north of the Lazy R Motel. City Councilman Fred Kuntzsch said he had been contacted by a resident in the area wondering if the city could take steps to clean up the site. Police Chief Chris Jurgens said no one is living in the 3-4 homes in question. “They need to be condemned,” agreed Jurgens. “That area is a mess.” City Attorney John Shirley said the council has the option of condemning the property or enforcing the nuisance ordinance.
Public Square meeting in SC on Feb. 3 The next step in the determining a “vision” for Scott City through the Public Square process will be held on Wed., Feb. 3, in the Scott Community High School commons area. The meeting will be held from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This will be a follow-up to community surveys that were held last fall and start the process of coordinating future goals among local units of government. Discussion will include the status of bonds that have been issued for a number of local projects, including Scott Community High School, the Law Enforcement Center, Scott County Hospital and Park Lane Nursing Home. Short- and long-term infrastructure improvements will also be discussed, along with the possibility of additional bonding requirements. Community members and elected officials will also be encouraged to begin the process of developing a longterm strategic plan. A primary objective is to enhance communication and cooperation between local units of government.
Young shooter proving to be quite a marksman Page 27
Estimated utility costs for property being considered for annexation All of the locations currently being considered were also reviewed by the council a couple of years ago, according to Public Works Director Mike Todd. The ability to extend services lines to some of these sites was prohibitive. However, lift stations have since been installed by the city for Nu Life, another for the Kansas Livestock Association, and another at BK Auto. “These will all help simplify the current locations being considered,” says Todd. 1) The properties between Nu Life and the Co-op on the north side of K96. There are three houses in this area, all with city water. None have city sewer. The west house is currently used as a chicken house. The two houses two the east are occupied. Total distance would be 585 feet. Costs is estimated at $5,000 to $6,000 for all three houses. 2) Lawrence property. This property does not have city water or sewer. Water would be available on Yucca Street on the west side of the KLA property, 285 foot away. Todd recommends boring across KLA property and driveway to tap onto this line at a cost of $3,000. Meter pit, meter and tapping fees would be charged to property owners. Cost of a sewer line would be $1,500. 3) Helena currently has city water but not city sewer. Sewer would require a lift pump and forced main line to be installed at a cost of about $3,000. 4) The properties to the south of Helena all have city water available in the street to the south. Owners would have to provide a meter deposit at their expense for water service. Sewer would have to be pumped to the lift station installed for BK Auto at a cost of about $2,500. 5) The property south of BK Auto down to and including Roto-Mix. The Southern Immanuel Baptist Church has city water and is inside city limits, the other two properties have no city services. Water is available in the frontage road on the east side of the properties. This line could be extended to the south and a fire hydrant installed. Cost to be $4,500. A sewer line would need to include the church, NexTech and Roto-Mix. This would require a lift station to connect with the lift station at BK Auto. A lift station, forced main, 300 foot of six inch sewer line, and one cleanout/manhole would cost $27,000.
The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Annex more than 21 acres without the owner’s permission. She made it clear to the council there would be no permission granted. “There’s no sense in squaring up farmground,” agreed Councilman Fred Kuntzsch. Goodman says there should be no reason that businesses and homes that border a city shouldn’t be annexed. “You’re going to find that’s true of just about any city you go through. In fact, the city’s boundaries will generally extend beyond most development,” noted Goodman. “If (property) is connected to the city and the property owners are getting city services then they should be in the city limits.” If there’s farmground located between the existing city limits and property that the city wants to bring into the city, Councilman Everett Green said this should also be annexed. “It’s going to see development sooner or later,” he pointed out.
(continued from page one)
Extending Services Of course, there will also be some cost to the city to extend utility services to the annexed property if it’s not already being provided. Public Works Director Mike Todd provided the council with a breakdown of cost estimates to extend water and sewer services, in addition to one lift station. Total cost for all properties under consideration would be about $50,000, with most of that being picked up by the city. That is also contingent upon whether the property owners request city services. If services are requested then the city is obligated to provide them. 11 Years Since Annexation
It was noted by the council that the city hadn’t tackled major annexation for about eight years. Shirley noted that the last extensive annexation by the city occurred in 2004. The question was raised about whether the Lawrence-Hoeme-Powers properties had been
annexed at that time and The city attorney said his research showed the properties weren’t annexed. As expected, most property owners object to being annexed because it will sharply increase their property taxes. At the same time, if they are currently on city water or sewer, their rates will be cut in half once they are inside the city limits. There was discussion about having a meeting, but Shirley questioned the purpose. “You already know that those being annexed will oppose the idea,” said Shirley. “Who’s going to want to pay higher (property) taxes?” “Some people will oppose it, but you have to do what’s best for the city in the long term,” said Kuntzsch. The council authorized the city clerk and the city attorney to initiate steps to begin annexation. EBH Engineers will be contacted about doing a land survey so the city can identify the city limits line west and north of Nu Life Market.
What’s for Lunch in Scott City? Sun. - Sat.,January 31-February 6
Majestic Theatre 420 Main • 872-3840
Braun’s Butcher Block
No Membership Required
Weekday Soup Specials
Hours
Lunch • Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Evenings • Thurs., Fri., Sat. 5:30 -10:00 p.m. Dress Casual Tues. • Open faced prime rib sandwich with french fries. $10.95 Wed. • Spaghetti dinner with side salad $7.95 Thurs. • Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy $7.95 Fri. • Beef enchiladad with beans and rice $6.95
Monday - Chicken Corn Chowder
1211 Main • 872-3215
5Buck Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Chili Cheese Dog • Deluxe Cheeseburger • 3 Piece Chicken Strips Includes Fries, 21 oz. Drink and Small Sundae
Tuesday - Cheesy Chicken Tortilla
1304 S. Main • 872-5301
Thursday - Cream of Potato with Bacon
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Soup $395 Soup and Drink $495 Soup, Sandwich and Drink $795
6
$
49
Full Buffet
Friday - New England Clam Chowder
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Closed Sunday
212 Main St., Scott City 620-872-7238
The Scott County Record
Community Living
Page 3 - Thursday, January 28, 2016
No mystery to interpreting expiration dates Many times, while shopping we are faced with confusing dates on packaged food labels. This week’s column offers hints on keeping food fresh and safe to eat. One of the most difficult tasks when selecting foods is trying to find a relatively cogent description of what expiration dates mean. Do you know the difference between labels that say “use by,” “best by,” “sell by,” and “best if used before”? And do any of these phrases mean that if the date labeled is yesterday, you shouldn’t consume it? The truth is that we are not talking about an exact science when it comes to
freshness and food safety, and the reality is that the “sell by” label actually is more a guide for the store than for shoppers. It’s important to note that stores are not even legally required to remove outdated products from their shelves. The government doesn’t do a very good job of mandating the kinds of expiration information that ought to be on food labels. The Food and Drug Administration,
Recipe favorites . . .
Slow Cooker Pot Roast Slow Cook: 6 hrs. 30 mins. to 8 hrs. Cook: 3 minutes Ingredients 1 medium 2 pounds 2 teaspoons 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon 3 1 12 - oz. pkg. 1 cup 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons
onion, sliced boneless beef chuck roast chopped fresh rosemary garlic powder black pepper carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces small potatoes, larger ones halved beef broth Worcestershire sauce all-purpose flour
Directions Scatter half the onion slices in bottom of a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. Season roast with 1 tsp of the rosemary, the salt, garlic powder and pepper. Add to slow cooker on top of onion. Place carrots, potatoes and remaining onion slices around and on top of roast in slow cooker. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp rosemary. Whisk together broth and Worcestershire and pour over vegetables. Cover and slow cook on HIGH for 61/2 hours or on LOW for 8 hours. With a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to a serving platter. With a large spatula, lift out roast, trying to keep in one piece. Place on top of vegetables and strain liquid into a fat separator or measuring cup. Transfer remaining vegetables to platter. Skim fat from liquid and transfer to a small saucepan. Combine flour and 3 tbsp water in a small bowl. Whisk into saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook 3 minutes and serve alongside pot roast and vegetables.
which regulates packaged foods and drugs, actually requires a use-by or expiration date only on infant formula and some baby foods. The USDA, which regulates fresh produce and meats, requires labeling of the date only when poultry is packed at the farm. For all other foods, except dairy products in some states, freshness dating is strictly voluntary. How useful are dates? The validity and usefulness of an expiration date depends on the type of product. Meat, for example, might have a “sell by” date that is five days from now, but most of us keep our refrigerators at
about 40 degrees - not 34 degrees, like we should - and therefore the meat that has a “sell by” date of five days from now may only last for two days in our home refrigerator. There are, of course, two solutions - eat the meat sooner or adjust your refrigerator so that it is colder. Confusing? Of course it is. Most important is that you have to carefully scrutinize the package and select the items with the most recent dating. But be sure to inspect the package to make sure it is in perfect condition - no bulging cans or jar tops, no leaky meat trays, no tears on the frozen pack-
age box. Shop the center of the store first - and choose perishable foods last. If you put the milk in your cart and walk around the store for another 20 minutes, then drive home for 20 minutes and take another five minutes to unpack your groceries you may well have diminished the shelf life of that milk by 2-4 days. Understanding Terms To understand food codes, you need to know what the terms listed below mean. Expiration date. The most important. If you haven’t used the product by this date, toss it out. Other dating terms are
used as a basic guideline, but this one means what it says. Again, keep in mind just how the product has been handled. If you’ve left deli meats on the counter for an hour unrefrigerated; figure that the expiration date is at least two days shorter. Sell-by or pull-by date. This date is designed to help retailers know when to remove product from the shelves, but there is generally still time left on the product. For example, milk often has a sell-by date, but the milk will usually still be good for at least a week beyond that date (if properly handled and refrigerated).
To relieve stress plan meals, snacks Skipping - or pushing back - meal or snack time can add stress unnecessarily, particularly during the busy school year, said Sandy Procter, Kansas State University Extension nutritionist. “Anyone can be vulnerable,” she said. “Small children have small stomachs and that means that they need to eat frequently,” said Procter. “Teens and adults also are likely to benefit if they know regular meals and snacks will be available,” said Procter, who offered food and nutrition tips: •Let the family know when and where meals and snacks will be available. For example, if 3:30
p.m. will work well as snack time for children after school or during a holiday break, let them know when and set out healthy snacks, such as fresh or dried fruit, whole grain crackers, bite-size raw veggies with low-calorie and -fat dip, cheese, dry cereal, nuts or a cereal and nut mix such as trail mix. •Make snacks available for a specific time - 20 to 30 minutes, for example and then put them away. Don’t leave snacks out for grazing. Younger children have a short attention span and typically lose interest, while older children or adults may eat more
than they need to satisfy hunger. •Take a break and sit down with the family. Use the time to connect, but remember that younger children need supervision when eating. •Plan easy meals - a sandwich along with some bite-size raw vegetables and fruit - can satisfy hunger easily and typically takes less time to prepare and serve than it would to bundle up and drive to a restaurant. •At mealtime, sit down and eat together to slow the pace and allow time for the family to connect and, yes, to also check the schedule for the next major event.
•Don’t be concerned if children eat less than you expect. Children typically eat when they are hungry. •Cook once, eat twice: When time is available, double a recipe and freeze extras for days when time is short. •Keep a running grocery list to avoid extra trips to the store. “According to children’s feeding specialist, Ellyn Satter, children self regulate. That means that they stop eating when full,” Procter said. “Making healthy foods available is a parent’s responsibility, but making an issue of food - or forcing it on children - is not recommended.”
The Scott County Record
Editorial/Opinion
Page 4 - Thursday, January 28, 2016
editorially speaking
Who’s in charge?
Lawmakers to blame for governor’s budget gimmick
Guess what? Republican lawmakers are suddenly outraged at how Gov. Sam Brownback has been using long-term bonds issued through the Kansas Department of Transportation to close the state’s budget gap. According to Sen. President Susan Wagle (RWichita), this Administration’s recent fiscal deals have caused “serious heartburn.” Among those is the Administration’s decision to issue $400 million in bonds through the Kansas Department of Transportation and making only interest payments on that debt over the next 10 years. By the time this bond issue is paid off in 2035, it will have cost taxpayers $682.5 million in principle and interest. This isn’t money being used for longterm highway projects, but will be used for the current day-to-day operation of state government. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley referred to this administration’s recent actions as “very irresponsible and sneaky.” While Republican lawmakers are voicing displeasure, they can’t plead complete ignorance. The reason the state finds itself in such a difficult fiscal mess is because of tax policies they passed in 2012. The consequences of that policy have been transparent. State revenue was slashed dramatically and the promised growth that would more than offset the loss of tax dollars has not materialized. While the legislature reluctantly agreed to raise the state sales tax to partially offset lost revenue, of greater consequence have been cuts in funding to everything from education to social services to the state hospitals in an effort to close the budget gap and stop the fiscal bleeding. It’s the long-term consequences of these cuts and how they will affect the well-being of all Kansans that should be causing Wagle and fellow Republicans heartburn. Shady fiscal policy regarding KDOT bonds is only a symptom of the problem which is a disastrous tax policy endorsed by our governor and conservative Republicans in the legislature.
Fact-free zone:
Planned Parenthood still attacked despite evidence
For months, conservative Republicans have been on the attack against Planned Parenthood following the release of a video that purportedly claimed to show the organization was selling aborted fetuses for profit. This video set off a tidal wave of protest and prompted efforts by Republican lawmakers in Washington to defund Planned Parenthood. That response also trickled to the state level, including Kansas, where Gov. Sam Brownback issued a directive in his State of the State Address that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment ensure no taxpayer funds go to Planned Parenthood in response to the organization’s “trafficking of baby body parts” All six members of the Kansas congressional delegation joined in the chorus to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood based on the videos. Who needs a real investigation? Planned Parenthood argued that the video was not what it appeared - that it had been heavily edited. An actual investigation by the district attorney’s office in Houston, Tex., confirms that claim. The investigation did determine that laws were broken - not by Planned Parenthood, but by the two anti-abortion activists behind the video. Each has been indicted by a grand jury for tampering with government evidence. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to change anything. Conservative lawmakers, pundits and presidential candidates are much less concerned with the facts than they are with perpetuating lies and stoking anger. So don’t expect any apologies when Mike Huckabee claims that Planned Parenthood is in the business of selling baby body parts “like you would a Buick.” And don’t look for Ted Cruz to walk back his claim that Planned Parenthood is “committing a pattern of felonies.” In fact, after the grand jury released its findings, presidential candidate Carly Fiorina said, “Here’s what I know: Planned Parenthood has been trafficking in body parts.” Then she’d better share that with the Harris County (Tex.) grand jury because she knows something they don’t. It’s part of a disturbing trend in which ultra-conservative Republicans choose to create their own reality in which climate change is a hoax, trickledown economics works, anyone who needs public assistance is lazy and private business can always do a job cheaper and more effectively than government. Their viewpoints can never be discredited because, quite simply, the facts don’t matter.
Overcoming our basic instinct Following a storm of protest, individuals giving testimony to Kansas legislative committees won’t have to conform to a dress code. Belly buttons won’t have to be concealed and dresses won’t have to cover the ankles a disheartened Sen. Mitch Holmes (R-St. John) conceded earlier this week in backing away from his earlier effort to enforce an “11-point code of conduct.” One of those points made reference to attire specifically with respect to women. Holmes initially defended enforcement of the code by relating an incident several years ago when a lobbyist appeared before the committee with a neckline that extended “almost to her navel.” That statement created an uproar in the Senate from members who wanted the lobbyist’s name and phone number in addition to being reassigned to that committee. In the interest of good government, there was reportedly a lot of interest in forming a Neckline and Miniskirt Com-
mittee in the Senate. If that wasn’t enough, Holmes further said the code wouldn’t apply to men because they need “no instruction on how to look professional.” As expected, Holmes took a lot of criticism about his gender-specific proposal before walking back efforts to prohibit women from testifying on legislation while wearing low-cut necklines and miniskirts. “Oh, for crying out loud, what century is this?” was the predictably liberal response from Sen. Laura Kelly (D-Topeka). We haven’t agreed with Sen. Holmes on anything until now. We do side with the very conservative lawmaker regarding a dress code. If a woman wants to give testimony, then they should feel perfectly comfortable trying to influence lawmakers by using
their mind alone. As a Kansan, it worries me to imagine that the fate of major legislation could be determined by how much thigh a lobbyist is willing to reveal. Female lobbyists shouldn’t be allowed to rely on their physical attributes to sway the opinions of male lawmakers (and perhaps some females) who are easily distracted. It clearly gives them an unfair advantage. Holmes was only trying to level the playing field. “For some women, what they wear in a hearing can be far more effective than a campaign contribution,” Holmes confided to us during a recent trip to the State Capitol. “See that woman over there,” said Holmes. “Just by the outfit she’s wearing I can tell you that she’s either going to request at least $20 million in state funding for some agency or she’s about to get picked up for solicitation. “This is the kind of pressure we have to deal with on a daily basis from
female lobbyists who want to appeal to a male’s basic instinct,” he said sheepishly. “What do you mean, basic instinct?” I asked. “You know, the basic one,” said Holmes quietly. “How basic?” I asked again. “You know . . . the Sharon Stone kind of thing,” he said. “I’m trying to protect my male counterparts from making fools of themselves and writing blank checks because some female lobbyist knows how to take advantage of a man’s weakness.” According to Holmes, this is a much bigger problem than the public imagines. It doesn’t matter the kind of legislation, or whether it’s something supported by Republicans or Democrats, Holmes says the tactics are all looking very similar. “Raise the skirt, lower the neckline and you can get almost anything you want,” observes Holmes. “We even saw it happen with a male lobbyist a few (See INSTINCT on page six)
And the winner is . . . who cares? The Iowa caucuses are upon us. Hooray, whoopee, and two cheers. The contests mark the official beginning of the 2016 presidential campaign, which already feels like it’s been going on for two years (because it has). Some polls say that Donald Trump is going to be the Republican winner, others that Ted Cruz will be. Still others advise us to keep an eye on Marco Rubio, who’s sneaking up fast. I don’t know who will win. But it would be entirely fitting if the most overhyped and fraudulent contest of the campaign season (the Iowa Republican caucuses) were won by the most overhyped and fraudulent candidate (Trump). Trump is looking good, no question. He’s won the good wishes of Senator Charles Grassley, an
Where to Write
another view by Donald Kaul
exceedingly shrewd Iowa politician, while Cruz has incurred the enmity of Governor Terry Branstad, the Queen Elizabeth of Iowa politicians. Neither Branstad nor the Queen do much. But they’ve been around forever, so it’s probably better to have them for you than against you. There are two things I can say for sure about the caucuses: Somebody will win. And it won’t matter much, except in the fevered imaginations of the political reporters covering the spectacle. They’ll write long articles on momentum and surges and trends. Which is fine, but there’s not much there there.
Gov. Sam Brownback 2nd Floor - State Capitol Topeka, Ks. 66612-1501 (785) 296-3232
As the irrepressible Trump told a group of Iowa Republicans the other day as he solicited their votes: “You haven’t picked a winner in 16 years.” Indeed, the Iowa caucuses are almost always wrong - at least for Republicans. So why do they draw so much attention? Well, they’re first, for one thing. And the political media, straining to justify its existence by covering something, is more than willing to go along with the gag. For another thing, the caucuses are really and truly fun to cover. Iowa is the capital of nice. The people are friendly and welcoming and helpful and pretty smart. Where else can you find a gaptoothed farmer in bib overalls with a more or less informed opinion on the Iran nuclear deal?
Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4774 roberts.senate.gov/email.htm
But the fact remains that Iowa is a white bread state in an increasingly diverse nation. Its registered Republicans, who are equal in number to its Democrats, are dominated by devout evangelicals who aren’t open to challenges to their beliefs about global warming, evolution, or moral behavior. Then there’s ethanol. Ethanol is to Iowa what oil is to Texas, and not much friendlier to the environment. As if that weren’t enough, it’s a caucus state, meaning that it’s but a dim reflection of electoral democracy. Rather than just showing up and voting for the candidate of their choice, the Democratic Party’s caucus goers must listen to speeches, argue with each (See CARES on page six)
Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6521 www.house.gov/moranks01/
The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
The monumental fall of the Republican Party by E.J. Dionne, Jr.
The fixed smile on Donald Trump’s face as Sarah Palin unleashed her free-association, who-knows-what-she’ll-saynext harangue endorsing him on Tuesday sent its own message. “How long do I have to stand here?” it seemed to say. But of all the developments in the astonishing Republican presidential contest, this moment told us what we need to know about the state of a once-great political party. Consider the forces that brought Palin to the national stage in the first place. In 2008, John McCain, running behind Barack Obama in the polls, wanted to shake up the contest by picking a moderate as his running mate. His first choice was then-Sen. Joe Lieberman, and he also liked
former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge. But McCain won the nomination against the will of the Republican right as more-conservative candidates had fractured their side’s vote. “He is not the choice of conservatives, as opposed to the choice of the Republican establishment - and that distinction is key,” said Rush Limbaugh, using language that is now oh-so-familiar. The establishment, Limbaugh charged, had “long sought to rid the party of conservative influence.” A moderate VP choice would have been too much for Limbaugh’s legions. So McCain, facing a full-scale revolt on the floor of the Republican convention, gave up on Lieberman and Ridge, turning instead to Palin. A new hero for the LimbaughFox News disciples was born.
Where Palin was concerned, Limbaugh overestimated the establishment’s dedication to principle and underestimated its opportunism. Sarah Palin endorsed the Republican presidential frontrunner on Jan. 19, but their friendship was built over years. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) After Obama won, the main goal of Republican leaders of all stripes was to take back Congress as a prelude to defeating the president in 2012. The angry grass-roots right - it has been there for decades but cleverly rebranded itself as the tea party in 2009 - would be central in driving the midterm voters the GOP would need to the polls. Since no one was better at rousing them than Palin, old-line Republican leaders
Sarah Palin and Donald Trump on the campaign trail
embraced and legitimized her even if they snickered privately about who she was and how she said things. Today’s Republican crisis was thus engineered by the party leadership’s step-by-step capitulation to a politics of unreason, a policy of silence toward the most extreme and wild charges against Obama, and a lifting up of resentment and anger over
policy and ideas as the party’s lodestars. Many Republicans are now alarmed that their choice may come down to Trump, the candidate of a reality-show populism that tries to look like the real thing, and Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), an ideologue whom they fear would lead their cause to a devastating defeat. (See FALL on page six)
Flint disaster is a failure of ideology by Dana Milbank
ly, Reagan cast his first vote for Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 - when Herbert Hoover was decrying Roosevelt as a radical - and remained an active and outspoken Democrat through the first decades of his Hollywood prominence. It’s true that Reagan began moving to the right in the 1950s, but he did not register as a Republican until 1962. So Reagan did not spend “the first 60 years of his life” as a Democrat. But Reagan was 51 at the time of his party switch. During the first half century of his life, Reagan did not just support Democrats. He gave donations, cut commercials and argued passionately for the party of FDR and Harry Truman. He was a passionate New Dealer who described himself not as a bleeding-heart liberal but as “a near hopeless hemophilic liberal.” Reagan was, famously, the leader of a labor union, the Screen Actors Guild. He also aligned for shorter periods of time with the World Federalist movement and left-leaning groups such as the Independent
Jeb Bush explained Sunday why he still thinks Rick Snyder has been “a great governor for Michigan” even after the mass lead poisoning because of tainted tap water in Flint. The disgrace over Flint’s (Gov. Rick) water, the Republican presi- Snyder underdential prospect told ABC’s took an arrogant public-policy “This Week,” “is related to experiment, the fact that we’ve created underpinned by this complex, no-respon- the ideological sibility regulatory system, assumption that the “experience where the federal govern- set” of corpoment, the state government, rate-style mana regional government, agers was supeto the checks local and county govern- rior and balances of ments are all pointing fin- democracy. This is why Flint hapgers at one another.” pened. Um, no. Bush was attempting to muddy the proverbial water by portraying the Flint debacle as a failure of government at all levels. Snyder attempted the same diffusion of responsibility last week, saying that “government failed you - federal, state and local leaders - by breaking the trust you placed in us.” But the Flint disaster, three years in the making, is not a failure of government generally. It’s the failure of a specific governing philosophy: Snyder’s belief that government works better if run more like a business. No doubt, the federal Environmental Protection Agency deserves blame for failing to sound warnings more loudly and publicly, and for being too deferential to state authorities, once it learned last year that high lead levels in Flint were poisoning children. But EPA had no role in the decisions that caused the problem, nor was it supposed to. That was entirely the responsibility of Snyder’s administration and his appointees. The governor, former head of Gateway computers, was first elected as part of the tea party wave of 2010 with a plan to use his tech industry skills to run Michigan. He spoke of “outcomes” and “deliverables,” called residents “customers” and sought to “reinvent” the state to make it business-friendly. A centerpiece of Snyder’s agenda, and one of his first actions, was a new law that gave the state dramatic powers to take over failing municipalities and school boards by appointing emergency managers with unchecked authority. Michigan voters killed that law in a November 2012 referendum, but a month later Snyder got the legislature, in a lame-duck session, to enact a law very similar to the one voters had rejected. This time, legislators attached it to a spending bill so it couldn’t be undone by referendum. The unelected viceroys had mandates to improve municipal finances but little incentive to weigh other considerations. In Flint, one such emergency manager, Edward Kurtz, abandoned the city’s decadeslong reliance on Detroit as its source of clean tap water in 2013, under the theory that it could reduce Flint’s high water bills by tapping into a new pipeline that was still under construction. Kurtz’s successor as Flint’s emergency manager, Darnell Earley (now emergency manager of Detroit’s schools), made the fateful decision to use treated water from the Flint River as the
(See HERO on page six)
(See FLINT on page six)
Right-wingers, Red Pope and Jesus by Jim Hightower
Here’s a twist on Christmas that would make Jesus weep. First, a right-wing faction in the US has been wringing its hands over a hokey cultural “crisis” cooked up by the faction itself, namely that liberals, atheists, humanists, and - God forbid - Marxists are waging a “War on Christmas.” The infidels are not accused of lobbing bombs in this war, but Words of Mass Destruction. Specifically, the right-wing purists wail that unholy lefties are perverting the season by saying “Happy Holidays,” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Second, some ultra conservative members of this same faction have launched their own war - against Jesus!
How twisted is this? They say no one should mess with the word “Christmas,” yet they’re messing with the guy Christmas is supposed to be about. Okay, technically they’re not going directly at Jesus, but at a key part of his message - and in particular, at a key messenger of Christianity: Pope Francis! They’ve decided that the Pope is a “Marxist,” pointing out that Francis speaks often about “the structural causes of poverty,” the “idolatry of money,” and the “new tyranny” of unfettered capitalism. Obviously, say the Pontiff’s pious critics, that’s commie talk. The clincher for them was when Francis wrote an official Papal document in which he asked in outrage: “How can it be that it is not a news
item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?” See, cried the carpers, that’s proof that Francis is the Red Pope! But wait - that was a very good question he asked, one ripe with the moral wrath that Jesus himself frequently showed toward the callous rich and their “love of money.” Indeed, the Pope’s words ring with the deep ethics you find in Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. Was he a commie, too? Could it be that the carpers are the ones lacking in real Christmas spirit? Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker and author
A not-so-conservative hero Cruz, GOP forget about the real Reagan Ted Cruz is positioning himself as the “true” conservative candidate for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. The senator from Texas wants his fellow partisans to believe that he is the surest heir of the secular saint of modern conservatism: Ronald Reagan. Cruz says he has read stacks of Reagan biographies to bone up on policy and presidential demeanor. He tells crowds that Reagan understood that “simply giving voice to values of American people has power, and speaking the truth with a smile has enormous potency. It’s what Reagan did every day and what I’m trying to do in this campaign.” Unfortunately for Cruz, despite all his alleged reading and actual pontificating, he does not appear to know very much about his favored
behind the headlines by John Nichols
president. The senator - who is rarely accused of “speaking the truth with a smile” - is battling billionaire Donald Trump for the votes of conservatives in the first-caucus state of Iowa and the first-primary state of New Hampshire. And in this fight he frequently invokes the 40th president. Ripping Trump for past expressions of sympathy with the Democratic party and at least some of its preferred programs, Cruz declared the other day in New Hampshire that: “Ronald Reagan did not spend the first 60 years of his life supporting Democratic politicians, advocating for big government.” Seriously? Does Ted Cruz not remember that Ronald Reagan was a Democrat before he was a Republican? Raised in a Democratic fami-
The Scott County Record • Page 6 • January 28, 2016
Facts vs Brownback’s fantasy on state economy by Yael Abouhalkah
If anyone would be expected to lie about Gov. Sam Brownback’s disastrous economic record in Kansas - outside of Brownback, of course - it would be the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. As the council’s website points out, the governor is the chairman and appoints all of its members. Sticking with this con-
spiracy theory, the council has stopped putting on its website quarterly reports that monitor the state’s key economic indicators and compares them to how things are going in a sixstate region (Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma) and the nation as a whole. Why drop the cloak of darkness on the reports? Partly because the council didn’t want to overtly publicize the dismal information they con-
Trump’s plan to randomly shoot people lacks details by Andy Borowitz
SIOUX CITY, Ia. (The Borowitz Report) After Donald Trump claimed that he could shoot people on New York’s Fifth Avenue and not lose support, a leading member of the random-shooting community complained that the billionaire’s random-shooting plan lacks specifics. Harland Dorrinson, who heads the largest association of random shooters in the nation, said that Trump’s Fifth Avenue plan “lacked many of the key ingredients necessary for a credible random shooting.” “There’s no weapons cache, no twisted manifesto to be found later by authorities,” Dorrinson said. “To anyone in the random-shooting world, Trump’s plan fails on so many levels.” Moreover, he said, Trump has not put in the many years of solitary seething that most random shooters deem mandatory. “Before you do a random shooting, you’re supposed to be quiet and keep to yourself,” he said. “Trump is always shouting at thousands of people.” Dorrinson added that although many random shooters have been in the Trump camp thus far, the candidate’s vague random-shooting “plan” is now giving them pause. “Donald Trump made it sound like a random shooting is just the easiest thing in the world,” he said. “At the end of the day, random shooters find that hurtful.” Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author
Hero
Here’s a kick in the teeth to Brownback supporters: The Kansas gross state product grew at a faster rate when compared to the region and the nation in three of the five years before he took office in 2011.
tained about the Kansas economy - especially after Brownback pushed huge individual income tax cuts through the Legislature in 2012. The attempt to hide the reports from the public continues to be shameful. Brownback had boasted about the council’s work early in his first term, say-
Instinct years ago. He looked terrible in a miniskirt, but after his presentation everyone at the committee table stood up and applauded his effort,” Holmes said. “When you see it being done with such success by so many female lobbyists, you couldn’t blame him for trying.” Even with the recent setback on his lobbyist
Fall There is an honorable pushback against this outcome from champions of a genuinely more moderate and tolerant brand of conservatism - the columnists Michael Gerson and David Brooks among them. But this is a battle that needed to be joined long ago. A showdown was required before the steady, large-scale defection of moderate voters from the party. Now that opponents of Trump and Cruz need the moderates, they are no longer there - except, perhaps, in states where independents might cross
ing it would “monitor in a timely manner if our policies and initiatives are having the desired economic effect.” But a double burst of good news arrived Wednesday. The nonprofit Kansas Economic Progress Council obtained and published the most recent
quarterly report from November 2015. And the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors didn’t sugarcoat the truth in that document. It printed the facts. Here’s a summation of key points. It starts with a positive measurement highlighted by the council but then gets to the more frequent bad news. •Per capita personal income in Kansas rose 1.5 percent over the previous year. That was better
than the 1.2 percent rate achieved in the six-state region. Yet even here, the news was not all good. Kansas trailed the national growth rate of 2.5 percent in the last year. •Kansas’ gross state product - “providing an overall analysis of the performance of the economy” - rose 3.2 percent over the previous year. But for the third straight year, the Kansas rate fell (See FANTASY on page seven)
(continued from page four)
code of conduct, Holmes insists he isn’t done tackling the dress code problem in Kansas. “I’m in the process of writing legislation that will make it a misdemeanor for men under the age of 60 to wear their jeans more than three inches below their underwear waistline.” As for men who are 60 or over, Holmes says,
“That’s alright. They can’t help it.” Once that clears the newly formed Committee on Public Decency, Holmes says he’s going after the long-standing issue of “plumber’s crack.” “How often have people felt forced to pay an outrageous plumbing bill just so they or family members don’t have to be exposed any further to the
infamous crack?” wonders Holmes. “This is a much bigger problem than the left-wing media wants to acknowledge.” And what about the plumber who decides to wear a miniskirt? “I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t fight that battle again,” said Holmes. Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com
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into the party’s primaries to save it from itself. And instead of battling the impulses now engulfing the party, GOP honchos exploited them. They fanned nativist feeling by claiming that illegal immigrants were flooding across our borders, even when net immigration from Mexico had fallen below zero. They promised radical reductions in the size of government, knowing no Republican president, including Ronald Reagan, could pull this off. They pledged to “take the country back,” leaving vague the identity of the peo-
ple (other than Obama) from whom it was to be reclaimed. Their audiences filled in the blank. They denounced Obamacare as socialist, something, as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is pointing out, it decidedly is not. Indeed, it’s rooted in proposals Republicans once made themselves. Politicians whose rhetoric brought the right’s loyalists to a boiling point now complain that they don’t much like the result. But it’s a little late for that. Why shouldn’t the party’s ultra-conservatives and its economically distressed working-class support-
ers feel betrayed? At least with Trump, Cruz and Palin, they have reason to think they know what they’re getting. “We are mad, and we’ve been had,” Palin declared on Tuesday. “They need to get used to it.” So watch for the establishment’s next capitulation. There are reports that some in its ranks are already cozying up to Trump. Given the record, there’s little reason to doubt this. E.J. Dionne, Jr., is a political commentator and longtime op-ed columnist for the Washington Post
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Citizen’s Committee for the Arts, Sciences, and Professions. Reagan identified as a liberal who was at odds with the the Communist Party. And he was very engaged with Democrats who did the same. So much so that he would deliver one of the bestrecalled radio addresses on behalf of Harry Truman’s 1948 presidential campaign and Democrats running for Congress that year. “This is Ronald Reagan speaking to you from Hollywood. You know me as a motion picture actor but tonight I’m just a citizen pretty concerned about the national election next month and more than a little impatient with those promises the Republicans made before they got control of Congress a couple years ago,” he began, before complaining that because of positions taken by a Republican-led Congress. “The profits of corporations have doubled, while workers’ wages have increased by only one-quarter. In other words, profits have gone up four times as much as wages, and the small increase workers did receive was more than eaten up by rising prices, which have also bored into their savings.” Arguing that “high prices have not been caused by higher wages, but by bigger and bigger profits,” Reagan complained about the end of World War II-era price controls, ridiculed the notion that prices would be kept down through “the natural process of free competition” and decried the fact that “labor has been handcuffed with the vicious Taft-Hartley law.” Reagan complained that, under a Republican Congress, Social Security benefits have been snatched away from almost a million workers by the Gearhart bill. Tax-reduction bills have been passed to benefit the higher-income brackets alone. No one is denying that Reagan became a conservative Republican. But his history as a Democrat continued to influence him even during his presidency. When Ted Cruz was trying to shut down Congress several years ago, historians recalled the ability of Reagan and O’Neill to find common ground. Cruz lacks that ability for many reasons, including, no doubt, the fact that the senator’s recollection of Ronald Reagan seems more politically expedient than sincere.
Flint city’s water supply starting in 2014 while the pipeline was being completed - even though Detroit was willing to continue providing high-quality water under a short-term contract. This was supposed to save Flint $5 million. And Earley’s successor as Flint emergency manager, Jerry Ambrose, overruled a city council vote in March 2015 to return to Detroit water. Ambrose called the council’s request “incomprehensible” and a waste of $12 million - even though there had already been chemical and bacterial problems with the river
Cares
other, and publicly declare for a candidate. The Republican system is less complex, but in a nation where it’s hard to get people to the polls for elections, attending a caucus is a chore and an impediment to democracy. For all of these reasons, Iowa is among the last places I’d ask for advice John Nichols is a Washington correspondent for The Nation in choosing a president and leader of the free magazine
(continued from page five)
water, water quality had violated the Safe Drinking Water Act and the General Motors plant in Flint had stopped using the water because it was rusting car parts. “You cannot separate what happened in Flint from the state’s extreme emergency-management law,” said Curt Guyette, who, working for the ACLU of Michigan, uncovered much of the scandal in Flint. “The bottom line is making sure the banks and bond holders get paid at all costs, even if the kids are poisoned with foul river water.” The emergency-man-
ager law, Guyette argued, “is about the taking away of democracy and the imposition of austerityfueled autocracy on cities that are poor and majority African American.” Snyder’s blaming of local authorities is disingenuous: Because of the emergency-management law, municipal officials can’t do anything without the blessing of Snyder’s viceroys. As for federal officials, the EPA warned Michigan as early as February 2015 that contaminants were leaching into the water system in Flint. The EPA didn’t press publicly or aggressively to fix the
problem, a failure that led to the regional administrator’s resignation last week. That foot-dragging postponed action by a few months - an inexcusable delay, to be sure - but the feds had no say in the decisions that caused the problem. Snyder undertook an arrogant public-policy experiment, underpinned by the ideological assumption that the “experience set” of corporate-style managers was superior to the checks and balances of democracy. This is why Flint happened. Dana Milbank is a Washington Post staff writer and author
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world. The good news, as I said before, is that it doesn’t make much difference. That’s also the bad news. We’ve already ceded our franchise to the forces of darkness - the bankers, oil men, insurance companies, and assorted con artists who finance our political system. We can make noise about injus-
tice, but insofar as doing something about it, you can’t get there from here. Not when our Supreme Court has made it possible for people with unlimited funds to shape our elections without so much as identifying themselves. Not when Republican state officials have used redistricting and suppression of minority voting to make it all but impossible
to unseat them. Not when our sacred Constitution has been interpreted to mean that a determined minority can bring the nation grinding to a halt until its unreasonable demands are met. Game, set, and match. Donald Kaul is a retired Washington columnist for The Des Moines Register. He covered the capital for 29 years. dkaul1@verizon.net
The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Fantasy behind the six-state region and the nation. Here’s a kick in the teeth to Brownback supporters: The Kansas gross state product grew at a faster rate when compared to the region and the nation in three of the five years before he took office in 2011. •Total nonfarm employment in Kansas grew more slowly than the six-state region in the last year - continuing a five-year trend during the Brownback administration. Alas, that’s a turnaround from when Kansas jobs grew more quickly than they did in the region and in the nation in four of the five years before Brownback gained office. And to update this finding, federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Tuesday showed Kansas tied for the ninth worst rate of job growth in the country through December. •Private industry wages in Kansas grew at a slower clip for the last year
(continued from page six)
than they did in the region and America - just as they have over the last five years. •The number of private business establishments in Kansas trailed both the region and the nation for the last year, again continuing a five-year trend. That page of data included a startling fact at odds with another Brownback narrative. When asked recently how the state could boast one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates, he told Republicans, “You grow small business.” Yet the council’s report shows the number of Kansas small businesses with one to nine employees actually has fallen during Brownback’s terms. So which are you going to believe in evaluating the Kansas economy? The governor’s tall tales . . . or the facts? Yael Abouhalkah is a columnist for the Kansas City Star. He can be reached at abouhalkah@kcstar.com
872-2090
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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SCHS B/G JV BB @ Lakin
SCHS B/G JV BB @ Lakin
SCHS BB vs. Cimarron @ 4:45 p.m.
Attend the church of your choice.
Scott City Council Meeting @ 7:30 p.m.
Scott Co. Commission Vision Meeting @ SCHS Regional Meeting @ 3:00 p.m. Commons @ 5:00 p.m. Scholars Bowl @ TMP-Marian @ 3:30 p.m.
,
Adult Coloring @ Scott Co. Library @ 6:30-7:30 p.m.
1893 - The trademark “Coca-Cola” was first registered in the United States Patent Office.
1690 - First paper money in America issued.
1940 - Frank Sinatra’s singing debut in Indianapolis.
8 BOE Meeting
SCMS Boys’ BB @ Colby @ 4:00 p.m.
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9 SCHS BB @ TMP
10 SCHS Site Council
SCHS ACT @ SCHS @ 8:00 a.m.
SCMS 6-8 Valentine’s Dance @ 7:00 p.m.
SCHS Regional Piano Festival SCHS GWAC Wr. @ Ulysses @ 10:00 a.m.
1986 - Prince released the song “Kiss.”
1948 - Alice Cooper (Singer/Musician) was born on this day.
11 SCMS Boys’ BB
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SCHS BB @ Hugoton @ 4:45 p.m.
Adult Coloring @ Scott Co. Library @ 2:00-3:00 p.m.
1919 - The first Miss America was crowned in New York City.
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SCHS Leadership @ DC
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1971 - NASA Astronaut Alan B. Shepard used a six-iron to swing at three golf balls on the surface of the moon. 12
SCHS BB vs. Colby
13 SCHS Forensics Inv.
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The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Friends
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now look forward to the “This was the first-ever season every year,” says recorded finding of that Shane. species in Kansas.” Started Young Shane says his early interest in birds was influenced by his mother and her parents. He remembers identifying his first bird, a male RoseBreasted Grosbeak, near his home in Seneca when he was just 5-1/2-yearsold. He took his first bird photo in 1958 of a Clark’s Nutcracker in Rocky Mountain National Park and did his Master’s research on the Lark Bunting found northwest of Weskan in 1969. “I traveled for a living and pulled into Scott Park for the first time in 1976,” Shane recalls. “As with most people who enjoy the outdoors, I fell in love with the lake and the canyon.” He started the annual Scott Lake Christmas Bird Count in 1984 and has missed conducting the survey only one time since then due to illness. His wife, Sara, a Scott City native, stepped in and fulfilled survey duties that year. Only a handful of people participate in the local survey each year. “Unless you know at least 120 species of wintering birds it is difficult to contribute,” explains Shane. “The exception is the feeder watchers who really only need to know about 30 species.” Unique Sightings Some species of birds were far more plentiful this year than Shane has ever recorded, including the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (11), Brown Creepers (7) and Hermit Thrushes (3). “Last year was special when two of our participants located, photographed and made vocal recordings of a Pacific Wren in Horsethief Canyon,” says Shane.
Species Threatened At the same time, Shane is concerned with the loss of habitat for grassland bird species. “Hopefully, not a lot of the remaining pastures will be converted to crop production,” he says “That presents the greatest threat to bird populations.” He attributes the major decline in grassland birds in this region to changing farming and ranching practices in Mexico where many breeding birds winter. “A lot of what biologists call desert grassland has been converted to crops with variable results,” he notes. “Cattle production is strictly boom or bust without supplemental feeding available in the dry months. “I have friends who make these Christmas bird counts in Chihuahua (Mexico) and one year they’ll go there and find tall grass and healthy cattle. The next year, following a period of little rain, they’ll find grass is grazed to the dirt and hundreds of dead cattle. These extremely dry years are also very hard on birds.” Summer Bird Count In addition to the winter survey, Shane has also participated in the U.S. Department of Interior’s Breeding Bird Survey since it began in 1967. He picked up a route starting just south of Grigston in 2000, but had to give it up in 2014. “As many people know, one starts losing the ability to hear species with high pitched songs. One of the common grassland birds in the summer is the Grasshopper Sparrow which has a high-pitched song,” says Shane. “I finally compensated for the hearing loss by scan-
A Pacific Wren which was spotted in Horsethief Canyon at Lake Scott State Park last year was the first ever recorded in Kansas. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Calhoun)
ning pastures with my binoculars, locating them that way.” Shane says the biggest change along the Grigston route during that 15-year period was the loss of trees which birds, such as the Swainson’s Hawk, use for nesting. “We observed the drought causing the death of trees, primarily at old homesteads that had been long abandoned,” he notes.
put out in the CRP fields help all species of birds,” Shane says. “Some grassland birds can survive for days on just eating grasshoppers and other insects, but water always helps. Bathing is very important to birds for feather maintenance.” He also recommends planting berry bushes and
trees to provide food and cover. “We now plant almost all of our summer flower beds to salvia species so we can enjoy the late summer hummingbird migration, which also helps the survival of the migrant hummingbirds, especially in drought years,” he adds.
Assisting Bird Life What can people do to assist bird life in the area? The primary assistance that anyone can do is feed birds who winter around their home. “If you don’t like hordes of House Sparrows then just feed sunflower seeds. That helps the finches,” advises Shane. “One can also put out a block of suet to help the woodpeckers and the nuthatches.” Water is key to bird survival. Put out a heated birdbath in the winter, and keep it filled and clean in the summer. “There is no doubt that the gallinaceous guzzlers
SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL Leading You To A Healthy Future
201 Albert Avenue Scott City, KS 67871 • (620) 872-5811 www.scotthospital.net
Help Us Find a Doctor and Scott County Hospital is searching for additional family practice with OB doctors to join our medical team. If you know a doctor or someone about to complete medical residency, here’s your chance to earn $10,0001. • Refer a doctor to SCH (they must indicate that you referred them on their application) • If the doctor you referred signs a contract with SCH, you will earn
$10,000
Any person who refers a qualified physician (medical doctor) to Scott County Hospital who then agrees to a contract of employment will receive a referral bonus of $10,000. All persons, including current employees of Scott County Hospital, are eligible for the referral bonus. I. Receivership of the $10,000 bonus will be contingent on: 1) The qualified physician signing a contract of employment with Scott County Hospital, 2) The qualified physician serving a minimum of one-year in his/her role with Scott County Hospital, and 3) The qualified physician making reference to the person who referred them to Scott County Hospital on his/her application for employment. II. For any employee or non-employee of Scott County Hospital who makes a referral of a qualified physician which meets the aforementioned qualifications; a referral bonus of $10,000 will be paid as follows: 1) A $2,500 referral bonus will be paid following the initial signing of a contract by a referred qualified physician. 2) An additional $2,500 referral bonus will be paid after the physician has worked at Scott County Hospital for six months in good standing. 3) A final $5,000 referral bonus will be paid after the referred physician has completed one year of service in good standing with Scott County Hospital. III. All referral bonuses awarded to current employees will be included in their monthly paycheck and are subject to taxation. Referral bonuses awarded to non-employees will be paid in full via check from Scott County Hospital. It will be the responsibility of the receiver of the bonus to claim taxes. IV. Only one person per doctor referred is eligible for the referral bonus. V. Scott County Hospital Employees only: Any physician who has already been recruited, contacted, or made a visit to SCH during the past 12 months is not eligible. 1
Youth/Education
The Scott County Record
Page 9 - Thursday, January 28, 2016
O’Neil earns semester honors
Brett O’Neil, a junior at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, has earned fall semester academic honors. He was named to the Dean’s Honor List with a 4.0 grade point average.
Barnett on fall semester list
Alicia Barnett, Healy, has been named to the Dean’s Honor Roll at Southwestern College, Winfield, for the fall semestser. Full-time students who earned grade point averages of at least 3.70 were eligible for the honor.
3 earn semester honors at Colby
Scott City Middle School eighth grader William Cupp correctly spells a word on his way to winning the county spelling bee on Tuesday. (Record Photo)
Cupp is county spelling champ William Cupp appeared pretty calm as he easily made his way through the Scott County spelling bee while his competitors were slowly being eliminated. But the Scott City Middle School eighth grader did admit there was a moment when he began feeling nervous. It came when there were only three spellers on the stage and the two ahead of Cupp misspelled their words.
“I knew that was my chance to win it,” said Cupp with a huge grin. He didn’t falter while spelling “commitment” but then came the next word that could decide the championship. Cupp hesitated for a few moments as he carefully thought how to spell “siege.” “I was debating whether it should be ‘ie’ or ‘ei’,” said Cupp. He settled on the correct
spelling and after 53 words a new champion was determined. It took eight rounds of words to eliminate seven of the 10 contestants. In the ninth round, Dylan Fulton misspelled “business” and that was followed by Aiden Schwindt who misspelled “sensor” which set the stage for Cupp. This year’s spelling bee participants were: Fourth grade: Max Tuttle and Celeste Wolfe.
Fifth grade: Aiden Schwindt and Jocabed Navarrete. Sixth grade: Leightyn Heim and Paige Hoelting. Seventh grade: Dylan Fulton and Dutch Turner. Eighth grade: Cale Goodman and William Cupp. The 13-year-old will compete in the Sunflower Spelling Bee on March 5 on the campus of Ft. Hays State University. Sponsoring the local contest is The Scott County Record.
Three area students have been named to fall semester honor rolls at Colby Community College. Marissa Morris, Scott City, and Abraham Padilla, Leoti, have been named to the President’s Honor Roll. Ethan Masterson, Leoti, has been named to the Dean’s Honor Roll. To be named to the President’s Roll, a fulltime student must maintain a 4.0 grade point average. The Dean’s Roll includes students with a 3.75-3.99 gpa.
Have questions about the Scott Commnity Foundation? Call 872-3790
Hundreds don’t meet minimum admission standards 815 frosh fail requirements at Ks. universities Kansas state universities accepted a total of 815 freshmen who didn’t meet the schools’ minimum admission requirements last year, according to a new Kansas Board of Regents Report. These “exceptions” made up as little as a fraction of one percent to as high as seven percent of
each university’s entire 2014-2015 in-state freshman class, according to the report. Exceptions made up one percent to 10 percent of universities’ out-of-state freshmen admissions. The Regents this week approved forwarding their Annual Report on Qualified Admissions to the Kansas Legislature, as required by law. The report also sparked discussion on whether newly instated - and tougher - automatic admission
standards will negatively affect future reports. Kansas University’s exception rate of half a percent of in-state freshmen and two percent of out-of-state freshmen was the state’s second-lowest, according to the report. Wichita State University had the lowest percentage of exceptions, with two-tenths of a percent of in-state freshmen and one percent of out-ofstate freshmen. Fort Hays State University had the highest, with 6.9 percent
of in-state freshmen and 9.7 percent of out-of-state freshmen. Gary Alexander, the Regents vice president of academic affairs, said the law allows such exceptions to automatic admissions standards to make up as much as 10 percent of each school’s freshman admits. Percentage-wise, he said, “the numbers are really very low.” Prior to 2001, Kansas universities guaranteed admission to anyone who
graduated from an accredited Kansas high school, according to the Regents. Then automatic admission standards got higher, requiring freshmen to score at least 21 on the ACT, graduate in the top third of their class or complete a specific precollege curriculum with a GPA of at least 2.0. However, state universities have the discretion to admit freshmen who don’t meet those criteria. According to the Regents, every student admitted as
an exception is supposed to have an “individual success plan.” The 2014-15 qualified admissions report approved Wednesday will be the last under those old standards. This year new automatic admission standards for freshmen went into effect at five state schools. All in-state freshmen must complete an approved curriculum with a 2.0 GPA, plus score at least 21 on the ACT (980 on (See ADMISSION on page 16)
For the Record Understand the pros, cons of phased retirement The Scott County Record
by Nathaniel Sillin
Phased retirement - a catchall term that describes a variety of parttime and reduced-hour work arrangements before leaving an employer for good - is gaining steam. But before you sign on, it’s important to understand how “phasing out” may affect your long-term finances.
The Scott County Record Page 10 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Washington is leading the way. The federal government authorized the move for its own employees several years ago and began accepting applications in late 2014 from workers ages 55 and up with a desire to switch to half-time employment in exchange for receiving half their salary and annuity. For employees with a
Scott City Council Agenda Mon., February 1 • 7:30 p.m. City Hall • 221 W. 5th •Call to Order •Approve minutes of Jan. 18 regular meeting •Reading of “If I were mayor . . .” essays by SCMS seventh grade winners •Request from SCHS to conduct ElectroRally race at Scott City Airport on April 27 •Discuss disposal of building at 12th Street lift station •Public Square/Scott County Development meeting on Feb. 3 •Open agenda: audience is invited to voice ideas or concerns. A time limit may be requested Parks Department 1) Request to advertise for bids to install coping/gutter stone Police Department 1) Misc. business Parks Department 1) Misc. business Public Works Department 1) Discuss First Street improvements Clerk’s Department 1) Change next meeting date to Feb. 16 due to President’s Day •Mayor’s comments
Scott County Commission Agenda Tues., February 2 County Courthouse 3:00 p.m.
County business Approve January payroll and accounts payable
3:30 p.m.
Approve bids for leasing of Zella Carpenter farm land
4:00 p.m.
Update by Emergency Management Director Larry Turpin
4:30 p.m.
Public Works Director Richard Cramer
Agenda may change before the meeting. Contact County Clerk Alice Brokofsky for an updated agenda (872-2420) or visit www.scott.kansasgov.com
Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Jan. 21, 2016; last published Thurs., Jan. 28, 2016)2t NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SCOTT COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT To all qualified electors residing within the boundaries of the Scott County Conservation District, notice is hereby given that pursuant to K.S.A. 2-1907, as amended, on the 11th day of February, 2016, at 12:00 noon, an annual meeting of the Scott County Conservation District will be held at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Building, Scott City, Ks. The meeting agenda will include the following business items: One: The supervisors of the Scott County Conservation District shall make full and due report of their activities and financial affairs since the last annual meeting. Two: The supervisors shall conduct an election by secret ballot of qualified electors, there present, of one supervisor to serve for a term of three years from date of said meeting. The term of Kelley Palkowitsh is expiring. All in the County of Scott in the State of Kansas. Kelley Palkowitsh, chairperson Scott County Conservation District Attest Morgan Barnhart, district manager
long-term view, phased retirement can offer significant benefits, but it requires due diligence and planning. Among the advantages, phased retirement means that there doesn’t need to be a hard stop on a successful career. In fact, a 2014 study by Merrill Lynch said that 72 percent of pre-retirees over the age of 50 report
that their ideal retirement will include working “often in new, more flexible and fulfilling ways.” The study also noted that 47 percent of current retirees were already working or planning to work during their retirement years. If your company is talking about phased retirement or may do so in the future, here are some key questions to consider:
•What exactly do you want to phase into? For some workers, retirement really will mean a classic vision of travel and leisure leading into old age. But for others, the picture may be different. Some retirees will want to work and some retirees will have to work. Such decisions will summon a host of person-
al finance and tax issues based on your personal situation - read heavily and consult qualified experts before you make a decision. •What options will my employer offer over time? While the federal government is in the lead with phased retirement, most private employers are moving at a slower pace. (See PHASED on page 11)
Kobach files 3 more voter fraud charges Secretary of State Kris Kobach has filed new voter fraud charges in three counties - the second round of criminal complaints since he gained prosecutorial power last year. Kobach said charges have been filed in Johnson, Sedgwick and Ellis counties. Copies of the complaints provided by the Secretary of State’s office show Kobach has charged Ron R. Weems with two felony counts and three misdemeanor counts stemming from alleged double voting in Sedgwick County. The alleged crimes took place in 2012 and 2014. Additionally, Michael Hannum has been charged with one felony count and three misdemeanor counts related to alleged double voting in Johnson County. The case stems from the 2012 election. Kobach also charged Randall K. Kilian with three misdemeanor charges in Ellis County stemming from 2012. The new cases come after Kobach charged three people in September: a husband and wife alleged to have voted in both Johnson County
Distribute funds to 267 crime victims The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board awarded financial assistance to 267 victims of crime at its December meeting. Awards were made in 112 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 155 previously submitted cases. The awards totaled $328,254. The Division of Crime Victims Compensation in the Kansas Attorney General’s office administers the Crime Victims Compensation program, which was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for their unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral costs. The state’s threemember Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and decides how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000.
and Arkansas and a man who allegedly voted in both western Kansas and Colorado. “We’re six months into the authority and we’ve filed six cases now,” Kobach said. Last spring, the Legislature passed and Gov. Sam Brownback signed legislation granting the Secretary of State’s office the ability to prosecute voter fraud cases. So far, Kobach has obtained one guilty plea. Steven Gaedtke pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and agreed to pay a $500 fine and court costs. The case against his wife is ongoing. A case involving Lincoln Wilson also remains unresolved. Wilson is accused of voting in multiple elections in Sherman County in Western Kansas between 2012 and 2014 without being qualified and committing election perjury. Wilson faces 10 counts in total, including three felony counts. Kansas is the only state to give its secretary of state prosecutorial power. Critics of Kobach’s push into prosecution maintain instances of voter fraud are rare.
Former Hays man says he hasn’t been notified
Never a phone call or any type of correspondence whatsoever. That’s the contact Randall K. Kilian has had with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office. Still, it was announced Monday that Kilian was one of three more people to be charged by Secretary of State Kris Kobach for voter fraud. “No, I hadn’t heard,” Kilian said from his retirement home in Colorado. “I haven’t been contacted at all.” According to the report, Kilian is charged with three misdemeanor counts stemming from 2012. “The only thing I can say is that I was working on getting a retirement home in Colorado then,” Kilian said Monday afternoon via phone. “In 2012, I had a house in Kansas still, and the only thing I can think of is that I maybe voted locally in Colorado and nationally in Kansas because I spent most of my time there then.” Kilian was confused as to why no official notice had been given to him of the charges. “You’d think they’d at least call and let me know what I’m charged with,” he said. “I have nothing to hide.” Kilian said he doesn’t remember any Ellis County official questioning his voter registration or otherwise while voting in 2012, but he also said that’s been a few years ago. He said he spent time in Colorado and Kansas during that stretch, but now lives exclusively in Colorado and has sold his home in Hays. “If anything, I didn’t know anything about (committing fraud),” Kilian said. “I bought a retirement home out here and setting some new things up. I voted in both, but I thought all I could do (in Colorado) was local stuff. If I made that mistake, it certainly wasn’t on purpose or to commit fraud.”
The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Interest-only payments concern state lawmakers Lawmakers surprised by recent financial decisions made by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration say they want tighter control of the state’s finances. Senate President Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) said in a statement that she and her colleagues “have serious heartburn” over aspects of recent deals. The Kansas Department of Transportation recently issued $400 million in bonds, with an arrangement to pay only interest
Legislators want tighter control of state finances on the bonds for the first decade. Borrowing by KDOT has risen to more than $1 billion since 2011. And the Kansas Department of Administration recently agreed to a $19.9 million lease deal with Bank of America. Wagle said lawmakers were upset to learn “that interest-only payments are being made on long-term debt and a
Phased This gives you time to plan. For example, in a 2013 benefits study, the Society for Human Resource Management noted that only six percent of employers had a formal phased retirement program that provided a reduced schedule and/ or responsibilities prior to full retirement. Watch how your employer’s plan evolves and ask questions. Phased or not, do you have a retirement plan in place? The decision to make a full or transitional exit from one’s employer should come after years of saving and investing both at home and at work. Years before deciding how you want to leave your career, talk to qualified retirement experts about your personal financial circumstances and what you want to do in the next phase of your life. If it’s a new career, volunteer work or full retirement, develop a plan first. •Have you talked to your senior colleagues? There’s nothing like direct advice from individuals closer to retirement to help you with your own set of pros and cons. Even if there’s no phased retirement program at your organization right now, it’s still worth
lease-to-own agreement with Bank of America has been signed without legislative approval. We are pursuing legislation to ensure legislative oversight over principal and interest payments, collateral agreements and longterm leases.” On the most recent KDOT bonds, the state will pay $184.5 million in interest through June 2025. It will then owe
Public Notice
(continued from page 10)
talking about retirement preparation with senior colleagues willing to share what they’re doing. Also, start your own retirement planning in earnest with qualified retirement and tax experts. •How will phased retirement affect your overall benefits? If you’re working at a lower salary level at the end of your career, ask how that might affect your future retirement benefits. Make a list of all the benefits and perks you now receive as a current fulltime employee and investigate how every single one could be affected by phased retirement. And if you leave the company permanently before qualifying for Medicare, know how you’ll pay for health insurance. This is a particularly important issue to discuss with a qualified financial or tax advisor. Bottom line: Phased retirement can offer the opportunity to adjust to full-time retirement or set up a new career once you finally leave your current employer. However, before you leap, fully investigate how such a transition will affect your overall finances and future retirement benefits.
(Published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Jan. 28, 2016)1t BEFORE THE STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATION RE: Lario Oil & Gas Company: Application for a permit to authorize the commingling of zones in the Socolofsky #2-9, located in Scott County, Kansas. TO: All Oil and Gas Producers, Unleased Minerals Interest Owners, Landowners and all persons whomever concerned. You, and each of you, are hereby notified that Lario Oil & Gas Company has filed an application to commingle the Lansing and Morrow zones in the Socolofsky #29, located approximately W2 SW SW Sec. 9-17S-31W, in Scott County, Kansas. Any persons who object to or protest this application shall be required to file
(First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Jan. 21, 2016; last published Thurs., Jan. 28, 2016)2t NOTICE OF REQUESTS FOR ZONING VARIANCE Notice is hereby given that the Scott City Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on February 11, 2016, 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: 1. Application for variance by JoAnn Dirks to allow a front yard fence taller than allowed by ordinance on: Lot Seven (7), Block Twelve (12), Webster’s 3rd Addition, (910 W. 9th) 2. Application for variance by Sandra Acosta to allow side yard setback less than allowed by ordinance on: Lot Twelve (12), Block Sixty-four (64), Original Town of Scott City, (811 Antelope) 3. Review and reconsider the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the city and conduct annual meeting. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at such hearing. Dated: January 15, 2016 Rodney Hogg, chairman Scott City Planning Commission
City of Scott City • 221 W. 5th • Scott City, Ks. 67871
TREASURER’S FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1, 2015, THRU DECEMBER 31, 2015 FUNDS
Oct. 1, 2015 $ 1,204,474.08
EXPENSES $
572,180.75
RECEIPTS $
218,301.38
Dec. 31, 2015 $
850,594.71
Employee Benefit
91,293.04
60,679.67
5,416.17
36,029.54
Trans. Guest Tax
142,109.09
18,618.83
29,692.27
153,182.53
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
159,898.68
8,952.32
875.44
151,821.80
20,000.00
106,255.81
Insurance Proceeds Fire Equipment Municipal Equip.
86,255.81
Airport Enterprise
17,108.93
1,760.50
5,957.72
21,306.15
320,238.38
7,718.00
11,096.02
323,616.40
Special Highway
93,352.75
2,895.90
28,050.57
118,507.42
Street Imp. Fund
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,264.96
18,943.92
Airport Sinking
Special Parks Water Improv. Fund Water Utility Sewer Use Fee TOTALS
17,678.96 0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,185,025.32
176,121.92
268,268.83
1,277,172.23
308,773.25 $ 3,626,208.29
54,179.84 $
903,107.73
57,069.84
311,663.25
645,993.20
$ 3,369,093.76
AVAILABLE CASH
$ 3,369,093.76
$
their objections or protests with the Conservation Division of the State Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas within (15) days from the date of this publication. These protests shall be filed pursuant to Commission regulations and must state specific reasons why the grant of the application may cause waste, violate correlative rights or pollute the natural resources of the State of Kansas. If no protests are received, this application may be granted through a summary proceeding. If valid protests are received, this matter will be set for hearing. All persons interested or concerned shall take notice of the foregoing and shall govern themselves accordingly. Lario Oil & Gas Company 301 S. Market Wichita, KS 67202 (316) 265-5611 ATTN: Jay Schweikert
Public Notice
(Published in The Scott County Record on Thurs., January 28, 2016)1t
General Fund
$498 million between July 2025 and September 2035, a figure that reflects the principal and the remaining interest. Steve Swartz, spokesman for the agency, said that this “provides relatively level debt service over our bonding portfolio through 2023” and that by “having consistent debt service, we can better plan for and manage the KDOT budget.”
I, Dan Weides, hereby certify that the above statement is correct
Dan Weides City Treasurer
Swartz said that when other bonds are taken into account, KDOT’s overall bond obligations will begin to decline in 2024. Lawmakers of both parties, however, say paying only interest upfront is irresponsible. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley (D-Topeka), one of the governor’s fiercest critics, called it “Brownback’s ponzi scheme.”
“You are leaving a bill to pay for future Legislatures,” he said. “…Very irresponsible and sneaky to be quite blunt about it.” Eileen Hawley, the governor’s spokeswoman, responded in a statement: “The Department of Administration and Department of Transportation acted well within their legal scope of authority. The Governor is happy to review legislation improving legislative oversight.”
Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department Jan. 19: Evelyn Craig was turning in the 400 block of South Court when she slid on ice and struck a parked vehicle. Jan 19: Olivia Martinez was traveling east in the 1600 block of South Main Street when she slid through a stop sign due to icy conditions and struck a southbound vehicle. Jan. 21: John Wesley Adams, 27, was arrested on an out-of-state warrant. Jan. 21: Alesha Heitschmidt, 35, was arrested on a warrant from another county. Jan. 25: Shelby Salinas, 38, was arrested for distribution of a stimulant, interference with a law enforcement officer, driving on a suspended license and failure to have a drug stamp. He was transported to the LEC. Scott County Sheriff’s Department Jan. 19: Gabriel Hernandez-Aquado was eastbound on K4 Highway when he lost control of his vehicle while attempting to pass another vehicle. He traveled into the south ditch, causing the vehicle to roll. Jan. 25: Markie Dean was arrested on two warrants. Friendship ‘Meals to Go’ available from the VIP Center Individual frozen/sealed trays • Good for special diets only $3.25/meal • Call 872-3501
Pastime at Park Lane The Community Christian Church led Sunday afternoon church services. The Blue Steele Band performed on Saturday Residents played pitch afternoon. Band members are Daniel Dunn, Mike and dominoes on Monday Steele and Keith Steele. afternoon. Game helpers They played a variety of folk songs, hymns and were Madeline Murphy, 1950s tunes. Joy Barnett, Gary and Claire Hawkins was a special guest playing a Janet Goodman, Wanda couple of songs on her violin. Kirk, Dorothy King and Lynda Barnett. Residents played Wii Residents baked oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip bowling on Monday eveand peanut butter cookies on Friday afternoon. ning. While the cookies baked they played some trivia Pastor Bob Artz led games and reminisced about their childhoods. Bible study on Tuesday morning. Doris Riner and Elsie Nagel led the hymns. Naomi Teubner perMax Moomaw and Company performed on formed several songs on Thursday afternoon. Max and Ed Gough played her violin, recorder and guitars and sang. Jo Fouse sang and Maxine Wilthe piano. Jewell Unruh son played the piano. furnished cookies. Russel and Mary Webster led a Bible study on Several residents Residents played trivia Tuesday evening. games on Thursday eveplayed cards on WednesResidents played bingo ning. day evening. on Wednesday afternoon. Fr. Bernard Felix led Manicures were given Madeline Murphy helped Catholic Mass on Friday with the games. on Thursday morning. morning.
Blue Steele entertains on Sat.
Residents bake, reminisce
Moomaw and Co. perform
Deaths
Residents played Wii bowling on Friday evening. We thank the family of Louise Schwanke for the flowers brought to Park Lane in her memory. Darlene Richman was visited by Tina Turley and Dorothy King. Clifford Dearden was visited by Kirk and Janet Ottaway. Arlene Beaton was visited by Nancy Holt, Margie Stevens, and Aaron, Holly, Landry and Drylan Beaton. James Still and Mike Leach were visited by Rev. Don Martin. Harold and Ruth White were visited by Sharon Strecker. LaVera King was visited by Gloria Gough, Velda Riddiough, Carol Latham, Toni Wessel, Marsha Holloway and Abby McDaniel.
Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu
Richard John Kaczor Richard John Kaczor, 76, died Jan. 18, 2016, at Pioneer Ridge. Richard was b o r n March 27, 1939, at Polk, Nebr., the son of Richard Kaczor Bernhard August and Irene Marie Elizabeth (Juergensen) Kaczor. As a teenager, Richard left home to attend Concordia High School, Seward, Nebr., in preparation for the ministry. He graduated with an associate degree from St. John’s College in Winfield and a bachelor’s degree from Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Ind.. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree. He was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. His first call was to start a congregation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He also served congregations in Inglis, Manitoba and Scott City. In 1977, he began working for Lutheran Social Services and returned to school at the University of Kansas and earned his Masters of Social Welfare in 1996. After retiring in
The Scott County Record • Page 12 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
2001, he returned to the ministry to serve Grace Lutheran in Hill City Richard was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He married Delores Ann Ahrendsen on July 19, 1963, at Audoben, Ia. She survives. Other survivors include: two sons, Nate Kaczor, and wife, Angie, Nashville, Tenn., and Joel Kaczor and wife, Mary, Lawrence; one daughter, Libby Grady, and husband, Myrone, Lawrence; two sisters, Cherry (Gene) Hammon, Spencer, Nebr., and Bonnie Rodenburg, and husband, Bob, Norborne, Mo.; one brother, Leroy Kaczor, Spencer, Nebr.; and seven grandchildren. The family will greet friends on Fri., Jan. 29, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Immanual Lutheran Church, Lawrence. Funeral service will be Sat., Jan. 30, 11:00 a.m., at the church. Burial will follow at Stony Point Cemetery in rural Douglas County. Memorials are suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.
Week of February 1-5 Monday: Chicken tetrazzini, winter mix vegetables, tossed salad, whole wheat roll, strawberries and bananas. Tuesday: Meat loaf, potatoes Romanoff, carrots, whole wheat roll, plums. Wednesday: Barbeque pulled chicken, sweet potato fries, three-bean salad, whole wheat bun, pears. Thursday: Roast pork, gravy, mashed potatoes, spinach, whole wheat roll, apricots. Friday: Salmon patties or sloppy joe, macaroni and cheese, capri vegetables, poke cake. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501
by Jason Storm
Albert Dean was visited by Nancy Holt, Tava See, Margie Stevens and Carol Davey. Bonnie Pickett was visited by Gloria Wright, Larry and Philene Pickett, Margie Stevens and Jon Tuttle. Carol Auten was visited by D’Ann Markel, Kim Smith, Lonnie Lewis and Rob McDaniel. Boots Haxton was visited by Rod and Kathy Haxton and Nancy Holt. Geraldine Graves was visited by Otto Harp. Lowell Rudolph was visited by Tom and Kathy Moore, LuAnn Buehler, Pat Rudolph, Denton Berry, and Rev. Don Martin. June Shuler was visited by Bob and Judy Winderlin, Jowilla Crouch, Brett Cox, Kim Smith; Letha, Chris, Paige, Shannon, Brandon and Camy Winderlin; and Norma Fox.
Elmer Erskin was visited by Rick and Sandy Kahl, Dave and Sharon Powers, Piper Fox, Nancy Holt, Leasha and Dawson Fox, Lonny and Colleen Dearden, Haley Allen, Mindy Allen, Wade Hastings, Kayla Dearden, Velda Riddiough, Marsha Holloway, and Bill and Kirsten John. Louise Crist was visited by Eilene Minnix, Jean Burgess, Tara Williams, and Brinlie, Ella and Heidi Stevens. Cecile Billings was visited by Ann Beaton and Delinda Dunagan. Corrine Dean was visited by Nancy Holt, John and Kylee Kropp, Dianna Howard and Margie Stevens, Lorena Turley was visited by Ryan Michels, Neta Wheeler, Tava See, Tracy Hess, and Rex and LuJuana Turley.
The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Bill would require use of lower-priced drugs
Deaths Malvin O. Wells Malvin O. Wells, 93, died on Jan. 25, 2016, at his home in Ordway, Colo. He was born Jan. 24, 1 9 2 3 , in Elk C o u n t y, Ks., to Malvin Wells Henry and Alice (Flaiz) Wells. When he was a young child his family moved to Scott City where he lived for most of his life. He moved to Ordway five years ago. A lifetime resident of Westsern Kansas, he was a farmer and loved to garden. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Scott City, and served on the board of directors for the Scott County High School reunions. On April 26, 1942, he married Edith Wren in Scott City. She died July 19, 2006, in Scott City. He is survived by two sons, Virgil, and wife, Joy, Ordway, Colo., and Darrell and wife, Deena, Bullhead City, Ariz.; a daughter, Ruth Riedl
and husband, Dean, Scott City; three sisters, Wilma Baker, Scott City, Charlotte Holmes, San Diego, Calif., and Aleta Barrows, Ness City; 10 grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; three brothers, Willard Wells, Howard Wells and Ed Wells; three sisters, Maggie Mae Conine, Juanita Wells and Marvel Wells; one son, DeWayne; and a granddaughter, Pearl Sue Riedl. Friends may call at Price and Sons Funeral Home, Scott City, on Fri., Jan. 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A graveside memorial service will be held on Sat., Jan. 30, 11:00 a.m., at the Scott County Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Arkansas Valley Hospice, Box 408, La Junta, Colo. 81050. Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com.
James W. ‘Jim’ McDaniel James W. “Jim” McDaniel, 92, died on Jan. 20, 2016, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City. H e was born on Dec. 2, 1923, in Polk, Nebr., the son of Wi l l i a m Jim McDaniel and Dora (Nelson) McDaniel. Jim grew up in the farming community of Edson, Kansas. He moved to Goodland following his military service commitment. He was a US Navy veteran of WWII. A resident of Scott City since 1953, he was the owner and operator of McDaniel’s, Inc., “Firestone” from 1953 to 2000. With 47 years of retail service to the community, Jim became well known to many selling tires, hardware, appliances, sporting equipment, household goods, and even provided a special area for children known as “Toyland” in his store. He was instrumental in construction of the first bleacher press box for the SCHS football field. Little league baseball was one of his passions. He was a member of St.
Luke’s Episcopal Church, Scott City, and the VFW. On June 26, 1944 he married Annabelle Zeigler in Goodland. She survives. Other survivors include: one son, Rob McDaniel and wife, Lee Ann, Benton, Ark.; one daughter, Lonnie Lewis and husband, Bill, Scott City; three sisters, Dorthy Owens, Goodland, and Bernadine Amos and Marleen Perkall, both of Grand Junction, Colo.; two grandchildren, Ryan and Katie Lewis, Kansas City, Mo., and Addie McDaniel, Benton, Ark.; and two great-grandchildren, Aisley and Grayson Lewis, Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Shirley Garner; and a granddaughter, Heather Lewis. Funeral service was Jan. 23 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Scott City, with Fr. Don Martin officiating. Burial was in the Scott County Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the SCHS Beaver Broadcasting Network or Scott County EMTs in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington St., Scott City, Ks., 67871.
Gayle Taylor-Ford’s husband has been waiting two months for the treatment his doctor thinks is most likely to help with his multiple sclerosis, a wait she attributes to their insurer’s step therapy protocol. Through step therapy, doctors and patients must document that lower-cost drugs didn’t work before a more expensive prescription can be tried. Taylor-Ford and others spoke Wednesday at a Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee hearing on Senate Bill 341, which would allow step therapy in the state’s privatized Medicaid program known as KanCare.
Budget Director Shawn Sullivan told the committee that allowing the three managed care organizations that administer KanCare to use step therapy could save the state $10.6 million annually, part of an effort to slow a steady increase in the $3 billion program’s pharmacy costs. Taylor-Ford, of Overland Park, said a multiple sclerosis specialist told her it probably would take about two months to get her husband the drug the specialist thought would be most likely to work, because he expected their insurance company, United Healthcare, to deny prior authorization.
“Right now we’re just in a holding pattern,” she said. Sen. Jim Denning (R-Leawood) testified in support of the bill. Patients who already are taking a drug that is a “step up” from the less costly first-line treatment wouldn’t be required to start over, he said, adding the bill wasn’t intended to apply to drugs taken for mental health conditions. Doctors’ offices could keep track of what drugs are on what step, Denning said, and go through the prior authorization process if they believe the first-line drug wouldn’t benefit their patients. Eric Voth, vice presi-
dent of primary care at Stormont-Vail Healthcare in Topeka, said Denning’s description of the process was a “sugarcoating” of prior authorization, which sometimes takes an hour or more. “We play this game on the phone of cat-andmouse” with the insurance companies, he said. “You have insurance companies playing doctor.” If the committee moves the bill forward, Voth said, it should add provisions that require insurance companies to share their reasons for making medication decisions and should exempt conditions like mental illnesses, diabetes and epilepsy.
Attend the Church of Your Choice
God Wants to Strengthen Our Weaknesses Fox Network is releasing into homes a new program this month, called “Lucifer” (another name for satan, and I will not capitalize his name!). It is about the fallen angel returning to earth from the pits of hell. The drama focuses on his supernatural powers and makes this cunning playboy into a likable, dashingly handsome guy with redeeming qualities. John 8:44 describes satan as a “liar”. Revelation 12:9 says, “he deceives the whole world” and II Corinthians 11:14 says, he is a fallen angel who “transforms himself into an angel of light.” That is the way satan will be depicted in the new series. Many will say, (even Christians) “Oh, it’s just a TV show.” God forbid. What we may call “just a show” many times has become a tool of deceit that has brought serious consequences in our modern misguided culture. As a pastor I have visited homes where a TV program would be on and often they were not shows Christians should be watching. TV shows that promote demons and misrepresent the devil desensitizes millions of people, including Christians, to the dangers of satan’s powers as they invite his influence into their own homes and minds. The devil is a deceiver and presenting this evil being as a likable character masquerading as an angel of light may cause the entrance of evil spirits, despondency, and uncontrollable desires in the spirit of the viewer. To the Christian who watches such programs may be the cause of hindrances, failure, lack of peace, joy and victory in their lives. In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prayed for Christians to “be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man.” The inner man is who we really are. God wants to strengthen us in our inner man. The spirit is the life force of a person.
It is the most profound part of our being. It’s that part of us God created anew when He saved us and He wants to make it new and strong every day. It is the area where we learn to discern God’s truth and the lies of the devil. The person who is weak in spirit is easily tempted into immoral relationships, instability, and all other vices of demonic influences. I am convinced that evil spirits study the people of God. They learn of our weaknesses and that becomes the area of attack to “steal, kill, and destroy”, John 10:10. Demons may and can influence the thoughts, emotions and actions of Christians who fail to stay strong in their spirit. When a believer yields to a temptation of weakness you don’t cease being a child of God, but the anointing of power of God over your life is cut off and life becomes a struggle because there is no power in the spirit. EVIL SPIRITS WILL BE ESPECIALLY ACTIVE IN THESE LAST DAYS, (I Timothy 4:1); THAT IS WHY GOD WANTS TO STRENGTHEN YOU. When the spirit is strong it can overcome weaknesses! Jesus promised true believers authority over the power of satan and his cohorts. When our spirits are strong with the power of God; because we renew that strength daily, we break the weapons of his demonic deception and temptation toward our weaknesses. Proverbs 25:28, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls.” Proverbs 16:32, “He who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.” GOD WANTS TO STRENGTHEN US SO WE CAN OVERCOME WEAKNESSES. “Lucifer” is not welcome in our homes, by TV or any other way!
Pastor Ed Sanderson, Assembly of God Church, Scott City
Scott City Assembly of God
Prairie View Church of the Brethren
1615 South Main - Scott City - 872-2200 Ed Sanderson, Senior Pastor 9:00 a.m. - Pre-Service Prayer 10:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Church Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study and Prayer
4855 Finney-Scott Rd. - Scott City - 276-6481 Pastor Jon Tuttle Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship • Tuesday breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Held at Precision Ag Bldg. west of Shallow Water Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m., at the church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
A Catholic Christian Community 1002 S. Main Street - Scott City Fr. Bernard Felix, pastor • 872-7388 Secretary • 872-3644 Masses: 1st Sunday of month - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Other weekends: Sat., 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1:30 p.m.
1102 Court • Box 283 • Scott City 620-872-2294 • 620-872-3796 Pastor Warren Prochnow holycross-scott@sbcglobal.net Sunday School/Bible Class, 9:00 a.m. Worship every Sunday, 10:15 a.m. Wed.: Mid-Week School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Pence Community Church
Community Christian Church
8911 W. Road 270 10 miles north on US83; 2 miles north on K95; 9 miles west on Rd. 270 Don Williams, pastor • 874-2031 Wednesdays: supper (6:30 p.m.) • Kid’s Group and Adult Bible Study (7:00 p.m.) • Youth Group (8:00 p.m.) Sunday School: 9:30 • Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
12th & Jackson • Scott City • 872-3219 Shelby Crawford, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday: God’s High School Cru, 7:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church
Immanuel Southern Baptist Church
803 College - Scott City - 872-2339
1398 S. US83 - Scott City - 872-2264
Kyle Evans, Senior Pastor Bob Artz, Associate Pastor
Robert Nuckolls, pastor - 872-5041
Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. • Worship: 11:00 a.m.
Sunday morning worship: 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.
Gospel Fellowship Church 120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Larry Taylor, pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
1st United Methodist Church 5th Street and College - Scott City - 872-2401 John Lewis, pastor 1st Sunday: Communion and Fellowship Sunday Services at 9:00 a.m. • Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. All Other Sundays • Worship: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. • MYF (youth groups) on Wednesdays Jr. High: 6:30 p.m. • Sr. High: 7:00 p.m.
First Christian Church
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
701 Main - Scott City - 872-2937 Scotty Wagner, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday is Family Night Meal: 5:45 p.m. • Study: 6:15 p.m. Website: www.fccscottcity.org
Elizabeth/Epperson Drives • Scott City • 872-3666 Father Don Martin Holy Eucharist - 11:45 a.m. St. Luke’s - 872-5734 (recorded message) Senior Warden Bill Lewis • 872-3347 or Father Don Martin - (785) 462-3041
Scott Mennonite Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
12021 N. Eagle Rd. • Scott City
9th and Crescent - Scott City - 872-2334 Bishop Irvin Yeager • 620-397-2732 Sacrament, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:50 a.m. Relief Society and Priesthood, 11:20 a.m. YMYW Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.
Franklin Koehn: 872-2048 Charles Nightengale: 872-3056 Sunday School Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.
The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Committee to KDADS: name your price to fix Larned hospital staffing of the discussion focused on staffing challenges at both hospitals, which treat people with mental health issues who have been involuntarily committed because they are believed to be a danger to themselves or others. About 38 percent of nursing positions are vacant at Larned and about 33 percent are vacant at Osawatomie, Keck said. He didn’t have statistics available about vacancies in other direct care positions, such as mental health technicians. Keck said KDADS is considering a variety of moves, including offering daycare for children of employees and free
40% of nursing positions at state hospital vacant Megan Hart Kansas Health Institute
The House Social Services Committee did something rare in a time of tight Kansas budgets: It invited a state agency to come back and ask for more money to fix a problem. Tim Keck, interim secretary for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, briefed the committee Tuesday afternoon on the state hospitals at Larned and Osawatomie. Much
The short-term plan is to reduce vacancies to 25 percent by hiring 89 people at Larned and 75 at Osawatomie.
meals to employees who have to work overtime, or allowing staff to work overtime “off-discipline.” For example, a member of the security staff could work overtime in a medical position that doesn’t require a license, he said. Rep. Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado) said he wanted to hear a more aggressive plan to end excessive use of overtime at the state hospitals. Keck said that wasn’t likely until KDADS solved issues of insufficient staffing to cover shifts. The short-term plan
is to reduce vacancies to 25 percent by hiring 89 people at Larned and 75 at Osawatomie, he said. “We need to solve the current problem we have now before we approach the overtime situation,” he said. Hiring has proven difficult due to funding, the hospitals’ remote locations, attitudes about the hospitals and a healing job market, Keck said. In a two-month period, the hospitals hired 21 people, but 28 employees left, he said.
Rate of flu vaccines for hospital personel rising Increasing numbers of Kansas hospital workers are rolling up their sleeves each year to help protect the health of their patients and co-workers. During last year’s flu season, more than nine out of 10 hospital personnel, medical staff, volunteers, students and contractors were immunized against the flu. A statewide hospital survey conducted annually by the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC) confirmed that the influenza immunization rate among health care personnel has steadily risen over the past seven years. According to KHC’s recent survey of 141 Kansas hospitals, the statewide immunization rate of 91 percent during the 2014-15 flu season is the highest yet, and compares favorably with the national rate of 90.4 percent. In contrast, the first statewide survey KHC conducted in 2009 found that only 76 percent of health care workers and medical staff were immunized against the flu. “Every year, more and more health care workers make a conscious decision to protect their patients, their co-workers and everyone visiting their facility when they receive their flu shot,” said Kendra (See VACCINES on page 15)
(See STAFFING on page 15)
Medicaid enrollment savings far less than projected (KEES) was intended to be a central portal where people could apply for benefits like Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance, and the state could automatically verify their eligibility. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department for Children and Families estimated
Megan Hart KHI News Service
A new computer system for enrolling Kansans in Medicaid and other public assistance programs will generate far less than the expected $300 million in savings, a Legislative Post Audit report found. The Kansas Eligibility Enforcement System
Is stress affecting your child’s health? by the American Counseling Association
We like to imagine that the lives of our children are relatively stress free. Oh sure, things like that upcoming math test or who to take to the prom may cause them stress, but it’s not the same kind of stress we face at work or over financial issues . . . or is it? Actually, stress affects each of us, regardless of age. Stress is a combination of two things. The first is the “stressor,” the situation that triggers the physical and emotional reactions we feel. For adults it can be anything from serious financial issues to something as temporary as this morning’s traffic jam. The second part of stress is our “stress response,” our natural reaction to a stressor. Stress causes our bodies to release chemicals that increase our breathing, heart rate, alertness and muscle response. It’s all a natural reaction that we inherited from our ancient ancestors. Back then, their survival meant reacting quickly to the threats they met. That natural response happens to everyone, whether we’re a 40-year-old man facing a possible job loss, or a 10-year-old boy facing that school bully coming toward him on the playground. (See STRESS on page 15)
that the new system would generate $300 million in savings over 10 years. But costs have exceeded what was planned and the assumptions behind the savings calculations were flawed, according to the report. The state originally estimated it would cost about $188 million to build KEES and maintain
it through August 2016. However, if current trends continue, the cost through August will be closer to $234 million - about 25 percent above the estimate - mostly due to increased expenses to build the site. Estimates of savings were “overly aggressive,” Matt Etzel, who led the Post Audit team, told the House Social Services
Budget Committee last week. KDHE and DCF had estimated the system would save them $134 million in federal penalties, despite the fact that the state had only paid one penalty - of $300,000 - in recent years. Federal officials levied the penalty because Kansas didn’t meet a subgroup work
program requirement in fiscal year 2012 related to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The agencies also likely overestimated their savings on postage, the report said. They predicted their combined annual postage and printing budget would fall from $3.1 million to $500,000, for a savings of (See MEDICAID on page 15)
Families push to legalize hemp products for seizures Legislation would reduce penalties for marijuana offenses The Kansas Statehouse isn’t known as a place sympathetic to liberalizing drug laws, but then came the stories of Kansas families with hurting children. Tiffanie and Kevin Krentz of Topeka, for example. At six-monthsold, their son J.J. suffered his first seizure. It lasted 45 terrifying minutes. At the hospital, J.J. was unresponsive. “He was pale and gray, and I really didn’t know if we would walk out of the hospital with him that day,” Tiffanie Krentz recalled. J.J. recovered, but his seizures continued. He
If people want to move to Colorado to hike and to be in the mountains, that’s one thing, but they shouldn’t have to move there to gain access to something that could help their kids live a better life. - State Rep. John Wilson, D-Lawrence
eventually received a diagnosis: Dravet syndrome, a type of epilepsy. J.J. is 11 now, cognitively delayed and medically fragile, Krentz said. He has a nerve stimulator to help control seizures and has sought relief from the devastating condition with 16 different medications. But Dravet syndrome is notoriously resistant to treatment. The family hasn’t tried an alternative therapy, a cannabidiol (CBD) product that comes from the marijuana plant and is not intoxicating because it’s low in THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol.
Some call it hemp oil. The Krentzes and others want lawmakers to approve a bill, passed last year by the House but not the Senate, to allow the regulated production and use of CBD, taken orally, for treatment of seizures. “It is not a cure,” Krentz told a Kansas Senate committee last week. “I don’t know if it will help J.J., but I know I don’t have the opportunity to try it.” The bill includes a separate section that has drawn supporters from some who work in criminal justice. That section would reduce the penalties for first and second
convictions for possessing marijuana, shifting the second offense from a felony to a misdemeanor. A third provision would create a program to research industrial hemp. The bill is one of the biggest moves in years to ease marijuana laws in Kansas. Since 2014, Rep. John Wilson (D-Lawrence) has been a driving force behind “Otis’ law,” the CBD treatment bill that passed last spring in the House. Otis, who was diagnosed with a catastrophic type of infantile epilepsy, is the young son of former Lawrence residents Ryan and Kathy Reed. The Reeds moved to Colorado two years ago for access to CBD. They (See HEMP on page 15)
Specialty Care, Hometown Service
The Outreach Services Clinic at Scott County Hospital If you need a medical specialist, Scott County Hospital offers a variety of options for your care. Talk with your physician about a referral to meet with one of our visiting specialty doctors.
Cardiology Dr. Janif
Cardiology Dr. Thapa
Oncology/Hematology
Dr. Tibayan
Cardiology Dr. Ferrell
Orthopedics Dr. DeCarvalho
Cardiology Dr. Freund
Podiatry Dr. Burkey
Pulmonology/Sleep Dr. Ballard
SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL Leading You To A Healthy Future
Ear, Nose, & Throat Dr. Munson
201 Albert Avenue Scott City, KS 67871 • (620) 872-5811 www.scotthospital.net
Immunology/Allergy Dr. Faraci
Urology Dr. Lopez
Nephrology Dr. Baracaldo
Urology Dr. McDonald
Neurosurgeon Dr. Henry
Registered Dietitian & Diabetic Educator Courtney McCarty
Call (620) 874-4854 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The Scott County Record • Page 15 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Legislators walk back lifetime ban for hepatitis C drugs A panel of legislators last week reversed their recommendation of a lifetime ban on hepatitis C drugs for Medicaid patients who don’t comply with their treatment regimen. Members of the Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight walked back on the recommendation they made in December after hearing from Mike
Randol, who heads the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Division of Health Care Finance. Randol acknowledged that the hepatitis C drugs are expensive but said KDHE has procedures in place to ensure that Kansans on Medicaid who abuse alcohol or intravenous drugs aren’t getting coverage for the medications.
Hemp have reported that Otis is now more physically active and mentally alert and that they now can reduce his anti-epilepsy medication. “If people want to move to Colorado to hike and to be in the mountains, that’s one thing, but they shouldn’t have to move there to gain access
to something that could help their kids live a better life,” Wilson said. “I think this bill represents a Kansas solution,” he said. “There are hundreds and hundreds of families around Kansas that are experiencing this.” According to one estimate, there are 3,600 people in Kansas with
lifetime ban recommendation, over Pilcher-Cook’s objection. Randol said KDHE bases its prior authorization procedures for the hepatitis C medications on guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and the Infectious Disease Society of America that steer the medications to those who need them most.
epilepsy and thousands more with other seizure disorders. Kiley and Gavin Klug came from Odin in central Kansas to the Capitol for a hearing last week. With them was their eight-yearold son, Owen, who uses a wheelchair. When Owen was six-months-old, he began having seizures,
sometimes as many as 200 a day. He also was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome. Despite nerve-stimulator surgery, a special diet and a long list of medications, Owen still suffers five to 20 seizures a day, Kiley Klug said. What else have traditional treatments gotten him? she asked. Multiple
hospital stays, constant testing of organ function, vomiting, lethargy and loss of skills. As a toddler, he could hold a cup and use a baby walker, she said, but not anymore. “Epilepsy is simply a prison Owen cannot escape,” she said. “It’s time to move on to more non-traditional therapies,” she said.
Under the bill, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment would regulate private producers of the CBD medication. Adults would be required to obtain a doctor-issued certificate as caregivers of a seizure patient, and they would have to register with the health department.
(continued from page 14)
levels of stress? Often the warning signs will include changes in both behavior and physical well-being. You may see stressrelated behavioral changes such as anger or impatience over relatively minor things. Your child may seem constantly anxious, unable to relax and perhaps sleeping poorly or excessively. You might notice changes in eating behav-
Medicaid
(continued from page 14)
10 percent of applicants, Etzel said, requiring more hands-on work than anticipated. The state hasn’t set a firm deadline to fix those issues, he said. The system also isn’t working as expected when it comes to sending some automated notices to applicants, according to the audit. Some less-important features also were delayed or removed. KEES won’t have a consolidated customer service center, as planned. A feature that would allow people to check the status of their applications remains in the plan but doesn’t have a deadline for completion. The system was supposed to be largely online by December 2013, Etzel said, with final touches More Hands-on Work So far, the system can added by May 2014. That only automatically veri- deadline wasn’t realistic, fy information for about he said. $26 million over 10 years, according to the audit. It also isn’t clear how much of the other projected savings will materialize, as the audit summary notes. The two agencies predicted about $21 million in savings from reduced staff time related to applications and $51 million from catching fraudulent applications. The audit anticipated some benefits from those factors but couldn’t quantify how much they might be. The only clearly defined savings the audit found was $10 million spread over 10 years that the state avoided by not maintaining older systems that KEES will replace.
Partisan Divide The Republicancontrolled committee voted 5-2 on party lines last month to recommend that KDHE impose the ban.
The partisan divide bubbled back to the surface last Friday. Rep. Jim Ward (D-Wichita) reiterated his claim that the lifetime ban amounted to a “death sentence” for Kansans who have hepatitis C. Sen. Mary PilcherCook (R-Shawnee) objected to Ward’s statement, calling it “way over the top.” Minutes later the committee voted to scrap the
vide more than half of Medicaid funding. “We do not believe that CMS would approve policy for a lifetime ban of medical beneficiaries for hepatitis C medications,” Randol said.
(continued from page 14)
Stress When the source of stress is a temporary situation, it usually isn’t a big deal in terms of our overall health and well-being. But when someone faces stressful situations repeatedly, the result can be that the person feels constantly nervous or exhausted, and it can result in very real physical and emotional ailments. How can you recognize if your child is facing high
“We do not believe it prudent to pay for those medications for those likely to either become reinfected or who are actively damaging their liver, regardless,” Randol said. “This is very common in other Medicaid programs as well.” But Randol said a lifetime ban goes too far to withstand scrutiny from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which pro-
ior through either a loss of appetite or suddenly overeating. Frequent headaches or physical pain can also be stress-related. Excessive stress is not a problem to be ignored. Try talking to your child in a non-judgmental way about what may be bothering him or her. Be kind but persistent if there is a reluctance to share information. Seeking help from an experienced pro-
fessional is often needed to help the child. Your school counselor or a professional counselor specializing in children can often help address the underlying issues causing the stress. “Counseling Corner” is provided by the American Counseling Association. Comments and questions to ACAcorner@counseling.org or visit the ACA website at counseling.org
Staffing
(continued from page 14)
“As the number of people looking for a job goes down, it gets tougher,” he added. Carpenter pressed Keck on whether the state system of paying certain wages to classified employees was tying the department’s hands, and if unclassifying those positions would allow KDADS to offer higher salaries. Mental health technicians have a starting wage of $13.61 per hour. “It seems to me if you offered 50 grand a year, you could get staffing out at Larned,” he said. Keck said he couldn’t rule out asking for more money to hire direct care staff at the hospitals, but he wants to investigate the situation further before making a pitch to the Legislature.
Vaccines
(continued from page 14)
Tinsley, KHC executive director. One key recommendation that now more than onethird (36.9 percent) of Kansas hospitals had adopted in time for last year’s flu season is a condition-ofemployment policy, which adds the influenza vaccination to the hospital’s list of required vaccines to be employed, unless medically exempted. Kansas hospitals that have adopted such policies have achieved immunization rates of 95 percent or greater.
The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Admissions (continued from page nine)
the SAT) or graduate in the top third of their class. KU’s new automatic admission criteria, which apply to freshmen starting in fall 2016, are tougher. In addition to completing an approved college-prep curriculum, students must have a 3.0 high school GPA and score 24 on the ACT (1090 on the SAT), or have a 3.25 GPA and score 21 on the ACT (980 on the SAT). Students who don’t meet those criteria will have their applications reviewed by a committee, according to a KU announcement from 2012, when the new standards were approved. The committee will consider factors such as strength of high school coursework, academic potential, diversity, family circumstances and the student’s ability to benefit from support available at the university. “Having these new standards will help students be prepared and hopefully avoid the initial challenges some students experience when they start college. We’ll also be able to direct the right support services to students when they arrive here,” KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said in the announcement. On Wednesday, some Regents expressed concerns about possible negative effects of tougher automatic admission standards. Regent Ann BrandauMurguia said she worried tougher requirements might deter some of the very populations universities need to attract, such as minority or economically disadvantaged students even if there is room for them to be admitted as exceptions. “We have had concerns raised about the impact it may have on enrollment,” said Alexander, the Regents vice president of academic affairs. Alexander said the new standards still allow for exceptions and that they really shouldn’t have much effect. However, officials can’t yet say for sure what changes they will see. “We’re tasked to monitor the impact of these requirements and be able
to answer your question with some real data,” he said. Board of Regents chairman Shane Bangerter said he expects that raising the standards “raises the bar.” “What it will do is to motivate kids to be better prepared,” he said. Several university leaders echoed that. Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott said his school clearly communicates expectations with high schools so college-bound students know what’s required. “They’ll have a fouryear runway, in essence,” Scott said. “That’s part of the initiative - to elevate their work, their standards, and then students come to us better prepared.” Ft. Hays State University President Mirta Martin said for some students who don’t meet minimum admission requirements, Fort Hays advisers may suggest they begin their education at a community college. Martin said they don’t want to admit students who aren’t positioned for success, because if a student fails out and returns home after a semester or a year, “the likelihood of them returning to higher education is almost exponentially zero.” Freshmen Exceptions Following are the numbers of freshmen accepted to state universities in 2014-2015 as exceptions to automatic admission standards, followed by the percent of the class they make up. In-state students Wichita State: 8 (0.2 percent) Kansas University: 68 (0.5 percent) Kansas State: 83 (0.9 percent) Pittsburg State: 68 (3.2 percent) Emporia State: 91 (5.8 percent) Fort Hays State: 127 (6.9 percent) Out-of-state students WSU: 8 (1 percent) KU: 174 (2 percent) K-State: 69 (2.2 percent) PSU: 48 (5.6 percent) ESU: 18 (8.9 percent) FHSU: 53 (9.7 percent)
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Sports The Scott County Record
A clean sweep SCHS swept many of the top awards at the Orange and Black Classic • Page 24
www.scottcountyrecord.com
Thursday, January 28, 2016
tourney 3-peat
Page 17
SC defense smothers Bison in O&B finals
The Scott City boys leave no doubt about the foundation behind their success. “We’re built on great defense,” says junior guard Drew Duff. “That’s what this team is about. Every game we can bring you McCook 22 Scott City 51 defense.” They certainly brought the defense against McCook. Scott City’s smothering half-court pressure limited the Bison to just eight field goals in a surprisingly easy 51-22 win in the finals of the Orange and Black Classic on Saturday. SCHS (8-3) is the first-ever three-peat winner in the Classic’s 31-year history. “Coach (O’Neil) put on the board that the one consistent thing we can rely on is our defense,” said senior Drake McRae. “Coach wanted us to play better defense and I thought we played great defense tonight.” Defense was certainly the theme as both teams got off to a very slow start offensively in the title game. Scott City was holding only a 3-2 lead just over four minutes (See 3-PEAT on page 24)
Scott City senior Dylan Hutchins knocks the ball away and chases it down for a steal during the championship game of the Orange and Black Tournament on Saturday. (Record Photo)
Tucker claims Lexington gold; SC matmen 4th
Another slow start, another tough loss Over the final 16 minutes in Tuesday’s game, the Scott City girls limited Lakin to just one field goal. Normally, that kind of defensive effort would be good enough for an easy win. Not for the Lady Beavers. Scott City wasn’t able to keep Lakin away from the free throw line where 43 they were 12-of- Lakin Scott City 40 16 in the second half which was just good enough to hand the Lady Beavers a tough 43-40 non-league loss. It was the fourth time this season that Scott City has lost a game by six points or less. “They need to get sick of being in these types of games,” says head coach Sarah McCormick. “I’m proud of the girls for not getting blown out by 30 points and being able to compete in every game, but now it’s time to be rewarded for their effort.” (See SC GIRLS on page 21)
Scott City junior Kiana Yager tries to shoot over Lakin’s Robin Ritsema during Tuesday’s non-league game. (Record Photo)
Scott City’s wrestlers showed they can hold their own with the best in Nebraska when competing at the Lexington Invitational last weekend. They pushed four boys into the championship finals with senior Zach Tucker (113) claiming the team’s only gold medal. Collecting silvers were Jarret Jurgens (145), Wyatt Hayes (152) and Cooper Griffith (195). Tre Stewart (182) added a third place finish and the Beavers (112) finished in fourth place behind a rugged field of teams from the Lincoln and Omaha areas. Winning the tournament was Bennington (193), located just outside Omaha; Millard West (174.5), of Omaha; and Lincoln Southwest (156). While the field of teams is smaller than the Rocky Welton Invitational at Garden City, SCHS head coach Jon Lippelmann says the level of competition is comparable. “It’s a good tournament to help separate your (state) contenders from the pretenders,” he says. “You can usually gauge your state qualifiers by how well they do in this tournament. “After we get done with this weekend (at Garden City) we should have a much better idea of where we’re at.” (See TUCKER on page 20)
DHS unable to snap Hoxie streak in NWKL finals In their growing rivalry with Hoxie, the Dighton High School girls have often found themselves trying to dig out of a double-digit halftime deficit against the four-time defending Class 1A-Division I champions. But this time it was different in the finals of the Northwest Kansas League Tournament in Dighton 48 Sharon Springs Hoxie 54 on Saturday. The Lady Hornets looked like they were finally in position to end the nation’s longest win streak in girl’s basketball. They trailed just 31-30 at the intermission despite leading for
most of the first half. However, Hoxie outscored Dighton 14-2 in the third quarter and withstood a late rally by the Lady Hornets, keeping their win streak intact with a 54-48 win. It was perhaps the most difficult loss that head coach Amy Felker has experienced against the Lady Indians, especially after watching her team take a 20-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. “We talked about playing 32 minutes. We had to attack from the beginning and not give them an 18 point lead,” said Felker. Felker was referring to the finals of the Castle Rock Classic earlier this season when the
Lady Hornets had dug themselves into a 16 point first quarter hole against Hoxie, took a three point lead late in the game, only to lose 48-45. And there was the game two seasons ago when Dighton trailed by 21 points, rallied to take the lead in the final two minutes, but couldn’t hold on in a 69-63 loss on the home floor. “We know we can play with Hoxie. We’ve proven it,” said Felker, whose frustration was evident following the championship game. “But like I told the girls afterwards, I’m tired of being close. I’m tired of walking out of the gym and people saying, ‘You played them better (See FINALS on page 26)
DHS junior guard Sara Cramer tries to keep her balance as she comes up with the loose ball during the NWKL Tournament finals against Hoxie on Saturday. (Record Photo)
The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland
Squirrels: love ‘em or hate ‘em As a youth, the after-deer-season joke between me and my buddies was the question, “Well, are you eatin’ venison or bologna?” Just last week I offered to help provide meat for a Sunday school gettogether and the joke became “Yup, Steve will probably be bringin’ squirrel since he didn’t get a deer.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with squirrel meat. Our forefathers relied heavily on squirrels as a protein source. Squirrel meat is very similar to rabbits and can be prepared the same way. And even though Cousin Eddy from the National Lampoon movie “Christmas Vacation” says squirrels are high in cholesterol, they are not. Bentonville Ark., the headquarters of Walmart, has an annual World Champion Squirrel Cook-Off that draws TV crews, executive chefs and visitors from around the world. Their theme is “Squirrel it’s for Supper,” and they offer “organic tree-to-table squirrel” in dishes like squirrel pizza and squirrel flavored ice cream. Also known as tree bacon, limb chicken and bird feeder vandals, I know of no wild animal in our society today more pampered than the squirrel. We buy corn to feed them, and then buy feeders to hold the corn. We teach them to take peanuts from our hands, and I even heard of someone who had taught the little beggars to tap on the front door when they wanted a handout. Some years back I did a story about two brothers who cash-in on our squirrel feeding frenzy by growing and harvesting upwards of 1,000 bushels of ear corn every year which they sell for squirrel corn. (See SQUIRRELS on page 22)
7th grade Jays whip Kenneth Henderson T h e Scott City Middle School seventh 7th Grade 37 graders Ken-Hender 27 pounced on Kenneth Henderson early and made that lead hold up for a 37-27 road win at Garden City on Monday. SCMS had early control of the game with a 10-2 lead and then put it away with a 10-0 scoring run that spilled over into the second half.
Leading 12-6, Scott City’s scoring burst began with a basket by Colton Cupp, followed by consecutive buckets from Lauren Faurot that opened up an 18-6 halftime lead. Blaine Culp opened the second half with back-toback scores for a 22-6 advantage. Sawyer Stevens led the Bluejays with 10 points and Culp added nine. In “B” team action, SCMS whipped the Falcons, 23-12.
Dutch Turner, Kevin Easton Lorg led the Serrano and Isaac Tarango team with nine points while Harrison King, each scored four points. Stevens, Tarango and Gabe Bowers each scored Roll Over Comanche Behind a balanced scor- eight points. The SCMS “B” team ing attack that saw five players scoring at least rallied from a four point eight points, the Bluejays deficit after three quarstormed past Dodge City ters to defeat Comanche, Comanche, 49-16, on the 23-21. Trailing 17-13, Tarango sparked the home floor. This game was never comeback with six of his in doubt as SCMS jumped team high 10 points in the out to a 13-2 first quar- final period. Bowers added seven ter lead and were on top, 24-6, at halftime. points.
Comeback Falls Short The SCMS “A” team couldn’t overcome a six point deficit after three quarters, losing to Holcomb, 20-18. This was a defensive game with SCMS trailing 4-3 at halftime. The Bluejays managed just two field goals in the first three quarters, trailing 13-7. Stevens led the team with six points and Culp added five.
Bluejays go inside to overpower KH There’s no secret where the Scott City Middle School eighth graders figured to have the most success against Kenneth Henderson on Monday. They pounded the ball inside early and 8th Grade 39 often on Ken-Hender 28 their way to a 39-28 win in Garden City. “We always want to play to our advantage which is our size,” says head coach Gil Lewis. “We did a good job of getting the ball into the paint, but we have a lot of room to improve in finishing strong and being quicker with our shot.” The inside tandem of Brandon Winderlin and Jackson Lewis accounted for 12 of the team’s first half points as they built a 17-13 lead. More importantly, they were able to send KH’s big boys to the bench early with foul trouble. Garden City had committed six fouls by the 2:58 mark of the first quarter and before the period was over the Bluejays were
already in a one-and-one. Even with their success inside, SCMS couldn’t shake loose of the Falcons in the first half. They held only a 10-8 lead midway into the second period when Lewis scored the team’s final seven points for a 17-10 advantage. Scott City (5-0) was still protecting just a five point, 23-18, lead late in the third period when they put together a 12-0 scoring surge, including seven points from Winderlin. With the Bluejays leading 28-18 to end the third period, they put the game on ice during the next 1-1/2 minutes when Lewis opened the fourth quarter with a three-point basket and Winderlin followed with a coast-tocoast layin and a putback that opened up an insurmountable 35-18 cushion. Winderlin added two more baskets down the stretch to finish with a game high 18 points, followed by Lewis and SCMS seventh grader Blaine Culp drives inside for a basket during MonEvyan Smith with 10 and day’s game in Garden City. (Record Photo) seven points, respectively. While Lewis was the spacing on offense, make one pass and shoot selves out of a game,” pleased with the improve- he feels the guards need without looking to the Lewis says. “It’s been a post. One of these times long time since I’ve been ment he saw from his more patience. “We have a tendency to we’re going to shoot our(See INSIDE on page 20) team, particularly with
Youth identifies 225 bird species in Ks. PRATT - Cardinals, sparrows, bluejays and doves might be the extent of your bird identification knowledge, and that’s okay, but wouldn’t it be neat to know what kind of bird is plucking those bugs off your bumper? Or what kind of bird is building a nest in your favorite tree out back? For birders, keeping a running tally of the species they identify is an ongoing challenge. And for Sam Schermerhorn, Wamego, who competed in the youth category of
KDWPT Report the 2015 Kansas Birding Big Year contest, that tally was 225 species observed during the year. Schermerhorn won his category. Overall winner was Andrew Burnett who observed 317 species, an outstanding total for the state. For three years running, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has hosted a Birding Big Year contest
where participants join in a friendly competition to see who can identify the most bird species in a calendar year. The competition is divided into three age categories: youth (17 and under), adult (18-64), and senior (65+), with the adult category being broken down into three skill levels. Top winners in each division for 2015 and the number of species identified were: Adult Advanced: Matt Gearheart, 288.
Adult Intermediate: Andrew Burnett, 317 Adult Novice: Don Merz, 287 Youth: Sam Schermerhorn, 225 Senior: Mick McHugh, 267 Overall Winners 1st: Andrew Burnett (Erie), 317 2nd: Matt Gearheart (Lenexa), 288 3rd: Don Merz (Horton), 287 4th: Sue Newland (Wakarusa), 283 5th: Malcom Gold (Overland Park), 277
Apart from bragging rights, winners of the 2015 contest will receive prizes donated from several sponsors. Winners of each category also receive matted and framed original ink drawings of native Kansas bird species, drawn and donated by Dr. Robert Penner, Ellinwood, and a signed copy of Penner’ book, “Birds of Cheyenne Bottoms.” Dr. Penner is the land steward and avian projects coordinator for the Nature Conservancy at Cheyenne Bottoms.
overtime thriller
The Scott County Record • Page 19 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Lady Beavers erase 13 point deficit in Ft. Carson win
“At some time we have to put two halves together,” said SCHS girl’s head coach Sara McCormick following her team’s one-win performance in the Orange and Black Classic. More accurately, the Lady Beavers just need to put together a first Scott City 58 Ft. Carson 54 quarter to go along with the level of play they bring in the final three quarters. In their final two tournament games, Scott City dug themselves into a 13 point hole against Fountain-Fort Carson before rallying for a 58-54 overtime win, and in the consolation finals they trailed by 17 points against McCook only to see a late rally fall short, 49-43. “We need to develop that mindset where we’re willing to battle from beginning to end and not just in the second half,” says McCormick. In their game against Fort Carson, SCHS was trailing 2310 early in the second period when the Lady Beavers put together an 8-0 scoring run to climb back into the game. They trailed only 29-26 at halftime, but had the Lady Beavers enjoyed more success at the charity stripe they could have opened up a comfortable lead. Scott City was just 10-of-21 at the free throw line in the first half and only 25-of-42 for the game. They outscored Fort Carson by 18 points at the charity line. It wasn’t until Paige Winderlin connected on a free throw to complete a three-point play that Scott City finally pulled even in the third period, 31-31. A steal and layup by Taylor Goodman put SCHS on top for the first time, 39-38, and Kaitlyn Roberts’ three-pointer in the closing seconds opened up a 42-38 advantage. The Lady Trojans reopened a 46-42 cushion in the first 3-1/2 minutes of the final period be-
3 advance to district contest
Three local youth who were age division winners will advance to the Knights of Columbus district free throw competition. Scott City representatives will be: 10-years-old: Dylan Duff 13-years-old: Kevin Herman 14-years-old: Christian Wright The district contest will be held at Dighton High School on Sun., Feb. 7. The doors open at noon and the competition will start at 1:00 p.m.
Hornets split with Otis-Bison Sara Cramer and Kiara Budd combined for three treys in the first quarter and the Dighton High School girls blitzed OtisBison, 52-15, in a non-league game on Tuesday. The Lady Hornets (11-2) jumped out to a 16-2 first quarter lead and by the end of the third period they were on top, 52-12. Cramer, who was 8-of-11 from the field, finished with a game high 19 points, five steals and five assists. Budd and Jordan Speer added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Getting a steal and heading the other way for a breakaway layup is Scott City junior Taylor Goodman during the consolation semi-finals against Fountain-Fort Carson. (Record Photo)
fore Scott City answered with another 8-0 run that included another three-pointer by Roberts, to move back on top, 5046. The lead changed hands once again on a three-pointer by Fort Carson that put them on top, 51-50. That set up a wild finish in the final seconds of regulation. Nicole Latta stepped to the line with 16.7 seconds remaining but missed both free throws. However, Scott City grabbed the rebound for three shot attempts under the basket. On the third attempt, N. Latta was again fouled. She returned to the line with 10.1 seconds remaining, making the first of two free throws that tied the game. In the overtime, Scott City
trailed only briefly before Paige Winderlin’s rebound and putback gave her team a 53-52 edge. Winderlin, who finished with 13 points, was 4-of-4 at the free throw line during the next minute to open up a 5752 spread. Bailey Latta added one more free throw in the final minute. N. Latta led four Lady Beavers in double figures with 15 points, followed by Kiana Yager (11) and Roberts (10). Comeback Falls Short In the consolation finals on Saturday afternoon, Scott City fell behind 15-0 in the opening period and was down 19-2 early in the second quarter before making their comeback.
Roberts sparked the rally with two treys during a 1-1/2 minute stretch that finally got the offense on track. Still trailing 28-19 late in the first half, Scott City outscored the Lady Bison 9-2 to cut the lead to three points, 30-27. Yager, who finished with 10 points, accounted for all six of her team’s points in the third period. Roberts, who led the team with 13 points, added a threepoint basket with 5:35 remaining in the game, but they couldn’t get the lead down to a single possession. The only other Lady Beavers in double figures was N. Latta with 11 points.
Boys Stumble Despite being locked in a low scoring game, the DHS boys looked to be in control with a 16-8 halftime lead over Otis-Bison. However, the Hornets scored just 14 second half points and were upset, 33-30. The Cougars rallied from four points down at the start of the fourth quarter. Dighton (8-5) shot just 14-of46 from the field and were 0-of7 from beyond the three-point line. Sophomore guard Jordan Horn led the Hornets with eight points, Lake Lewis and Logan Lingg added six points each.
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The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Top in-state recruits are slipping away from KSU, KU College football’s national letter-of-intent day is February 3. The football programs at Kansas State and Kansas have taken big hits to their recruiting efforts in the last two weeks. K-State by is slipping Mac and KU can’t Stevenson slide any further, they’re already at the bottom of the heap. Highly talented high school prospects in Kansas are limited, but one disturbing problem for the Wildcats and Jayhawks is that the best players - more often than not leave the state. Kansas State lost three of their prized high school commitments last week: offensive lineman Zach Shackelford from Texas, Wichita East defensive end Xavier Kelly, and running back Tre Bryant from St. Louis. Those three players were considered among the best of K-State’s recruits, and losing them this late is a crippling blow. Kansas has been recruiting defensive tackle and hometown hero Amani Bledsoe, who is rated as the best high school player in the state. Bledsoe announced he will attend Oklahoma. That’s devastating news for the Jayhawks. It was reported that Snyder made one of his few inperson recruiting trips to try and keep Shackelford. That may be one of the problems. While Snyder is in Manhattan, his younger competitors in the recruiting race are on the road day and night. The uncertainty of how much longer Snyder can coach is being used by opposing recruiters and that factor is creating difficulties in bringing highly ranked prospects to Manhattan. When a program hits rock bottom like KU, it’s really hard to resurrect a team that’s lacking in depth and talent. And it becomes harder when the Jayhawks’ staff can’t even sign an outstanding lineman from Lawrence High School. It isn’t from lack of effort. KU’s coaches have done everything they could to convince Bledsoe to stay at home, but he’s headed for Norman. (See RECRUITS on page 21)
Tucker Despite having just one loss this season, Tucker (19-1) had to settle for a number two seed. His trip into the championship finals included an impressive 5-1 decision over Kaden Vowers (Sidney, 32-2) in the semifinals. In the finals, Tucker dismantled top-seeded Jack Huffman (Millard West, 32-3), 13-4. He had three takedowns and twice turned the Millard West sophomore to his back for two-point near-falls. “Zach saw some tough kids and did a real nice job. He was particularly aggressive on his feet, which is what we like to see,” says Lippelmann. “That’s what he needs if he’s going to finish this season the way he wants and the way we expect.” Jurgens Wins Silver Seeing his first competition of the season was sophomore Jarret Jurgens who had been recovering from a broken ankle. Despite his lack of mat time, Jurgens posted a 4-2 decision over Tomas Margritz (Lexington. 37-4) in the semi-finals before dropping his first match
Inside
(continued from page 17)
of the season to top-ranked Dylan Peterson (North Platte, 34-2). Jurgens only trailed 4-2 after one period before he was pinned with only nine seconds remaining in the second period. “It’s hard to know exactly where he’s at because we aren’t familiar with the competition that he saw, but for his first matches of the season he looked pretty good,” Lippelmann says. “He’s not as good on his feet as we’d like to see, but that will take awhile. It’s going to take some matches to get us there.” Continuing to put together a strong season is freshman Hayes (19-5) who was seeded third, but posted an impressive first period fall in the semifinals over number-two seeded Jacob Pinkerton (Beatrice, 256). The championship match saw Hayes facing top-seeded Derek Robb (Sidney, 23-1). After falling behind 5-0 in the first period, Hayes got back into the match with a second period escape and takedown to cut the deficit to 5-3. A third period reversal by Robb gave him a 7-5 decision.
(continued from page 18)
disappointed following a win, but I know this team is capable of being so much better.” Whip Hugoton Lewis shredded the Hugoton defense for 21 points and the Bluejays picked up a 51-40 road win last Thursday. The game was knotted, 22-22, at the half before Scott City’s defense took over the game, limiting the Eagles to just three third quarter field goals. Lewis was also an offensive force in the third period with nine points - including 4-of-5 at the charity stripe - while Brandon Winderlin added four points. Winderlin finished with 14 points.
“Second place at Lex is always good, especially for a freshman,” noted Lippelmann. “There are things he can continue to do better and we’ll keep working on them, but he’s making good progress. He’s not the kind of kid that anyone is going to want to see later this season.” Following his first place finish a week earlier at the Scott City Classic, Griffith (19-1) acknowledged he needed to improve his takedown technique. In particular, he needed to better defend against a heel pick. That premonition proved true at Lexington. After surviving a tough 2-1 overtime decision over Zach Sorich (Millard West, 18-2) in the semi-finals, top-seeded Griffith faced Kyson Schnell (Lincoln Southwest, 29-2) in the finals. Schnell scored with five takedowns and handed Griffith his first loss of the season, 13-3. “We got taken down by a strong, well-conditioned kid who never got out of position. He wasn’t flashy, but he shot the same takedown time and
time again and it worked five times,” says Lippelmann. “It’s given us something to work on.” The head coach says it can often times help a wrestler to get that first loss behind him. “You get to a point where you hate to make a mistake because you don’t want to lose that first one, but that’s behind us. Now we can focus on where we need to improve and what it will take to get better,” Following a 9-3 loss in the quarter-finals to Levi Cusatis (Hastings), Stewart worked his way through the consolation bracket and earned a rematch with Cusatis in the third place match. The SCHS junior used two takedowns to take a 4-3 lead and added a third period escape for a 5-3 win. “What we liked about Tre is that he’s shooting (takedowns) more and isn’t content with dancing all the time,” Lippelmann says. “We do need to be able to hold guys down when we’re on top, which seems to be a problem for some reason.” Also claiming sixth place finishes were Theron Tucker (106) and Abe Wiebe (160).
SC Girls In order for that to happen the Lady Beavers will first need to avoid digging themselves into an early hole. That was the story again on Tuesday when they fell behind by 12 points, 18-6, less than nine minutes into the game. “I’m so proud of our effort in the second half, but we need that same sense of urgency in the first half,” says McCormick. The Lady Beavers were still trailing 30-16 early in the second half when their defense triggered a rally that saw them cut the deficit to a single point. It began with a steal and
The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
(continued from page 17)
layup by Taylor Goodman and then it turned into the Bailey Latta show. The sophomore guard had two steals and layins sandwiched around a foul beyond the three-point arc in which she made all three charity tosses. “Bailey’s an athlete, so when we are in full-court pressure that’s an opportunity for her to shine,” says McCormick. “She does a great job of being in the right place for steals and when she has an opportunity on offense she’s not afraid to take the ball inside.” Following that seven point scoring burst, and
Lakin’s only field goal of the second half - a threepointer - junior guard Kiana Yager hit a short jumper and then B. Latta added two more field goals to make it a two point game, 33-31, early in the fourth quarter. Senior guard Nicole Latta’s short jumper off the glass cut the to 3433, but the Lady Broncs responded with five consecutive free throws for a 39-33 lead. Once again it was B. Latta leading another Scott City charge with a steal and layup, followed by another layin moments
later by N. Latta. It was a brand new ball game with 1:21 remaining when two free throws by Yager tied the score, 39-39. Scott City then regained possession without any time running off the clock when Lakin was called for a foul on the inbounds play. The Lady Beavers missed an opportunity to take the lead for the first time and 6-foot-2 senior Robin Ritsema was fouled on the rebound. Ritsema, who was 9-of10 at the free throw line in the game, hit both tosses with 33.2 seconds to play. SCHS had another opportunity to tie the game
with 14.6 seconds on the clock, but B. Latta was able to convert only one of her two free throws. On the following Lakin possession, Scott City was whistled for an intentional foul. They made one of the two free throws and added one more free throw when they were quickly fouled with 5.6 seconds left to take a 43-40 lead. Scott City missed a desperation three to force overtime. B. Latta finished with a team high 14 points - all coming in the second half - while N. Latta and Yager added 12 and 10 points, respectively. SCHS got
Recruits
Trust is still lacking on SCHS offense At times, it sounds like a broken record, but it’s a message that the SCHS boys will continue to hear throughout what remains of the basketball season. Success on offense begins with getting the ball inside. It doesn’t take a 6-foot-9 center to have an inside game. The Beavers have proven that during their five consecutive state title game appearances. Head coach Glenn O’Neil identifies one key element in creating that offensive bond between the guards and the post players - trust. “We don’t trust ourselves or we don’t trust the people we’re throwing to. Until we can establish that trust factor (the guards) probably aren’t going to make the pass inside,” says O’Neil, who continues to be frustrated with that phase of his team’s offensive development. Offense Stalls in 2nd Half One reason why the Scott City offense stalled in the second half was Lakin’s switch to a triangle-and-two. It accomplished what the Broncs wanted. After guards Dylan Hutchins and Drew Duff combined for six treys in the first half the Beavers were held scoreless from beyond the arc in the second half. The junk defense shouldn’t have been as effective as it was, notes O’Neil. “The guards stopped working to get the ball. They didn’t use any screens to get open. And the post guys weren’t playing physical,” he says. “Even in the first
half when (Lakin) was playing a 1-2-2 our guards did a poor job. It shouldn’t be that difficult to lob a pass to the high post against a gap zone (defense).” Just as troubling for O’Neil was the team’s mistakes down the stretch - something that has been an issue throughout the season. Too many turnovers. Too many unnecessary fouls. Too many poor decisions. “I don’t think we took a step back. I think we took a step sideways,” said O’Neil, who was hoping to maintain the momentum from their Orange and Black Classic title. “The mistakes we made are the mistakes we’ve been making all year. At some point we either clean them up or we don’t. That’s as simple as it gets.” Learning from WSU Talk about simple. Something that O’Neil has lectured his team about during the season is not telegraphing decisions so that the defense knows what to expect. “When it comes to passing we try to use Wichita State as an example since the boys are fans of Ron (Baker) and the Shockers. One thing we’ve always
just four more points from the rest of the lineup. Scott City’s second half defensive effort began with shutting down Ritsema who finished with a game high 19 points, but collected just five free throws after the intermission. “We were full fronting her, but in the first half our backside help wasn’t there. In the second half our backside help was there every time,” notes McCormick. “I was very proud of how our post girls were playing their big girl. She didn’t get a lot of easy shots, especially in the second half.”
(continued from page 20)
taught here is that to make a pass you have to fake a pass. If you watch Ron playing for Wichita State he still has that great habit. He’ll give a ball fake and see what the defense is going to do - see if the backside defense is cheating, if the skip pass is there, if the pass to the post is there on the second attempt if you fake the first one. Those are things we don’t do very well. “Because of that we telegraph some passes,” O’Neil says. “You’re better off throwing the ball into the stands than you are throwing an interception where they other team can get a fastbreak opportunity.” He’d also like to see the post players do more to get a shot or draw a foul. “At some point this year we might want to use a shot fake,” says the head coach. “That’s a suggestion that’s been said every day in practice. At some point we may want to shot fake someone and see if we can get them off the ground, maybe get to the free throw line or drive by them.” As O’Neil likes to remind his players: it’s all pretty simple.
K-State and KU aren’t going to have great recruiting classes and the 2016 season appears bleak for both programs. Kansas State has the necessary facilities, but the talent level is not what it has been for the last two decades. Kansas needs a major overhaul of Memorial Stadium, it’s become antiquated. K-State’s football rise to prominence can crumble in less time than it took to create it. The clock’s ticking and an insidious downward slide has begun. For KU, this is Coach Beaty’s first full year. It’s vital for the Jayhawks to put, at the least, a slightly improved team on the field this fall. Kudos to Weber If they were to give out the Big 12’s basketball Coach of the Year award in January, Kansas State’s Bruce Weber should be awarded the trophy. Coach Weber’s young team is improving steadily and blew by Oklahoma State (89-73) last Saturday. Considering all the freshmen he’s playing, Weber has done a masterful job with the Wildcats. Something is amiss with KU’s basketball team. Despite the 76-67 win over Texas, the Jayhawks are not playing well. Texas missed shot after open shot in the second half or it might have been a dispiriting loss. One mystery is what happened to freshman center Cheick Diallo? He started the game at OState, but only played 13 minutes. Against Texas, Landen Lucas and Jamari Traylor combined for 38 minutes, scoring just two points between them. Freshman Carlton Bragg played just five minutes and scored two points. Diallo and freshman guard Lagerald Vick didn’t play. Kansas plays Kentucky Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse and the Wildcats are, as usual, big, strong and talented. Lucas and Traylor won’t be able to hold their own against Kentucky’s frontline of Marcus Lee (69, 220), Alex Poythress (6-8, 238), Derek Wills (6-9, 216), and freshman Skal Labissiere (6-11, 215). Right now, Self isn’t playing any of his freshmen at the guard positions or in the pivot; that won’t work against Kentucky. Unless there are some significant changes, KU could take an embarrassing loss.
The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Takedown Kids Wrestling Hutch Novice Tournament January 24, 2016 6-Years and Under 43C: Colborn Trout maj. dec. by lRylan Luckner (Clearwater) 15-7; pinned by Justin Lee (Renegades) 0:29; dec. by O’Ryan Reyes (Hutchinson) 14-7. Fourth Place 9-10-Years-Old 110: Bryton Gregory dec. Tanner Weathers (Hutchinson) 5-4. First Place Hutchinson Invitational January 23, 2016 8-Years and Under 58-61B: Kamdyn Moore pinned by Cooper Wellbrock (Salina) 0:25; dec. by Lagrawn Thornton (Winfield) 11-4. 11-12-Years-Old 120-130: Leightyn Heim pinned Isaac Ybarra (Liberal) 0:41; dec. by Brennan Walker (Beloit) 1-0; dec. Breanna Ridgeway (Great Bend) 6-0; pinned by Keyan Miller (Con Kids) 1:52. Fourth Place Heavyweight: Jarron Gregory pinned Coleton Herman (Halstead) 0:17; pinned Herman (Halstead) 0:15. First Place Gray County Invitational January 23, 2016 6-Years and Under 40: Noah Wheeler tech. fall by Jayce Rodriguez (Ulysses) 16-0; pinned Johnny Quiroz (Dodge City); pinned Conner Larson (Liberal); pinned Dominic Sanchez (Ulysses). First Place 40B: Kale Clinton tech. fall Johnny Duarte (Dodge) 16-1; maj. dec. Kasch Beuhler (Gray) 8-0; dec. by Julian Ornelas (Ulysses) 106. Second Place 46B: Jaxon Fisher pinned Zach Vogel (Gray); pinned by Cayson Rohr (Dodge); pinned by Josiah Carlisle
(Dodge). Third Place 52: Kasey Rohrbough pinned Crayton Wright (Dodge); pinned Chucho Rico (Ulysses); pinned Tayson Guerra (Leoti); pinned Nathan Santana (Dodge); pinned Tayson Guerra (Leoti). First Place 52: Kirbey Rohrbough pinned Weston Loeppke (Lakin); maj. dec. Nathan Santana (Dodge) 12-2; pinned Braden Lacy (Gray); dec. by Tayson Guerra (Leoti) 4-1; pinned by Nathan Santana (Dodge) . Fourth Place 8-Years and Under 46-49: Konner Rohrbough dec. Angelo Otero (Greater Gold) 7-2; maj. dec. by Adan Vazquez (Lakin) 12-0; pinned by Javonte Andrade (Liberal). Third Place 58: Matthew Wheeler dec. by Dane Renick (Dodge) 7-2; pinned Preston Hittle (Ulysses); dec. Noah FloresSharp (Gray) 5-0; dec. by Dane Renick (Dodge) 6-5. Second Place 61: Blaze Gossman maj. dec. Michael Neis (Gray) 112; pinned Antonio Rivas (Syracuse); pinned Kasten Wren (Scott City); dec. by Adan Ornelas (Lakin) 5-2; pinned Kasten Wren (Scott City). Third Place 61: Brodey Rohrbough pinned by Matthew Long (Greater Gold); maj. dec. by Adan Ornelas (Lakin) 8-0; pinned Gage Latham (Gray); pinned Antonio Rivas (Syracuse); pinned Gage Latham (Gray). Fifth Place 61: Kasten Wren dec. Antonio Rivas (Syracuse) 2-0; maj. dec. Michael Neis (Gray) 14-0; pinned by Blaze Gossman (Scott City); pinned by Matthew Long (Greater Gold); pinned by Blaze Gossman (Scott City). Fourth Place 67: Kade John pinned
SCHS Wrestling John Higgins Invitational January 23, 2016 • at Lexington, Nebr. Team scores: Bennington 193, Millard West 174.5, Lincoln Southwest 156, Scott City 112, Hastings 104, Beatrice 97.5, Lexington 89.5, Sidney 89.5, North Platte 85, Bellevue West 83, McCook 61, Hershey 60.5, Holdrege 54.5, Cozad 36, Holyoke (Colo.) 14 106: Theron Tucker dec. Tanner York (Bea), 7-4; pinned by Camden Russell (MLW), 1:05; dec. by Matthew Curzon (Benn), 6-3; pinned by York, 2:08. Sixth place 113: Zach Tucker pinned Bryson Fralin (Bea), 0:49; pinned Coley Lacy (Hast), 1:30; dec. Kaden Vowers (Sid), 5-1; maj. dec. Jack Huffman (MLW), 13-4. First place 126: Alex Depperschmidt pinned by KC Higer (Sid), 2:36; pinned by Kaleb Dayhuff (Bea), 2:10. 138: Justin Hundertmark pinned by Ben Holman (MLW), 0:39; pinned by Joel Smith (Hast), 1:33. 145: Jarret Jurgens pinned Ethon Koehler (BW), 1:05; dec. Tomas Margritz (Lex), 4-2; pinned by Dylan Petersen (NP), 3:53. 152: Wyatt Hayes pinned Dawson Brannen (BW), 4:36; pinned Jacob Pinkerton (Bea), 1:11; dec. by Derek Robb (Sid), 7-3. Second place 160: Abe Wiebe dec. by Matt Sorich (MLW), 8-5; maj. dec. Aaron Shumaker (Bea), 9-0; dec. by Josh Duncan (Lex), 1-0; dec. by Duncan Fassler (MCC), 5-1. Sixth place 170: Trey Loftis maj. dec. by Doug Vawter (MLW), 13-4; dec. by Patric Hays (Sid), 3-2. 182: Tre Stewart dec. by Levi Cusatis (Has), 9-3; dec. Sterling Lech (MLW), 7-3; pin Wyatt Schutte (Coz), 4:05; dec. Jarrett Myers (LSW), 5-1; dec. Cusatis (Has), 5-3. Third place 195: Cooper Griffith dec. Tucker Bassinger (Bea), 7-2; dec. Zach Sorich (MLW), 2-1 OT; maj. dec. by Kyson Schnell (LSW), 13-3. Second place 220: Garrett Osborn dec. by Jake Menard (Benn), 13-9; pinned by David Duncan (Bea), 1:53.
Damian Bond (Gray); pinned Ashton Harjo (Sublette); pinned Zabian Najera (Dodge); maj. dec. Alexander Rodriguez (Scott City) 5-0; maj. dec. Ryland Price (Gray) 11-2. First Place 67: Alexander Rodriguez dec. by Ryland Price (Gray) 7-0; pinned Brandon Thompson (Syracuse); dec. by Kade John (Scott City) 5-0; pinned Ashton Harjo (Sublette). Third Place 80: Jacob Franco maj. dec. Brody Schmidt (Gray) 13-2; pinned Zane Gertsberger (Leoti); pinned Grant Niehues (Hugoton); dec. by Valentin Alvarado (Leoti) 147. Second Place 9-10-Years-Old 76: Kooper Wright pinned Jamie Turner (Sublette); pinned by Dylan Metzger (Greater Gold); pinned Caleb Bertholf (Dodge). Second Place 85: Houston Frank dec. Jj Altman (Leoti) 6-2; pinned Ryan Gonzales (Dodge); pinned Zach Harmon (Gray). First Place 120: Izak Venegas dec. by Anthony Najera (Sublette) 7-0; dec. Easton Rohr (Dodge) 10-6. Second Place 11-12-Years-Old 76-80: Zach Rohrbough pinned Stone Wilson (Dodge); maj. dec. Ryan Heiman (Greater Gold) 13-5. First Place 100: Kale Wheeler pinned Rudy Hernandez (Dodge); pinned Joshua Gonzales (Dodge). First Place 115-130: Ronnie Weathers pinned by Chandler Seaton (Leoti); pinned by Jaun Avalos (Dodge); pinned Cesar Arrendondo (Dodge. Fifth Place 150-165: Damian Ortiz pinned Trevor Grubbs (Syracuse); pinned Austin Wright (Gray). First Place
3-2-1A Regional Wrestling February 19-20 Beloit High School Teams: BellevilleRepublic County, Beloit, Bennington, Brookville-Ell Saline, Ellsworth, GypsumSE of Saline, Hays-TMP, Hoisington, Lincoln, Lyons, Mankato-Rock Hills, Marysville, Minneapolis, Osborne, Palco, Phillipsburg, Plainville, Riley County, Russell, Salina-Sacred Heart, Salina-St. John’s Military Academy, ScandiaPike Valley, Smith Center, Stockton Cimarron High School Teams: Anthony/HarperChaparral, Atwood, Cheney, Cimarron, Ellis, Garden Plain, Hill City, Hoxie, Ingalls, Lakin, Langdon-Fairfield, Larned, Leoti, MontezumaSouth Gray, Moscow, Norton, Oakley, Oberlin, Scott City, St. Francis, Stafford, Sterling, Sublette, Tribune, WaKeeney
Squirrels I have to admit squirrels are fun to watch as they roll around in those glass jar feeders and cling upside down to the side of a tree. This year we bought a rig that suspends two ears of corn on a wire with a spring on it a couple feet off the ground, making them jump up and cling onto the ears long enough to get a mouthful before dropping back to the ground. But they have a dark side too. They eat the fruit off trees, the grapes off grape vines, and they litter my front lawn with acorn shells from the nearby Pin Oaks. The bird feeder industry works overtime to make their products “squirrel proof,” but I doubt there is such a thing. They will chew on about anything, and I read where their appetite for electrical wiring has caused the shut-down of the NASDAQ twice in its history. The 2015-16 squirrel season in Kansas opened June 1 and runs through Feb 28 - extraordinarily long for any hunting
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season. Yet, the sport of squirrel hunting seems tremendously underutilized in Kansas. Granted, we don’t have the woods and forests that make squirrel hunting so popular in some other states, but we do have plenty of squirrels (besides the zillions that inhabit our towns.) From deer stands, I have often watched squirrels rustle about in the leaves beneath me, or heard them in the trees above and behind me as they scold me as an intruder, so I believe that our countryside has no squirrel deficiency. Smaller gauge shotguns and .22 rifles have always been the favored weapons for squirrel hunting, but many of the newer airpowered rifles would be excellent choices as squirrel guns. Naturally, nut trees are the biggest draw, but in the fall and winter, Osage Oranges (hedge apples) become an important food source, too. Squirrel hunting is a waiting game, so find a spot in the trees along the river or near a thick fence row where small chips of hedge apple
or nut shells litter the ground, and pick yourself a comfortable seat. Your patience will be rewarded as Mr. Bushy Tail will soon come out of hiding and begin scampering about, or scold you from a nearby branch. In either case, bide your time, and you’ll eventually get a shot. Squirrel hunting is a good way to hone your rifle marksmanship, as they don’t stand still very long. So dust off the old .22, sight in the scope (or adjust the open sights for you purists,) and head to the woods. Find yourself a comfortable seat against a big tree, and don’t be surprised if the serenity of the situation puts you to sleep. The worst case scenario will be some quiet time to yourself and a nice nap. The best case scenario will be both of the above plus a squirrel dinner. Either way, you’ll Explore Kansas Outdoors, so how can you lose? Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom.net
A Cure for SC’s offensive meltdown
Kyle Cure is normally pretty quiet at the offensive end of the floor. That’s not by design. E v e n Lakin 48 though Scott City 54 he’s getting significant varsity playing time this season, the Scott Community High School junior hasn’t felt comfortable in assuming a larger offensive role. He picked a good time to make some noise during Tuesday’s non-league game against Lakin. Cure scored a career high 10 points - including three consecutive baskets during a key stretch to open the fourth quarter and SCHS (9-3) held on for a 54-48 win. Having seen an 11 point second quarter lead disappear, Scott City was struggling offensively in the third quarter after the Broncs switched to a triangle-and-two defense in an effort to take guards Dylan Hutchins and Drew Duff out of the game. That strategy proved effective. After combining for six treys and 17 first half points the guard duo scored just three free throws in the second half. That offensive breakdown allowed Lakin to rally and take a brief 37-35 lead. Senior Drake McRae hit the final basket of the fourth quarter to knot the score at 37-37 entering the final eight minutes. That’s when Cure took over. Following a basket under the glass, the junior center hit a jumper from the free throw line and added another three-foot jumper. “I was looking for the ball and trying to score. I knew they were keying on our guards, so I tried to step up the best I could,”
says Cure. “I’m gaining more confidence with my shot.” “Kyle played real well. It was nice to see him willing to take a shot,” says head coach Glenn O’Neil. “He made the shot near the free throw line and followed up with another one inside. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kyle back in the starting lineup next game.” Following Cure’s fourth quarter contributions, Bo Hess added a short jumper off the glass that put his team back on top by six, 45-39, with 4:35 remaining. They were still protecting a 4943 lead with 1:50 remaining, but Scott City fans couldn’t rest easy in the final two minutes. A couple of SCHS turnovers and a couple of fouls kept Lakin in the game, trailing 49-46 with 30 seconds to play. The Broncs were forced to foul, but when an intentional foul was whistled with 22.2 seconds remaining it brought howls of protest from Lakin head coach Nate Schmitt and Bronco fans. Hutchins, who had been held scoreless the entire second half, hit one of the two shots awarded for the intentional foul and when he was fouled again two seconds later he added two more free throws to make it a 52-46 SCHS lead. An ill-advised backcourt foul put Lakin back on the line where they added two more free throws with only a couple of seconds coming off the clock. Scott City’s Justin Faurot was quickly put back on the foul line with 15.3 seconds left to play. He missed both free throws, but Drake McRae grabbed a huge rebound and got the
ball into the hands of Hess who was fouled with 7.2 seconds remaining. Hess made both charity tosses to put the game away. The win was Scott City’s five consecutive and seventh in their last eight games. However, five games have been decided by seven points or less with SCHS winning four of them. Tuesday’s win was huge as the Beavers battle for a top seed in their Class 3A sub-state tournament. They currently share the top spot with Sterling (8-3) and Larned (8-3) while Lakin (8-4) drops one game back. However, the Beavers still have highly regarded Hays-TMP, Hugoton and Holcomb remaining on their schedule, along with another sub-state opponent Cimarron (6-4) who they face on the home floor Tuesday. “This was a big win and it helps set the tone for sub-state,” said Cure following the Lakin game. “We can keep this win in the back of our minds and what we’ve learned about their shooters and their personnel if we meet again at sub-state. “But we also know that we have to play better than we did tonight.” While the Beavers had a rough shooting night, missing at least four or five easy baskets in the first half alone, it was the defense breakdowns which continue to bother O’Neil. “We gave them a couple of threes because of defensive lapses. We gave up the big three as the first half was ending because our guards were inside,” says O’Neil. “To start the second half, they ran a fade screen and the guy who is guarding the screener doesn’t switch
The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Driving to the basket during Tuesday’s non-league game against Lakin is SCHS junior Drew Duff. (Record Photo)
off on the fade. (Ryder) Yakel is shooting better from three-point than twopoint range and he gets in another three. By the time he banks in another three that makes the game pretty interesting.” Yakel, who finished with a game high 19 points, was 3-of-8 from
three-point distance. His second trey of the third quarter cut the lead to 3230. Hunter Kirby’s threepointer at the 4:05 mark put the Broncs on top, 3532. They were on top one final time at 37-35 before Scott City put together a 10-2 scoring run. “It’s kind of crazy that
we’re 9-3 with all the mistakes we keep talking about. We find a way to make it interesting and we find a way to escape with a win most of the time,” says O’Neil. “If we would learn to play smarter then maybe we wouldn’t have to find ourselves in so many close games.”
The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Champions of the Orange and Black Classic for the third consecutive year are (front row, from left) Reid Brunswig, Drew Duff, Drake McRae, Bo Hess, Justin Faurot and Gustavo Gonzalez. (Back row) assistant coach Brian Gentry, head coach Glenn O’Neil, Zach Carson, Jess Drohman, Nick Nowak, Kyle Cure, Marshall Faurot, Dylan Hutchins and assistant coach Alex Hutchins. (Lower left) Bo Hess accepts his Tournament Most Valuable Player Award. (Lower right) Glenn O’Neil was recipient of the Tom Bowen Coaches Award. (Record Photos)
3-Peat (continued from page 17)
into the game. With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, Scott City held only a 12-9 edge before the offense finally got on track with three treys down the stretch. McRae, who finished with 10 points, started the run with a three-point basket, junior Kyle Cure followed with a shot off the glass and Duff kept the momentum going with back-to-back treys that stretched Scott City’s advantage to 23-11. Duff, who was 4-of-8 from beyond the threepoint line and scored 12 points, said that the guards have done a better job of getting the ball into the post which has contributed to better offensive production on the perimeter. “Coach keeps reminding us that our best percentage shot is to get the ball to the post and then to kick it back out to the three-point shooters,” said Duff. Offense Keeps Rolling Even with a fairly comfortable 25-14 halftime lead the Beavers weren’t satisfied. “The halftime lead we had (against McCook) was very similar to our other two tournament games, but we didn’t put those teams away like we should have,” said senior guard Dylan Hutchins. “Coach said to play like it was zero to zero going into the third quarter. He said we needed to keep the pressure on and not let this team back into
the game like we’ve been doing,” said Hutchins. “We got the quick scoring run and we kept adding on from there.” Junior forward Bo Hess, who finished with a game high 14 points (5-of-7 FG), collected seven of those during a 3:08 span to start the second half. That was part of an 18-2 scoring blitz that began with Justin Faurot’s basket to close out the first half and extended into the fourth quarter when a pair of free throws by McRae pushed Scott City’s advantage to 43-16 with 6:28 left in the game. At that point, the championship was firmly in Scott City’s grasp and O’Neil began clearing his bench, making sure that everyone who was suited up had a chance to experience a title game. “In the last few games
the big difference is that everyone is gaining confidence,” says Hess, who averaged 18 points and seven rebounds per game to be named the Tournament MVP. “We started the season with a team that, overall, had very little varsity playing time. Everyone is starting to understand their roles and what they need to do in order for this team to get the W.” McRae, who averaged eight points per game during the tournament and was 3-of-5 from the field against McCook, has begun to emerge as a scoring threat in the paint and on the perimeter. “I’ve been working a lot on my shot,” says McRae. “Coach O’Neil and Coach (Brian) Gentry have been telling me that my shot’s too flat, so I’ve been giving my outside
shots a little more arch. turnovers and then we Seeing them start to fall knew we could trap them has given me a lot more as much as we wanted,” confidence.” The main message that the Beavers want to take Eliminating Turnovers from this game forward is Another key in the to stay aggressive. championship game was “I’m trying to attack Scott City’s ability to take more and I was able to crecare of the ball. ate shots for others when The Beavers committed I did,” added Hutchins. a season low seven turn- “When I saw those shots overs against McCook, going in for other guys compared with 15 the that’s some of the most previous night against fun I’ve ever had. It’s a Fountain-Fort Carson. lot more fun when every“We’ve been a great one’s involved.” defensive team all year, but when we commit turn- Valuable Experience overs it doesn’t help our The opportunity defense,” noted Hutchins. to play in a title game “If we can keep our turn- should prove valuable for over total low then we can the Beavers as they look hold teams to 22 points.” ahead to sub-state play. “(McCook) didn’t have “Coach O’Neil said it kids who were as quick was important for us to as the two teams we’d experience what it’s like played earlier (in the tour- to be in a championship nament). We forced them game,” says McRae. “If into a couple of early we can get back into the
championship game at sub-state, then we know what to expect. It will take off some of the pressure.” The squad was also glad they could give Coach O’Neil one more Orange and Black championship in his final season. The Beavers have won the Orange and Black five times during O’Neil’s tenure - 2006, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. While they are the first threepeat champions in the tournament’s history, they might have put together a six year streak if not for competing in the Dodge City Tournament of Champions in 2011 and 2013. “This year is special because it was a chance to send Coach O’Neil out of here as a champion in his last game on this court,” Hutchins said.
The SCHS cheer squad and players were recipients of the Orange and Black Marvin B. Stark “Spirit Award”
The Scott County Record • Page 25 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Beavers hold off Fort Carson rally in semis There seemingly are very few “easy” wins for the Scott Community High School boys. Despite l e a d i n g Fountain-Fort Carson for the entire game - Ft. Carson 45 Scott City 48 at one time by 16 points - the Beavers had to hold on at the end for a 48-45 win in the semi-finals of the Orange and Black Classic. After watching their lead shrink to a single point with just 1:04 remaining, Scott City hit 7-of-8 free throws during the final minute to withstand the late charge by the Fort Carson. Scott City seized early control of the game against the taller Trojans. Junior guard Drew Duff drilled a three-pointer to give the Beavers a 20-4 lead
with 5:21 still remaining in the first half. It seemed as though SCHS was on cruise control to an easy win, but they couldn’t put the Trojans away. Fort Carson climbed back into the game with an 11-4 scoring run to close out the first half to make it a 24-15 game. SCHS was still leading by nine, 41-32, with just over four minutes left in the game when Fort Carson’s full-court pressure began to take a toll, forcing five turnovers down the stretch and allowing the Trojans to score eight unanswered points that cut the deficit to one point, 41-40. “We’re so tunnel-visioned on the defenders that we don’t look for our own guys,” noted head
coach Glenn O’Neil. “We had guys who were open. We should be able to dribble without looking at the ball and we should be able to see the defense with our peripheral vision. If we do that we’ll be able to look down the floor and see where the open guys are.” Senior guard Dylan Hutchins slowed the Trojan momentum by hitting the first of two free throws. On the missed second attempt, however, junior forward Bo Hess was able to grab the rebound and moments later he was put on the line where he scored the final two of his 14 points, giving Scott City a 44-40 lead with 48.9 seconds to play. After both teams exchanged trips to the free throw line where
they each hit a pair, Fort Carson drained a rainbow three-pointer that once again cut the margin to one point, 46-45, with 17.9 seconds on the clock. Hutchins was quickly put on the line where he hit both attempts - giving him 5-of-6 in the final minute - and pushing the lead back to three points with 17.1 seconds to play. Fort Carson missed an opportunity to tie the game and SCHS regained possession out-of-bounds along the Trojan baseline. A half-court pass was knocked loose and Fort Carson was able to gain control of the ball just long enough to launch a desperation shot that was wide. Hess says the team needs to break its habit of becoming less aggressive during the final min-
Brunswig plays big in the paint as JV break Broncs At 5-foot-10, Reid Brunswig isn’t going to strike fear into the hearts of anyone playing in the paint. B u t the Scott Community High Lakin 36 School Scott City 58 sophomore plays bigger than his size. It’s not the six points that Brunswig scored, but how he battles to get them that impressed coach Brian Gentry following the junior varsity’s 58-36 romp over Lakin on the home floor Tuesday. “Reid’s not a big guy, but he gets into the post and he works hard,” says Gentry. “If any of our guys don’t mind physical play in the paint it’s him. He does a great job and he works for position which is what we’re trying to teach our taller guys. If we can get them to post up with the same intensity and the same mindset as Reid does, then we become more effective in everything we’re doing. “He battles for the offensive rebounds and putbacks. It’s great to see his hard work paying off,” said Gentry. Brunswig scored backto-back baskets in the paint to give SCHS (4-2) an early 6-5 lead which was part of a 15-0 scoring run which gave the Beavers a 17-5 advantage and control of the game. Junior guard Jess Drohman, who finished with 12 points, also had the hot hand from long range. He drilled consecutive three-pointers that finished off the 15 point scoring burst and added two more back-to-back
Scott City’s Guido Lotti pulls down a rebound during Tuesday’s junior varsity win over Lakin. (Record Photo)
treys late in the second period that pushed the lead to 31-14. “Jess has games where he gets on a roll. If he knocks down one, then you feed him again, and when he knocks down a second one you keep getting him the ball more and more,” Gentry says. “His ability to hit shots early was a confidence boost for our guys. I think everyone fed off of it because we shot the ball really well in the first half which camouflaged the
sloppiness and lack of execution we saw on offense at times.” Any thoughts that Lakin may have had of a late comeback after cutting the lead to 35-21 following a three-point basket were quickly erased. Scott City put the game away with a 13-0 scoring outburst in the third period that opened up a 48-21 cushion following Dexter Gooden’s three-pointer. Sophomore center Zach Carson was the only other
Beaver in double figures with 12 points, followed by sophomore guard Nick Nowak with nine. “This was probably our best rebounding game, offensively and defensively, this season,” says Gentry. “We needed to do a better job of keeping (Lakin) out of the paint (offensively), but for the most part it was good game. “It was nice to get the 22 point win and still know there are so many areas where we can improve.”
utes of a game while protecting a lead. “That’s happened a couple of times where we’re not attacking like we need to be,” says Hess. “I should have been attacking more late in the game. Some of that’s on me. Some of it is dumb passes. We need to settle down and take control of the game.” After the fast start, Scott City cooled down offensively and finished the game hitting just 38 percent from the field (15of-39), including only 3-of-12 from beyond the three-point line. Hess finished with a doubledouble - 14 points (5-of-8 FG), 11 rebounds and five assists while Drake McRae just missed getting a double-double with eight points and 12 boards.
Hess scores 26 in opener against KC Scott City’s opening game in the Orange and Black Classic turned into the Bo Hess show as the junior forward poured in 26 points to lead the Beavers to a 60-45 win over Kansas City Schlagle. Hess, who was 9-of-10 from the field, scored his team’s first eight points and 12 of the first 14. During one stretch in the first half, after Schlagle had cut the lead to one points, 19-18, Hess answered with eight consecutive Schlagle 45 points to build a 27-18 cushion. Scott City 60 It wasn’t part of the game plan, says Hess, who went on to be named the tournament’s MVP. “In the first half it seemed that everyone was tentative so I decided that I’d have to take over a little bit and get things started,” Hess says. “As the game went along everyone started getting more comfortable.” Despite the outstanding offensive performance from Hess, the Beavers couldn’t shake loose from Schlagle and they were protecting a 38-37 lead after the Stallions hit a basket to open the fourth quarter. Senior guard Dylan Hutchins, who had been limited to just five points during the first 24 minutes, gave the Beavers some breathing room with eight consecutive points - including two of his three treys for the game. That was part of a 13-2 scoring run which saw Scott City build a 53-39 lead with less than four minutes remaining. Hutchins finished the game with 17 points. Orange and Black Classic Boys’ All-Tournament Team Bo Hess Scott City Dylan Hutchins Scott City Drake McRae Scott City Travis Wallen McCook Jordan Young KC Schlagle Ronnell Mitchell KC Schlagle David De La Rosa Wichita West TJ Lucero Fountain-Fort Carson Djimon O’Neal Fountain-Fort Carson Quentin Gutierrez Pine Creek Academic Team: Dylan Hutchins Girls’ All-Tournament Team Brenly Terrell Colby Samaiyah Worrell Fountain-Fort Carson Nisha Owens KC Schlagle Ashley Daniels KC Schlagle Sam Rippley Palmer Ridge Jasmine Sanders Palmer Ridge Jayne Lydiatt Pine Creek Spencer Lindsey Pine Creek Emma List Pine Creek Nicole Latta Scott City Academic Team: Nicole Latta, Addie Price
The Scott County Record • Page 26 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Hornets look for intensity after 3rd place finish
Winning isn’t just about intensity - but without it winning is going to be a lot more difficult. T h e Dighton H i g h School b o y s brought Hoxie 42 intensity Dighton 59 in their 59-42 win over Hoxie in the consolation finals of the Northwest Kansas League Tournament. It was nowhere to be found in their semi-final round, 56-33, loss to St. Francis last Friday. “We played a whole different game (Saturday) and we played much better team ball,” says Cramer about their romp over Hoxie to claim third place in the tournament which was played in
Sharon Springs. “When these guys are unselfish and work what we want (on offense) then we are a much better team offensively,” said Cramer. Sophomore guard Jordan Horn jump-started the Hornets (8-4) with 10 of his 13 points in the opening period, including a pair of treys. Dighton led 16-10 after one quarter and were on top, 31-22, at halftime. Junior pivot Tyler Lingg scored nine of his game high 27 points during the second quarter and added 10 more in the third period as the Hornets extended their lead to 18 points, 51-33. “Tyler was more athletic than the boy who was guarding him and he was able to take advan-
tage of that. We have to recognize the mismatches and use that to our advantage,” Cramer said. “These boys have to understand that we can’t just sit back and be content with shooting threes,” said the head coach. “When Tyler is moving, cutting to the basket and wanting the ball he can do anything he wants. But if he, or anyone else on the team, is just standing around then anyone can guard us and it doesn’t matter what offense I run. It won’t work.” T. Lingg finished off a well-rounded game with nine rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore guard Logan Lingg added 12 points and four boards. From the field, the
A three-pointer by Hornets were 24-of-44 (55%), including 6-of-9 T. Lingg was the only from beyond the three- Dighton basket over the point arc. final eight minutes. Dighton had cut the Ambushed in Semis deficit to only five points The lopsided loss in in the third quarter, but the semi-finals still had once again it was sophoCramer shaking his head more guard Tate Busse a day later. Just a week who deflated the Hornets earlier the Hornets had with a three-pointer. lost to St. Francis, but that “He did the same thing came by three points in to us in the fourth quarter overtime. and overtime the last time So what happened in a we played,” said Cramer. week’s time? “Credit their coach and “I told the boys that sometheir team for making one has to take charge some adjustments, but the defensively and not give bigger issue is the lack of up that shot.” The play of sophomore intensity we saw from our center Isaac Torson was kids,” says Cramer. the lone bright spot for the Despite digging themselves into a 28-17 half- Hornets. Torson scored 10 time hole, the Hornets of his team high 12 points had cut the margin to nine (6-of-9 FG) in the first points, 39-30, entering the half, but a twisted ankle fourth quarter. limited his effectiveness
Lady Hornets coast by Wildcats in semis
Finals
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than anyone else has.’ I want to get the win.” The Lady Hornets (102) will have one more chance on their home floor on Feb. 12. A Quick Start Both teams clearly showed they are the NWKL’s elite and for the first eight minutes Dighton put on a clinic while breaking Hoxie’s full-court press. A fastbreak layup by senior Dakota Hoffman, a three-point basket by senior guard Kiara Budd and another basket by Hoffman, with an assist from Jordan Speer, was part of a 4-of-4 start from the field that gave the Lady Hornets a 9-3 lead just 1-1/2 minutes into the game. After Hoxie had cut the deficit to a single point, Dighton closed out the quarter with two baskets by Speer in the paint, followed by a steal and layup by junior guard Sara Cramer just ahead of the buzzer for a 20-13 advantage. “We knew they would press and we did a good job of attacking it and getting some easy baskets,” says Felker. “We were hitting our shots early and we were finding the open girl.” However, Hoxie’s triangle-and-two defense designed to limit Cramer and Budd’s effectiveness in the half-court offense - began to have an effect. After scoring six points in the opening period, Cramer was limited to just one field goal and five points over the final three quarters while Budd added just one more field goal. In addition, the Lady Indians had two girls collapsing on Speer in the paint. “That basically left them playing one girl on two of our girls,” noted Felker. “They weren’t going to let Kiara and Sara beat them, so other girls had to step up,” said Felker. Outside of Cramer and Budd, Dighton’s
for most of the second half. From three-point range the Hornets were a frigid 16 percent (3-of-19). T. Lingg and Horn added seven points each on a combined 5-of-21 from the field. Lingg added 10 rebounds and seven assists. Cramer also noted that St. Francis was the “more physical team,” which was reflected in Dighton’s ability to grab just three offensive rebounds. “I wasn’t happy about the loss, but I was even more unhappy about the lack of effort,” Cramer added. “We didn’t have the effort against St. Francis and we did against Hoxie. We have to figure out what it takes to play with that kind of effort every night.”
With their sights set on appearing in the championship game, the Dighton High School girls wasted little time getting past Sharon Springs, 56-28, in the semi-finals of the Northwest Kansas League Tournament. This game was over early with Dighton jumping out to a 19-8 first quarter lead and resting on a 36-10 cushion at halftime.
Three Lady Hornets scored in double figures, led by junior pivot Jordan Speer with 16 points (7-of-9 FG) and 12 rebounds, followed by junior guard Sara Cramer with 14 points (6-of-9 FG) and seven assists. Senior guard Kiara Budd, who knocked down a couple of treys, finished with 10 points and six assists.
Balanced attack leads Indians over Rabbits
Dighton senior Dakota Hoffman scores on a putback during Saturday’s NWKL championship game against Hoxie. (Record Photo)
other guards scored just three points. That was a three-pointer by freshman Emily Sheppard late in the first half which put Dighton back on top, 29-27. Cramer’s final point of the night was a free throw that gave DHS their last lead of the game, 30-29, before Hoxie regained a 31-30 advantage just before halftime. Hoffman, who finished with a team high 15 points, scored Dighton’s only field goal in the third period, briefly cutting the deficit to 35-32. Hoxie closed out the quarter with a 10-0 scoring run. One key to Hoxie’s offensive success after the first quarter was their ability to get the ball inside. Dighton was effective in taking away the threepoint shot, allowing just three for the game and none in the second half. “They were clearing everyone to one side and leaving the backside
open,” Felker pointed out. “If we provided help defense then they would kick it back out to their three-point shooters. We weren’t physical enough in the paint.” Late Scoring Run As is typical with a Dighton-Hoxie game, the Lady Hornets were able to make a late run and climb back into the game. A 9-2 scoring surge to open the fourth period, capped by Hoffman’s rebound and putback, cut the deficit to 47-41 with 5:10 remaining. That’s as close as Dighton would get as they added just one more free throw during the next three minutes. Speer, who was limited to just one field goal in the second half, finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Cramer was also in double figures with 11 points, six steals and five assists.
Felker says her young guards need to be willing to shoot the ball, especially when teams are focusing their defensive attention on Cramer and Budd. “The way (Hoxie) was playing defense they were daring our other guards to shoot. They had some wide open opportunities and we only attempted two or three shots,” she said. “That’s part of being young and inexperienced, but until you can establish yourself as a scoring threat then teams are going to continue focusing their attention on our other girls. “As frustrating as it is, we aren’t going to let this one game or one team affect us,” adds Felker. “We still have so much to work for and we can still have a great season. We have to keep the bigger picture in mind and that’s doing well in the post season and getting to state.”
Four players scored in double figures to lead the Wichita County High School boys to a 55-37 non-league win over Tribune on Tuesday. The Indians (5-8) have won four of their last six games, including a 2-2 performance in the Hi Plains League Tournament. The WCHS defense was in control of Tuesday’s game, limiting the Jackrabbits to just 20 points through the first three quarters. Senior Kyler Long, who was 7-of-11 from the field, led the Indians with 18 points, followed by junior guard Juan Alvarado (13 pts., 8 reb.), Jacob Schumacher (12
pts., 7 reb.) and Jorge Gallegos (10). Top Sublette in Tourney The Indians rode the hot shooting of Schumacher and Alvarado for a 49-38 win over Sublette in the consolation semi-finals of the HPL Tournament. The duo each scored 17 points as WCHS built a 29-10 halftime lead and coasted for the win. Alvarado also led the team with eight rebounds while junior Kolton Sheppard added five assists. As a team, WCHS shot 58 percent from the field (19-of-33). In the consolation the Indians lost to Meade, 81-59.
The Scott County Record
Page 27 - Thursday, January 28, 2016
straight shooter
Scott City youth a rising star in NRA, Jr. Olympics shoots When she was just an infant, Ansley Grothusen was often referred to by her parents as Annie Dawn Oakley. “As it’s turned out, it looks like Annie has decided to live up to the nickname,” says her grandfather, Rex Grothusen. While she’s not a trick shot artist, Grothusen is earning a reputation as a marksman in 4-H and Junior Olympics competition. Over the past four years the 13-year-old Scott City youth has emerged as not only one of the top shooters in Kansas, but throughout the Midwest. Even with her nickname it wasn’t as though her parents were pushing her in that direction. “It wasn’t anything we’d even talked about,” says her father, Todd. “One Sunday afternoon she said, ‘Dad, I want to shoot.’ It came out of nowhere. It took off from there.” That was while the family was still living in western Nebraska, so they signed her up for 4-H shooting sports. She started in BB gun competition and a year later added air rifles. Even Ansley doesn’t have an explanation. She just knows that it’s something that seems to come naturally.
In her first ever 4-H competition she placed third and her success has continued to build. She has also begun entering Junior Olympics and National Rifle Association tournaments. Before moving to Scott City a year ago, Ansley was one of the top five finalists in the Nebraska NRA tournament and qualified for sectional. “I didn’t do so well (at sectional), but I was the youngest kid there by about four years,” she points out. More recently, Ansley traveled to Sedgwick County to participate in a 4-H state qualifier. Competing in the 13-14year group, she was the overall champion in air rifle with a score of 517 out of a total of 600 points. She was third in BB gun with a 383 total out of 400 - including 16 dead center hits out of 40 targets. She finished just two points out of first. There were about 80 4-H youth representing 16 counties who participated in the shoot. Ansley raised her shooting to another level during the Oklahoma State Games and USA Junior Olympics events held in Oklahoma City last weekend where she was competing against youth up to
Ansley Grothusen recently earned the “Top Shot” award in the Oklahoma State Games and USA Junior Olympics shooting competitions held in Oklahoma City. (Record Photo)
21-years-old. She claimed first place honors in air rifle in both divisions and was also named the “Top Shot” award winner. Ansley took aim at 60 standing targets and posted a score of 524 out of a possible 600. In the Junior Olympics as well as the Oklahoma State Games, the competition was limited to standing targets. Only in 4-H is the competition broken down into prone, kneeling and standing targets. Air rifles targets are set at
10 meters and BB guns at five meters. Next stop for Ansley will be the NRA Junior Olympics event to be held at Alliance, Nebr., in another week. From there, she will once again have the opportunity to advance to the NRA sectional. Ansley takes her shooting seriously spending several hours each week practicing in her grandfather’s shop. “When we lived in Nebraska it was a lot more convenient for
Ansley to practice about 1-1/2 hours almost every day,” says Todd. Getting into Scott City isn’t quite so convenient for the Grothusens from their rural farm home, but Ansley still finds time to target practice for 1-1/2 to two hours about three days a week. “It’s fun,” says Ansley with a huge smile. “I meet lots of other kids and it’s a chance to see how good I can be against some really good shooters.”
A budget crisis, but with a ray of hope The 2016 Kansas legislative session has begun and, so far, things are off to a slow start. Gov. Brownback gave his State of the State message and many observers shared my disappointment and surprise that the governor failed to mention the serious financial challenges facing the state. I noted that it could well be the defining issue of the 2016 legislative session. Two months ago I wrote about the difficult situation the state is in, with current revenue receipts falling short of budgeted expenditures. Some folks maintain we have a spending problem and not a revenue problem, and that the solution to the shortfall is to cut state budgets some more. However many legislators, as well as Kansas citizens, have now come to the conclusion that any further budget cuts will affect vital governmental services and do real harm to the people of the state. Since November, the state’s financial picture has actually gotten a bit worse. December receipts once again followed the recent trend and failed to meet expectations. Last week Governor Brownback presented his Governor’s Budget Report (GBR) as a pathway to solution. However we have a problem. If the recommendations contained in this report were adopted - and given what we know of December revenue shortfalls - the projected ending balance at the end of the current fiscal year on June 30 would be only $9 million. That is enough to fund state government for 12-1/2 hours. If everything works as projected, we will end the fiscal year with only enough money
Legislative Update Rep. Don Hineman 118th District
in the bank to get us to noon of the next day. And things rarely work as projected. A Ray of Hope Fortunately, another report issued last week shines a ray of hope on this difficult situation. An efficiency study of state government was commissioned by the Legislative Coordinating Council last spring at a cost of $2.6 million. Alvarez and Marsal, the firm which conducted the study, released their findings last week. The 266-page report contained 105 recommendations for streamlining government and making it more efficient and cost-effective. Their estimate of the total savings over five years, if all of their recommendations were adopted, is an impressive $2.04 billion. I have reviewed their recommendations and am impressed with the depth of their study and the common-sense nature of most of their recommendations. In fact, some of them are so common-sense that we should have already known about them, and in a few instances we did. An example is the recommendation to hire more agents and auditors at Department of Revenue for the purposes of collecting delinquent taxes (page 208). I remember discussion of this matter as early as 2010 and, in fact, we appropriated more funds for the hiring of extra personnel at that time.
At what point does school district realignment become consolidation? This past week Rep. John Bradford (R-Leavenworth) introduced House Bill 2504 to “realign” school districts throughout the state. Funny thing though. His realignment looks a lot like district consolidation. This bill requires all counties with fewer than 10,000 students to consolidate into a county-wide district. In counties with more than 10,000 students, districts would be consolidated such that no district would have fewer than 1,500 students. The State Board of Education would redraw the lines in 2017 and would then redraw them each subsequent 10 years. Obviously this would have very significant impacts on rural school districts throughout the state, including all 20 school districts contained within my legislative district. Can the state save some money by consolidating? Yes, of course.
But the savings come with significant costs at both the state and local level, and there is continuing controversy about how great the net savings might be. A Legislative Post Audit study of the question in February 2010 estimated that $138 million per year could be saved by forcing consolidation of districts with fewer than 1,600 students. However such a plan would involve the bussing of an additional 7,000 students and thousands of more miles of student transit would be the result throughout Kansas. Other costs would be incurred in the need to construct additional buildings or classrooms at the new centralized locations. One intangible, but quite real cost, of course, is the cost to a community if the consolidation plan leads to the closing of an attendance center or the elimination of a district. Quite often this is the final
Alvarez and Marsal identified the greatest potential for fiveyear savings in these areas: Education $609 million Department of Revenue $382 million Medicaid $190 million Risk Management and Insurance $177 million Procurement $142 million Information Technology $43 million
But since then staffing has again declined and the need has grown. Alvarez and Marsal estimate that this step alone could generate $322 million for the state over the next five years. So will we act on these recommendations? I believe we
will, at least in part. Bureaucratic inertia is an ever-present problem, and departmental control and turf battles will no doubt arise. The Department of Revenue is already acting on the suggestion mentioned above, but at least one other department
step toward extinction of the community. The study issued two final recommendations. The first was to consider limiting or eliminating the provision allowing districts to enter into long-term inter-local agreements with another district to share entire grades. The second recommendation was to enhance incentives to encourage districts to voluntarily consolidate. There was no recommendation to force consolidation, and any top-down initiative to do so, as HB 2504 would do, is absolutely the wrong approach. I find it quite significant that the Alvarez and Marsal study, while including a number of suggestions for savings in the K-12 system, did not recommend any move toward forced consolidation. I view HB 2504 as a big-government approach to problem solving, and I will fight it vigorously.
head has registered resistance to some of the suggestions. However we have the opportunity to turn suggestions into fully-enacted cost-saving and streamlining measures, and there is no better time for that than when the state is in a full-blown budget crisis as it is now. It is probably unrealistic to think that we can, or will, achieve the entire $2.04 billion of savings. But I am very encouraged that many of the suggestions in the report can and should be put into practice. I intend to do whatever I can to move the process along.
Farm
The Scott County Record
ag briefs
EPA proposes discharge permit for pesticide spraying The EPA proposed a Clean Water Act discharge permit for pesticide spraying near or on waters, replacing the existing permit set to expire on Oct. 31, 2016. The draft permit, under the EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), would apply to more than 365,000 pesticide users, including local municipalities, state agencies, pesticide applicators, farmers, ranchers, forest ranchers and scientists. State permitting authorities also can adopt the general pesticide permit as finalized by the EPA. The EPA is seeking comments on costs incurred by permit holders until March 11. Congressional Republicans and some Democrats have attempted to ban the NPDES, noting the unnecessary dual regulations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Clean Water Act. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed this related legislation, the Sensible Environmental Protection Act of 2015, but the bill has not yet been considered by the full Senate.
Anti-RFS amendments are anticipated
While exact timing is unclear, multiple anti-Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) amendments are expected during the Senate’s debate on the Energy Policy Modernization Act. A proposed amendment by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) would repeal the RFS while a proposed amendment by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) would prohibit the USDA from funding renewable fuel infrastructure investments.
Page 28 - Thursday, January 28, 2016
‘Going it alone’ with water conservation While the majority of the people in Western Kansas would like to conserve our irrigation water supplies - and are still trying to decide how to do so - can one man go it alone? Almost 40 years ago I was sitting in the office of Extension ag economist Don Pretzer in Waters Hall on the campus of Kansas State University talking about ways to conserve the Ogallala aquifer in Western Kansas. And he made a very good observa-
Wheat and more . . . or less by Vance Ehmke
tion. Let’s just say there is a section of ground and each quarter section has an irrigation well on it. One farmer decides he’s going to do the right thing by shutting off his well so he can conserve the water. “All you’re going to get for doing that,” said Don, “is a warm feeling in your heart that
you did the right thing - and your neighbors will get all the water.” In a recent conversation with Bill Mai from Sharon Springs in Wallace County, he says that is exactly the way it works. Bill explained that back in 1948 his family drilled an irrigation well 221 feet to shale. Back then it was pumping 1000 gallons per minute. After 51 years of pumping, the well discharge from this observation well was down to between 300 and 350 gpm
when measured in the fall. In the spring, the well discharge was about 450 gpm. The initial depth to water was 104 feet, but in 1996, it was 167 feet to water. All that’s left is 53 feet, or 45% of the water. At that point, when he looked at what was happening, Bill made the decision to shut the well off along with two other wells on the same section and two other wells on land several miles away. (See ALONE on page 29)
Legislators begin debate on changes to noxious weed law Sierra Club warns of health risk from increased use of chemical herbicides Agribusiness organizations and large agriculture lobbies are lining up against environmental advocates and smaller agriculture groups on a bill to change how Kansas designates problem weeds and targets them for eradication. The Kansas Cooperative Council, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and Kansas Livestock Association support House Bill 2479, which would transfer the authority for designating “noxious” weeds from the Legislature to the Kansas agriculture secretary. The livestock association represents more than 5,000 ranchers, dairy farmers, feedlot
owners and others. Its senior vice president, Mike Beam, told the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that weeds that choke off valuable grazing grasses can proliferate before the ponderous legislative process aids in their eradication. “Our members repeatedly have suggested our state’s noxious weed law should be updated and modified to offer more protection from the introduction of new noxious weed and/or invasive plant species,” Beam said. “The provisions of HB 2479 certainly provide a positive step in the right direction.” The co-op and agribusiness groups said they generally prefer policymaking through the Legislature rather than the executive branch’s rules and regulations process. But in this case, they would prefer the technical expertise of the Agriculture Department and an advisory committee the bill would create.
Our members repeatedly have suggested our state’s noxious weed law should be updated and modified to offer more protection from the introduction of new noxious weed and/or invasive plant species. Mike Beam, senior vice-president Kansas Livestock Association
Current Kansas law designates 12 weeds as noxious. The law provides no guidance nor legal requirement that legislators scrutinize factors like origin, reproductive methods or effect on native species when deciding whether to add a weed to the list. Chad Bontrager, assistant secretary of agriculture, said HB 2479 would allow for a more scientific approach. Rep. Tom Moxley (R-Council Grove) said the bill greatly expanded the authority of the executive branch and asked Bontrager why it was necessary. “Can you give me an example of where current law . . . has failed?” Moxley said.
NCBA wants Senate to investigate cattle trading Agriculture markets can be quite unstable, but 2015 was especially volatile for cattle markets. Cattle futures dropped 16% at end of last year, a rate not seen in 34 years. The rapid drop has cattle organizations worried about just how wild the roller coaster ride has become and why. R-CALF USA has asked the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary to investigate the collapse and primarily blames large meatpackers for the fall. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association members are looking at futures trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The cattlemen’s group hosted a meeting with its members in December to explore their concerns with the state
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of cattle trading. NCBA hosted a meeting with members in December to explore their concerns with the state of cattle trading. On Jan. 13, NCBA officials sent a letter to Terrence Duffy, executive chairman and president for the CME Group to express members’ concerns with the situation. “For several months we have been hearing from our members across the country regarding market volatility and their concerns about high frequency trading’s contribution to that volatility,” the letter said. It continued: “The effectiveness of cattle futures contracts as a viable risk management tool is being (See TRADING on page 29)
Bontrager said five of the weeds on the list currently were added too late to be eradicated, and now the Agriculture Department only hopes to contain them. Once a weed is declared noxious, landowners are required by law to control and limit it on their property. Government subsidies for herbicides are provided for that purpose. County weed directors are empowered to go onto any property and eradicate weeds at the owner’s expense if the owner does not comply with the law. The Kansas Sierra Club, Kansas Rural Center and Kansas Farmers Union expressed con-
Market Report Closing prices on January 26, 2016 Bartlett Grain Wheat.................. $ 4.08 White Wheat ....... $ 4.08 Milo .................... $ 3.07 Corn ................... $ 3.60 Soybeans (new crop) $ 7.86 Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 4.07 White Wheat ....... $ 4.12 Milo (bu.)............. $ 2.96 Corn.................... $ 3.59 Soybeans ........... $ 7.87 Sunflowers.......... $ 14.10 ADM Grain Wheat.................. Milo (bu.)............. Corn.................... Soybeans............ Sunflowers..........
$ 4.17 $ 3.02 $ 3.64 $ 7.82 $ 14.60
(See WEED on page 29)
Weather January January January January January January January
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
H 25 37 40 37 32 51 60
L 18 18 18 18 13 22 23
P
Moisture Totals January 2016 Total
0.30 .30
Food Facts America’s first large pasta factory was built in Brooklyn, New York in 1848 by a Frenchman who would spread out his spaghetti strands on the roof to dry in the sunshine.
The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Alone
(continued from page 28)
He did that for two reasons. “One was partly moral and one was partly economic.” From the moral point of view, Bill feels we have an obligation to future generations to leave them something. “Here in Western Kansas, water is very important to the viability and sustainability of our communities and families,” he notes. From an economic point of view, he felt they were just as well off farming the land as dryland rather than irrigated. That was partly because, even though they shut the
Weed
wells off, they got to keep the higher irrigated crop bases upon which government payments are based. In an effort to further conserve water, Bill says they had earlier converted from continuous irrigated production to a wheatcorn-fallow program where they provided supplemental irrigation water in two of the three years and fallowed the ground in the third year to store up moisture from rain or snow melt. So how did Bill’s conservation efforts work? Fortunately, this one well is a Groundwater Management District
(continued from page 28)
cerns about the possible consequences of increased use of chemical herbicides - especially stronger varieties developed to deal with weeds that have evolved and developed resistance to earlier brands. Paul Johnson of the Rural Center said the new chemicals can be especially devastating to crops like grapes, and there are limited legal protections in the bill for vineyards or organic farmers affected by chemical “drift” when counties eradicate weeds on public lands. Several legislators expressed concerns about herbicides drifting from one property to the next and the possible legal
ramifications. Zack Pistora of the Sierra Club said the current weed management practices rely too heavily on chemical controls, resulting in pollution, increased energy costs, fewer bees and even human health consequences. He said his group requested that representatives for organic farmers and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment be added to the advisory committee in HB 2479. “We are curious as to why the Department of Agriculture did not incorporate this advice,” Pistora said.
Trading called into question due to the concerns over high frequency trading. In fact, we continue to hear our members question their use of the cattle contracts because the volatility has made them a tool which is more of a liability than a benefit.” NCBA officials would like to see livestock contracts have the same limits on messaging as grain, currency and index contracts. Adding a one-second delay would help reduce messaging, according to the letter. “High frequency trading occurs at a rate faster than any human can analyze,” it said. “Latency would therefore level the playing field so that everyone sees the market at the same speed.” The letter also raises the issue of “spoofing,” an illegal practice where traders attempt to mislead
(continued from page 28)
the market and manipulate prices by placing orders they quickly cancel. NCBA would like the CME Group to “release audit trail data for analysis” so that researchers could evaluate trading behavior and market actions.
observation well, so every year for the past 16 years detailed measurements have been taken recording such things as depth to water and how many feet of water are left. While it may be a surprise to many, even though he shut his wells off, the water table has continued to drop. When measured in January of this year, the depth to water was 195 feet, leaving only 25 feet of water or 22%. Even though he stopped pumping, the water table still dropped about 25 feet in the past 16 years. So if he’s not pumping, where did the water go?
Bill’s theory is that active irrigation wells about a mile away to the north and west as well as others to the southeast explain the continuing drop in the water table. There is a very slow migration of groundwater from the northwest to the southeast. “So wells northwest of here are keeping water from reaching here while those to the southeast are pulling down the water table from that direction,” he explains. So what does all this mean? Bill says even though one man by himself can’t
Berning places in state sorghum yield contest Galen Berning, Marienthal, recently won first place in the Conventional-Till Irrigated division of the 2015 National Sorghum Producers (NSP) Yield Contest in Kansas. Berning won with Pioneer hybrid Pioneer 84P72, which yielded 192.8 bushels per acre. Berning earned one of the 113 state titles won by growers planting Pioneer brand hybrids. The NSP awarded 168 state titles in this year’s contest. Growers planting Pioneer brand hybrids dominated the contest, winning 67 percent of all state awards presented. DuPont Pioneer sorghum growers won 16 of 21 national titles awarded in 2015. First-, second- and third-place national honors were awarded in each of the seven divisions. Growers compete within a broad range of sorghum production classes, including conventional-till irrigated, conventional-till non-irrigated, mulch-till non-irrigated, notill non-irrigated, reduced-till irrigated, double-crop non-irrigated and double-crop irrigated.
solve the problem, he can still make a contribution. “Nonetheless, we could do a lot better job if everybody were involved rather than just single operators here and there,” he says. “But more than anything, we also need to be taking the longer view. We need to visualize what our farms and communities will look like in the next 50 or 100 years and beyond. “We also need to realize that this water likely will be much more valuable in the future, even for low-value agricultural purposes and most certainly for higher value
industrial uses.” However, one of the problems is a very powerful economic principal: the time value of money. A dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow. To maximize return, we farmers have got to use natural resources, like our irrigation water, as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Still, as Bill says, if we use our irrigation water supplies today, like there is no tomorrow, we have guaranteed ourselves that there will be no tomorrow. Vance Ehmke farms and lives in Lane County
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Treatment of Ocular Disease • Glaucoma Detection Children’s Vision • Glasses • Contact Lenses
Complete family eye center! 106 W. 4th • Scott City • 872-2020 • Emergencies: 214-1462
Scott City Myofascial Release Sandy Cauthon RN
Help Wanted
For Sale
TWO FULL-TIME positions for City of Oberlin. Street worker and utility clerk. Full benefits. For details e-mail cityofoberlin@oberlinkansas.gov or call (785) 475-2217. ––––––––––––––––––––– DEVELOPMENT services/assistant human resources director. Fulltime. City of Anthony, Ks. Salary: $35,000-$45,000/ yr., DOQ. Non-FLSA exempt. Excellent benefits. More information: www.anthonykansas.org/ jobs or 620-842-5434. Open until filled. EOE.
S T O R A G E CONTAINERS. 20 ft., 40 ft., 45 ft., 48 ft. and 53 ft. centralcontainer.net or 785-655-9430.
Education CAN YOU DIG IT? Heavy equipment operator career. We offer training and certifications running bulldozers, backhoes and excavators. Lifetime job placement. VA benefits available. 1-866-3626497.
Dr. James Yager
Dr. Jeffrey A. Heyd
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.
Your RadioShack Dealer Two-way Radio Sales & Service Locally owned and operated since 1990
1104 Main • Scott City • 872-2625
Sports/Outdoors GUN SHOW. Jan. 30-31. Saturday, 9:00-5:00; Sunday 9:00-3:00. Kansas Coliseum (I-135 and E. 85th St North) in Wichita. Buy-Sell-Trade. For info: (563) 927-8176. ––––––––––––––––––––– OUR HUNTERS will pay top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a free base camp leasing info packet and quote. 1-866-309-1507. www.BaseCampLeasing. com.
Opportunities OWN YOUR OWN Dollar, Big Box, mail/ ship, party or womens’ clothing/accessory/boutique store. 100% financing. OAC from $59,900. 100% turnkey. 1-877-5007606. dollarstoreservices. com/start/KS.
Truck Driving CONVOY SYSTEMS is hiring Class A drivers to run from Kansas City to the west coast. Home weekly. Great benefits. www.convoysystems.com. Call Lori at 1-800-9266869, ext. 303. ––––––––––––––––––––– BUTLER TRANSPORT. Your partner in excellence. Drivers needed. Great hometime. $650 sign-on bonus. All miles paid. 1-800-528-7825. www.butlertransport.com. Make plans to enter the Lions Club chili cookoff Sun., Feb. 21 • in Scott City
Is your subscription paid?
Bolen Enterprises Prairie Dog Control
1101 S. Main, Scott City 620-874-1813
Call me to schedule your Myofascial Release
•34 years experience •Bonded/Licensed
Bob Bolen 785-821-0042 • Fax 785-852-4275
Retail
Gene’s Appliance Over 200 appliances in stock! COMPARE OUR PRICES!
We have Reverse Osmosis units in stock. Remember us for parts in stock for all brands of all appliances. Sales and Service Days • Mon. - Sat. Deliveries • Mon.-Sat.
Largest Frigidaire appliance dealer in Western Ks. 508 Madison • Scott City • 872-3686
Networktronic, Inc.
Computer Sales, Service and Repair Custom computers! Networking solutions!
Northend Disposal A garbologist company.
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 402 S. Main, Scott City • 872-1300
Scott City • 872-1223 • 1-800-303-3371
Support your hometown merchants who back your school and community activities throughout the year!
Dining
Classifieds
The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009
Classified Ad Deadline: Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Have questions about the Scott Commnity Foundation? Call 872-3790
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: $6.00 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.
District 11 AA Meetings
Thank You…
Scott City
The family of Jim McDaniel would like to express our sincere appreciation for the community’s acts of kindness and sympathy during the recent loss of our loved one. Scott City was a very special place to Jim. A special thank you to the physicians, nurses, aides and hopsital staff who cared for him during his final days. Your acts of empathy and kindness made him comfortable and at ease. Your caring hearts will forever remain in our memories and prayers. Annabelle, Lonnie, Rob and Families
House for Sale
Services
1-3 BEDROOM, 1 bath, FH/A, basement, new roof, large yard. Call Mike 620-874-2425.
C O M P U T E R SERVICES for PC and Mac computers. Computer repair and virus removal. Call or email Josh at OsComp to schedule an appointment. 24-hour help line 620-376-8660 or email josh_4974@hotmail.com. ––––––––––––––––––––– WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 8744135. 34tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– METAL ROOFING, SIDING and TRIMS at direct-to-the-public prices. Call Metal King Mfg., 620-872-5464. Our prices will not be beat! 37tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 874-1412. 4015tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tuneup and blade sharpening. Call Rob Vsetecka at 620214-1730. 4515tfc
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Real Estate COMMERCIAL BUILDING for sale. 133x45 ft. (approx.) round top building. Serious inquiries only. Seller is a real estate agent selling own property. 874-5109 or 874-2124. 26tfc
Agriculture WANT TO BUY. Stored corn. Call for basis and contract information. 1-800-579-3645. Lane County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– WANT TO BUY. Wheat straw delivered. Call for contracting information. Lane County Feeders. 397-5341. 44tfc
Help Wanted
USD 466 NEEDS s u b stitute route bus drivers. For applications and additional information contact For Sale Lance Carter at 620-8727655. 02tfc Land and Trailer at 1001 Elizabeth Street. $15,000.00 or best offer. Rentals Call Jimmy at 620-2143661. 25t1p STORAGE UNIT for rent. 22x40 ft. unit with 10x14 ft. door for camper, car or anything. Call 620214-2978. 23t4 ––––––––––––––––––––– HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. ALCOHOLICS Various sizes available. Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, ANONYMOUS 620-874-2120. 41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– If you want to PLAINJAN’S RENTAL drink, houses and duplexes. Stop that’s your by the office or call 620872-5777. 05tfc business.
Pine Village Apartments 300 E. Nonnamaker
Apartments available for qualifying tenants 62+ or disabled with rental assistance available. Hours: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. by appointment Call Steve 872-2535 or (620) 255-4824. 19tfc
If you want to stop, that’s ours. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Tuesday nights at 8:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church basement (use west door). 412 College, Scott City. Al-Anon at same time and location. Contact: 874-0472 or 872-3137. 25tfc
Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. • 8:00 p.m. 807 Kingsley Last Sat., Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m. All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118
Dighton Thursday • 8:30 p.m. 535 Wichita St. All open meetings, 397-2647
Thomas Real Estate
Move Right In!
www.thomasreal-estate.com
914 W. 12th Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620)-872-7396 Cell: (620)-874-1753 or Cell: (620)-874-5002 Owner 4% financing, Taco Grande Bldg. Roof has been resurfaced, posts sealed and new interior ceiling panels replaced. Call for appointment.
5 bedroom, 2 and 3/4 bath, Dbl. garage, Corner lot, Very nice west location.
No work required! Totally remodeled 3 bedroom, 1 3/4 bath home! Newer kitchen, bathrooms, windows, siding, floor coverings! Large DD garage! Call quick!
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
3+2 bedrooms, 1 3/4 + 1/2 bath, corner lot, walkin closets and basement escape windows, open kitchen (all appliances stay), gas fireplace, lots of built-ins and storage, enormous mud room, finished basement with wet bar, SA garage, big back yard, sprinkler system and landscaped.
Take a virtual tour online and see the rooms!
The Scott County Record • Page 33 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Employment Opportunities LOGAN COUNTY MANOR POSITIONS
SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL
RN, LPN, CMA and CNA shifts. We are a 45-bed long-term facility. We offer competitive wages, KPERS, health insurance, excellent PTO and paid membership to our Wellness Center. Contact Diana Dible at: 785-672-8109
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EOE
LIFEGUARDS The City of Scott City is accepting applications for Lifeguards for the 2016 season. Applications may be picked up at: City Hall, 221 W. 5th St., Scott City. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., February 16, 2016. 24t3c
AT-RISK PARAPROFESSIONAL
Scott City Middle School is looking for an individual interested in working with at-risk youth as a paraprofessional in our Enrichment and Intervention program.
Job duties would include working one-onone assisting students with their academics, as well as assisting classroom teachers with groups of students. A willingness to learn, punctuality, flexibility, and dependability are a must! Applications are available
at Scott City Middle School 809 W. 9th St., Scott City
FOOD SERVICE Scott County School Food Service is interested in hiring a part-time position. Proposed hours for this position would be 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Applications may be picked up at: 704 S. College, Scott City or call Kathy Eaton at 620-872-7605. 18tfc
FULL-TIME CUSTODIAN USD 466 has an opening for a 2nd Shift Custodian at the Scott City Elementary School. This is a full-time position with benefits. Applications can be picked up at the Administration Office, 704 S. College Street, Scott City, Kansas. USD 466 is an EOE Employer. 23tfc
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PARK LANE NURSING HOME
Has openings for the following positions: Full-time RN/LPN Full-time Dietary aide/Cook Full-time CNA/CMA 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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Do you enjoy working with kids in an educational setting? Would you like the working hours of a school day? Unified School District No. 466 is seeking HPEC Special Education Para-Professional in the high school. This position works with students. For more information and applications please contact: Susan Carter Board of Education Building 17tfc 704 College, Scott City, KS 67871
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Scott County Sheriff’s Department is accepting applications for: Jailer Applicants must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Looking for someone who is a team player. Must be willing to do shift work including days, nights, holidays and weekends. Background checks and UA’s completed on all prospective applicants. Applicants must not have any felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions. Scott County offers an excellent benefit package that includes BCBS health, KPERS, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and furnished uniforms and equipment. Starting wage $12 per hour. Will train the right applicant. Applications may be obtained at and returned to: Sheriff Office 602 W. 5th, Scott City • (620) 872-5805
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SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL HAS OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS PATIENT CARE Acute Care RNs Emergency Department RN Float RN C.N.A.s - FT and PT Outreach/Specialty Clinic RN Physical Therapist Respiratory Therapist Clinic Medical Assistants Infection Prevention RN Clinic RN and LPN - FT Applicants for these positions are required to be able to read, speak and understand English. Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, immunization titer, physical assessment and TB skin test required. We are a tobacco free campus. We offer competitive pay and great benefits. Applications are available on our website at www.scotthospital.net or call 620-872-7772 for more information.
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The Scott County Record • Page 34 • Thursday, January 28, 2016
Special Meeting Notice USD 466 Board of Education Agenda Scott City Council Scott County Commission Wed., Feb. 3 • 6:00-8:00 p.m. SCHS Commons Area • 712 Main St.
from the heart of our herd
•“Visioning” discussion of city/county boards and councils. No action to be taken
DX Wonderful 79W003 ASA#2534122
KLEIN
RANCH
Fines could increase for failure to file water use reports Legislators expressed support earlier this week for a Kansas Department of Agriculture proposal to stiffen penalties for failing to file a water report - as long as the penalties fall heavier on serial offenders than those who make an honest mistake. Susan Metzger, assistant secretary of agriculture, told the Senate Natural Resources Committee that the annual water reports are key to ensuring the accuracy of the department’s statewide water use computer models and determining whether well users are pumping more than their allotted rights. But every year about 60 of the state’s 11,000 water well users fail to submit a report and instead pay a $250 fine. “Those 60 or so individuals every year make a choice: I’d rather pay $250 than disclose what my water use is,” Metzger said. “Which is unfair to the neighboring individuals around them who may be penalized for overpumping or other violations.” The department’s penalties for other civil violations like overpumping or tampering with a water meter currently top out at $1,000. The department also has been looking to increase those penalties for more than a year. Metzger said
after Wednesday’s hearing that the department will submit a proposal for that change to the Department of Administration in February. Overpumping penalties can be modified through the rules and regulations process, but the department needs legal authority from the Legislature to change the fines for failure to report water use. Some of the state’s biggest agriculture lobbying groups turned out to support Metzger’s effort to get that authority through Senate Bill 337. Under current law the department fines users $250 for failing to report by March 1. But users who subsequently turn in their forms before June 1 are refunded all but $50 of that fine. Metzger said about 94 percent of users in Kansas file by March 1 and by June 1 less than one percent of the forms are outstanding most years. SB 337 would allow the department to levy fines of up to $1,000. Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Cooperative Council and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers all submitted testimony stating the small percentage of water users who flout the reporting rules should face tougher penalties.
www.kleinranch.net Heath & Ami Klein, Atwood, KS 785.626.9056 • 785.626.4212 (c)
Five sons will sell out of W003 - by Beef King and Hooks Xpectation - on February 20 at the Dixson Farms bull sale, Atwood, Kansas Check out our website to see our other homozygous black and non-dilute red Simmental and SimAngus™ bulls in the offering!