The Scott County Record

34 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 23 • Number 29

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

First Street upgrade is connected to KDHE project

Supreme Court Ruling Holmes also made reference to the recent Supreme Court ruling in which the legislature was given until

Whether to lay down asphalt or concrete is the question facing the Scott City Council as it considers First Street improvements.

Improvements to First Street have landed on the council’s table with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment wanting to install a line that will connect wells No. 1 and No. 10.

Both wells have carbon filter units that are designed to remove petroleum contaminants. The smaller unit with well No. 1 needs to be replaced.

A larger unit with well No. 10 is more than adequate to meet the flow of water from both wells.

By having water from both wells treated at one site it will save money for the city and KDHE, says Public Works Director Mike Todd.

KDHE has been pursuing this project for some time, but it has been on hold while trying to reach agreement on where and how a line could be laid along the railroad easement.

That was turning into a cost-prohibitive venture with the railroad requiring the 10-inch line to be placed 15 feet deep and encased in a 12-inch steel pipe.

“That’s understandable when you’re laying a line under the highway, but it seems a little excessive in this situation,” says Todd.

The other alternative is to put the line under First Street.

Since the street is going to be torn up to lay the line, the council is faced with deciding whether to put asphalt or concrete on the two block stretch immediately east of the intersection with US83 Highway. This upgrade would benefit the large amount of truck traffic that travels the street going to and from the Scott Co-op elevator.

Mayor Dan Goodman favors concrete in order to reduce long-term street maintenance.

A seven-inch concrete layer would cost about $30,000 for materials only, says Todd. The city public works department can do the work.

“My recommendation is to go with concrete,” said Todd, who added that by tearing out the street the city can also do some much-needed improvements to the base which he believes is a major reason the street needs more maintenance.

(See FUNDING on page two)

(See UPGRADE on page two)

State Rep. Don Hineman, Dighton, (right) looks on while State Sen. Mitch Holmes talks about issues before the state legislatrue during a town hall meeting in Dighton on Saturday morning.

(Record Photo)

School funding is a hot topic during legislative stop affected the ability of districts to give their staff pay raises and to cover other costs.

“I’m close enough to retirement. I’ll get by,” said Linenberger. “But how do you expect to hire new teachers and keep them if they see they can get paid so much better working somewhere else?”

Rep. Don Hineman (R-Dighton) concurred, noting that the state needs to do a better job of taking care of all its employees.

He pointed out that state employees haven’t received pay increases in about eight years which has contributed to staffing problems at the state hospitals, the Kansas Highway Patrol and other state agencies.

Holmes, on the other hand, feels that state funding for education is “not as dis-

Differing views on public education and the state’s role in funding were evident during a town hall meeting on Saturday that included two area state legislators.

“With what we’ve seen in Topeka you feel the legislature is attacking education,” said Louise Ehmke, Dighton, who was among those in attendance at the community room in the Lane County Courthouse. “You’re strangling education.”

That assertion was quickly met with resistance from State Sen. Mitch Holmes (R-St. John).

“How are schools being strangled? Give me an example,” Holmes challenged those in the audience at the community room in the Lane County Courthouse.

Tammie Linenberger, an elementary teacher in the Dighton district, said it

mal as is being presented.”

He said that when the state funding formula was first adopted in 1992 the state’s cost was about $950 million.

That has increased to just over $4 billion today.

“That’s a lot of money going into education,” he said.

Hineman said that while the state’s share of public education funding has increased “pretty dramatically over the last 25 years” it was in response to a consensus among lawmakers in 1992 “that property taxes were too high.” He also said it’s unfair to compare state funding in Kansas with lower funding levels in other states such as Oklahoma and Missouri.

“In 1992, a conscious decision was made to shift more funding for public education to the state level. That sets

us apart from other states,” noted Hineman. “Our mix of state and local funding is heavier on the state than local, which is different from 25 years ago.”

He said that “tends to amplify” the huge increase in funding that Holmes was referring to.

Hineman says that funding cuts at the state level have forced a larger shift in school spending to local districts.

In the Scott County district, for example, the local option budget (LOB) puts $1 million more into the school budget than it did 20 years ago.

USD 467 in lawsuit over HVAC debacle Wichita County district seeks $1.8M in damages When the Wichita County school district (USD 467) finally gained approval from voters for a $4.5 million bond issue that allowed for new construction and major renovation of its buildings, the administration and board were looking forward to putting their structural con-

cerns behind them.

Nearly seven years later, the district is locked in a lawsuit in an effort to recover costs associated with the improper specifications and installation of a heating/ventilation/air conditioning system (HVAC).

The district is seeking over $2.2 million in damages.

A trial is currently scheduled for January 2017 in federal court in Sedgwick County.

It cost the Wichita County school district an additional

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

Scott City natives involved in Guatemala mission Page 27

$2.2 million to fix a HVAC system that the board of education says was inadequate and improperly installed. The district did not have enough funds in capital outlay, and “passing another bond issue was not an option,” according to Supt.

Keith Higgins.

Consequently, the district chose to enter into a lease-purchase agreement to cover the new equipment costs and installation.

In order to cover this additional cost, the district doubled its capital outlay levy to eight mills.

“The community understood the situation we were in and no one filed a protest,” noted Higgins. “They knew we had to do what’s right for the kids.”

Nonetheless, the district’s taxpayers are currently picking up the tab for a project that was mismanaged from the start, says Higgins.

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-6 Calendar • Page 7 LEC report • Page 10 Youth/education • Page 9 Deaths • Page 12

Church services • Page 13 Health care • Pages 14-15 Sports • Pages 17-26 Farm section • Pages 28-29 Classified ads • Pages 31-33

The lawsuit challenges the HVAC system was inadequately designed, improperly installed and lacked supervision by trained contractors, equipment suppliers or engineers.

“This has been pretty much a disaster almost from the first day we began operating the system,” says Higgins. “The longer it operated and the more we were able to look into things the more we realized what a problem we had on our hands.”

(See DEBACLE on page 16)

Turner to assume duties as SCHS football head coach Page 17

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Court strikes down law on property taxes

The Kansas Supreme Court struck down a law on Wednesday that shielded some residents from property tax hikes, ruling it unconstitutionally granted preferential treatment to “a discrete group of taxpayers.”

Twenty-one Kansas counties asked the court last year to consider the constitutionality of a state law passed by the Legislature in 2014 that imposed a two-year moratorium on increases in tax valuation for citizens who requested, and won, a valuation appeal.

By a 5-2 vote, the state’s high court sided with the counties, finding the law was a violation of the Kansas Constitution’s guarantee of “uniform and equal” property valuation and taxation.

“Any preferential valuation benefitting only a few properties will adversely influence the tax burden for all other taxpayers whose properties do not enjoy the preference,” Justice Dan Biles wrote in the majority opinion.

For example, if a homeowner with an appraised property

Funding June 30 to correct what it sees as inequitable funding of public education in the state. He said that the ruling means Kansas schools will close after June 30 - a claim that was challenged during the town hall.

He backed off from his position slightly, saying that by “invalidating the school finance formula” the courts have made an “indirect threat” to close schools.

Hineman explained that the court has ruled the block grant is not constitutional and has ordered the legislature to come up with a remedy.

“They aren’t saying they will close schools, but they say they will cut off the funding. And

increases in property tax rates.

In their dissent, Justices Caleb Stegall and Eric Rosen wrote the Legislature was right to pass the law.

“It is reasonable to conclude that the legislature overwhelmingly favored fixing, or at least remediating, a problem of excessive valuation that had become systemic in our property taxation scheme,” Stegall wrote.

Stegall and Rosen argued the law, which passed the Kansas House by a vote of 124-0, did not unfairly protect one group

value of $100,000 appealed that value and successfully had it lowered to $95,000, the property value would have remained at $95,000 for two years under the now-defunct law.

Other homeowners with $95,000 homes could see their property values - and property taxes - rise but the homeowner who challenged his or her property value would be exempt from such fluctuations.

Proponents of the moratorium argued it was remedial, an attempt to improve fairness in a tax system that had seen sharp

of Kansans and, therefore, was constitutional.

The court opinion came less than a week before March 1, the deadline for counties to notify residents of their property valuations. The case had been expedited at the counties’ request for that reason.

Counties filing the motion were Johnson, Barton, Chautauqua, Cowley, Douglas, Elk, Ellis, Finney, Franklin, Geary, Harper, Harvey, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Miami, Ness, Pottawatomie, Reno, Riley and Wyandotte.

(continued from page one)

they have the power to do that,” said Hineman. “I think they will if we fail to adopt a new formula or if the new formula is phony.

I don’t think they’re going to take that well.

“If that happens, they will cut off the funding and we’ll be back in a special session in July with a primary election coming in August.”

While the initial reaction to the court ruling from legislative leadership was to refer to the court as “activist” and threatening not to comply with their order, that tone has been much more tempered in the days since.

With all legislators facing election this year, Hineman says there hasn’t been near as much rhetoric.

“It’s been pretty quiet this past week. We have people starting to work towards a solution,” he said. “I think we’re starting to find more people who are in agreement we have to fix the problem,” he says. “But I have no idea what the fix will be.”

Anti-Education Nonetheless, this legislature has still earned a reputation for being antieducation - not just in terms of funding, but also with respect to other policies which affect classroom teachers, from tenure to censorship.

“So many bills being considered have something which challenges us as educators,” said Linenberger. “We go to

work every day, we do our job and we’re providing a quality education for kids.

The state is not helping matters.”

Rep. Hineman agrees the legislature is trying to assert too much control over local school boards.

“I get weary with a legislature that keeps talking about the importance of local control, but not living by that same standard,” he said.

Hineman said the legislature was trying to micromanage policy that determines what is and isn’t appropriate in schools when that’s best left to the local boards of education.

He added that legislation which places a tax lid on local units of government is another example of

too much overreach from Topeka.

“The locals are more connected with the taxpayers than we are,” he emphasized. “Let them make the decision on how much is enough.”

Hineman said the twoyear block grant funding system that was put in place by the legislature has had a mixed impact on the 15 school districts that he represents. According to data he has seen, the Scott County district lost about $164,000 under the grant program since it didn’t get credit for higher enrollment while Wichita County gained $84,000 with the block grant.

Funding for the Dighton and Healy districts would have remained the same under either plan.

Upgrade (continued from page one)

“It’s a high maintenance street,” Todd noted, saying it requires major work every three years.

“KDHE would like to have this already completed. They’ve been trying to get a permit from the railroad for the past year,” Todd says.

He says the project likely won’t begin until mid-summer.

Have questions about the Scott Commnity Foundation?

Call 872-3790

What’s for Lunch in Scott City?

February 29 - March 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. $6.95 Fri. • Taco dinner with rice and beans. $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

Community Living

The Scott County Record

Page 3 - Thursday, February 25, 2016

Elderly are most susceptible to fraud, scams I recently attended a Family and Consumer Science update in Manhattan and while there I attended my Program Focus Team on Adult Development and Aging.

One of the lessons was on fraud and scams targeting senior citizens.

Why do these deceitful people prey on the older adults? Because they are a generation that believes in the good of others.

Many of them have saved all of their lives and have some extra money in savings. They often own their home which makes them easy prey. That trusting nature coupled

with confusion on how fast the world is changing also makes them vulnerable.

Some of these scams happen in Scott County.

Most of the time the victims are too embarrassed to say anything.

With most scams that target senior citizens, the individuals believe something bad will happen to them if they don’t comply.

Here is some advice:

1) Never give out your social security number, 2) Never give your credit card number, 3) Never send money, money orders or any type of prepaid credit card, 4) Never fall for loud accusations and hatefulness (there are nasty people who will try to bully you into doing what they want), 5) Never let anyone into your home that you didn’t invite (if they come into your home call 911 immediately), 6) Never believe what you hear across the phone, always hang up.

Remember, if it’s too good to be true it prob-

ably is, and if you didn’t initiate the call, then it is probably a scam.

It is hard to get any money back if you make a purchase over the phone, so don’t do it. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into buying anything, signing a contract or committing money to an investment or home improvement project.

Types of Scams Let’s look at a few of these scams.

Identity theft. Many older people are not in debt which makes it easy to get credit cards in their name and because they don’t have debt and are

not looking into obtaining any, they never check their credit scores.

If you would like to check your credit history, there are three sites that you can do this for free. These sites are www. experian.com, www. equifax.com, www.transunion.com.

Because you can only use the free service once a year per site, it is suggested that you check your credit report from one of these sites once every four months. These are free so if they ask for money, you are on the wrong site.

I would be happy to help you in my office to pull your report.

Computer software scam. A caller will say there is a problem with your computer or the software and that you need to give them access to your computer through your passwords so that they can fix it.

What they really do is go in and clean out all of your bank accounts with the password that you provided.

Telemarketing. This is when someone calls you and said that you won money but you first need to send them money or something similar to this.

It’s doubtful that you won any money, especial(See SCAMS on page 13)

Piano students perform for study club Is a bread revolution following gluten-free fad?

Jordan Hildebrand Ks. Wheat Commission

“I love bread,” are the words heard ‘round the wheat industry.

Oprah shared her passion for all things bread in January with enthusiastic and passionate commercials and tweets for Weight Watchers (WW), a points-based weight loss system.

This statement is amongst the boldest things the “Queen of Media” has said, not because bread is intrinsically taboo, but because other trendsetters think it is. After years of the gluten-free trend, is Oprah enough to convince the public to turn back to bread?

Oprah’s weight loss journey with a side of bread might be the sign of a turning tide that the wheat industry needed.

Just a few weeks ago, the new season of The Bachelor, the show that helps beautiful people find love, premiered. The contestants included a woman who promoted herself as a “nutritional therapist.”

To grab the attention of the man who’s heart she longed to steal, the woman requested to “break bread” with him. Instead of buttering his biscuits, the woman promptly started

bashing baguettes on the sidewalk while declaring that “gluten is Satan.”

This pickup line probably didn’t impress you much, and the same could be said for the bachelor who sent her packing at the end of the show.

The Tide is Turning That spectacle showcases the hostility felt for gluten in the media during the last five years, but the tide seems to be turning.

Articles from institutions like Time, Consumer Reports, BBC, New York Post and The New Yorker, and from popular digital media like Huffington Post, The Daily Beast and Slate are bringing science into the gluten-free conversation.

These articles, paired with Oprah’s emotional narrative and an episode of South Park’s satire, might just be indicators that the diet fad has officially “jumped the shark.”

All signs are pointing toward a bread revolution.

In addition to the influx of diet-skeptical news articles, according to Google Trends, searches are down across the board for terms like “gluten free,” “gluten” and “gluten-free diet.”

During Winter Storm Jonas, photos of empty bread shelves emerged

from across the East Coast showing that there may be no such thing as glutenfree when there’s even the hint that there might not be any bread.

Oprah’s Instagram feed seems to show many bread appearances in the last few months, but she isn’t an impartial voice of reason in the debate.

Last fall, the media mogul purchased 10 percent of Weight Watchers stock and landed herself a position on the board of directors. While the love of bread is probably very real for Oprah, using it as a cornerstone in a new marketing plan for the company also makes sense monetarily.

When Oprah tweeted a video declaring that she has lost 26 pounds while not denying herself bread, within the hour WW stock had risen more than 16 percent. This increased Oprah’s portfolio worth by more than $12 million in that hour alone.

While the stocks have since fallen a smidge since the late January campaign, WWs’ stock worth is still nearly doubled from what it was in the pre-Oprah days.

This only makes sense, because people love a company that lets you have your bread and eat it, too.

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Seven piano students of Ann Hawkins and Sidney Janzen performed to open the Feb. 18 meeting of the High Plains Study Club.

Following their performance, the 21 club members in attendance answered roll.

The devotion, “Music is a gift from God and the background of our lives,” was given by Patsie Graham.

Lucky Dip was won by Donna Eitel and will be brought to the next meeting by Gwen Huck.

An art report was given by Marvel Keyes. Art with an agricultural twist was discussed, including wheat weaving, murals, quilts and barn quilts.

Next meeting will be March 3 at the home of Jan Winter.

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, February 25, 2016

editorially speaking

Convention:

Lawmakers are part of the problem they oppose

With all the major fiscal issues facing Kansas, leave it to our state legislators to spend time running down a path that leads to nowhere.

The Kansas House of Representatives recently voted for a measure that calls for a convention in order to amend the U.S. Constitution. The effort was advanced by a 77-44 vote, but was still short of the two-thirds majority required for action.

Lawmakers want to rewrite the Constitution in an effort to limit the power of the federal government and to set term limits on federal officials.

According to Rep. Brett Hildebrand (R-Shawnee), the first constitutional convention since 1787 is necessary in order to combat a federal government which has become an “authoritarian, micromanaging leviathan.”

But it gets even better.

The House resolution claimed the federal government had “created a crushing national debt” and has “invaded the legitimate roles of the states.”

This is from a state legislature that has passed a tax lid which overrides the authority of locally elected city and county officials. Does that sound like “micromanaging” or invading the legitimate role of local government officials?

This is the same legislature which has borrowed $1 billion from the Kansas Department of Transportation to avoid deficit spending. Does this qualify as a “crushing” debt?

And if term limits are a good idea for federal officials (which is well worth considering) where is a similar proposal for state officials (other than the governor, which is already in place) and legislators?

Before Republican lawmakers spend any more time pursuing a Constitutional Convention, perhaps they should take care of business a little closer to home.

For a thinking person the hypocrisy would be a little embarrassing. That, unfortunately, disqualifies most of our legislators.

Mini-hub:

Scott City establishing its role as a regional center

During a recent conversation with a local elected official, he mentioned that it had been predicted years ago that instead of each community being its own little economic hub, there would be a shift to regional shopping centers.

The economist making that forecast said that the three largest hubs in Western Kansas would be Garden City, Dodge City and Liberal, with either Colby or Goodland earning that distinction in the northwest.

It’s really no surprise that the business landscape across the region has followed that forecast. We’ve seen car dealerships and farm implement dealerships disappear from many small towns as they are consolidated into central sites.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for socalled mini-hubs which can be just as essential and attractive.

Thanks to the progressive nature of Scott City’s leaders we feel it would be accurate to label this community a mini-hub.

Our retail community is above average and we have a variety of restaurants, which are certainly a good start. But the service industry is the key to our status as a mini-hub and the driving force behind that is the Scott County Hospital. The hospital, with it’s variety of specialty clinics, along with three physicians on staff who can do obstetrics, is a huge asset with the ability to pull patients from a 50-60 mile range in all directions.

That is the true definition of a hub and we all benefit from this influx of customers into our community. That customer base provides a huge economic boost that reaches well beyond the hospital.

Our role as a mini-hub is further enhanced by Lake Scott State Park, the El Quartelejo Museum/Jerry Thomas Gallery and even the variety of entertainment offered at The Majestic.

From a retail standpoint, we can’t compete with Garden City. We don’t have to.

We can do just fine by establishing our niche and providing a level of services and customer satisfaction that are unique to Scott City.

As long as we can do that, and do it well, the future of Scott City remains very bright.

Religious freedom is not at risk We finally know what it takes to bring together the largest rally ever in our state’s capital.

You just have to be willing to strike fear into people about a non-existent problem. That will bring them to Topeka by the bus load.

A recent gathering of some 1,500 to 2,000 people under the capitol dome had nothing to do with the depletion of groundwater from the Ogallala Aquifer and the life-changing consequences it will have in Western Kansas.

Though it should have.

And it had nothing to do with a state budget that has been decimated by tax cuts and the impact that is having on public education funding for tens of thousands of Kansas students.

Another very worthwhile and real concern.

Sorry, but those are issues which Gov. Sam Brownback and the legislative leadership are all too willing to kick on down the road for another two years . . . or 30 years.

The immediate crisis facing us today is the

loss of religious freedom.

Surely you’d been reading in all the newspapers that freedom of religion was under fire in Kansas.

Maybe you saw how the internet was buzzing with examples of religious suppression.

Then again, maybe not.

The only thing at threat during the Rally for Religious Freedom was the constitutional separation of church and state which is much more real than any imagined loss of religious freedom.

So, exactly how is religious freedom at risk in Kansas? Good question, because you’d never know it by the “See You at the Pole” prayer events held at schools each fall across the state, or by the pre-game or postgame huddles following a sports event where teammates and coaches share a prayer.

The ability to do these

things, or even to hold morning Bible studies in our schools, are part of the fabric of rural America.

We have no problem with that.

Those leading the rally in Topeka had their sights set on something a little different, claiming that the United States has reached a pivotal point in our history regarding the right for people to worship, believe and live as they choose without government interference.

“The people of Kansas will not go quietly,” Brownback told those in attendance. “We’ll fight for our religious liberty.”

If only Brownback were willing to fight as hard for the impoverished in Kansas, for those who lack Medicaid coverage and for public education.

Except this fight is less about religious liberty and more about defying the law of the land.

For example, those representing the March for Life argued that individuals shouldn’t be required to sign up for the Affordable Care Act, claiming it mandates coverage of

medication and procedures related to abortion.

That has been a myth perpetuated by the right-wing media.

The ACA mandate requires coverage for FDAapproved contraceptives.

The only drug approved by the FDA to induce abortion is not included.

And, by the way, religious groups have been exempted from the ACA. So, exactly how is religious freedom at risk?

The owner of a flower shop in Richland, Wash., complained of being sued for refusing to do business with a gay couple planning a same-sex wedding.

Again, this isn’t a matter of religious freedom, but of civil rights. Could one also stand on the platform of “religious liberty” if they wanted to refuse service to a black couple, or if someone were Jewish, or Catholic, or Muslim?

The bottom line is that no one is taking away your religious freedom your ability to pray to any god you choose, to not be (See FREEDOM on page six)

Bleak assessment for Ks. economy If you don’t know what to believe about the Kansas economy these days, this is very understandable.

Gov. Sam Brownback has his facts. He boasts about the low unemployment rate. And he brags about a record number of new businesses.

To use his words: “The Kansas economy is strong, and it is growing.” He credits his tax policies for these “successes.”

That picture is the opposite of the one painted by his many critics, who offer their own facts, showing Kansas economic growth has lagged national averages and those of surrounding states, where similar tax cuts have not been imposed. They say Brownback’s tax policies have been a total bust.

No matter what you believe to be true of the

Where to Write

another view by Steve Rose

Kansas economy, consider this: The numbers can be sliced and diced to make a positive or negative picture, but it is undeniable that Kansas government itself is virtually bankrupt, and Brownback’s tax policies are responsible.

I sat down with State Sen. Jim Denning of Overland Park to get his analysis. Denning, a conservative Republican, is the vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. He chairs the Johnson County delegation.

Denning said: “The governor rolled the dice on the most aggressive tax cut policy in history, and things just did not turn out the way he expected.”

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

Denning pointed to several factors: The depression in agricultural prices, the decline of aviation manufacturing in Wichita, the loss of severance tax revenue from collapsed oil and gas prices, the underprojected revenue from the sales tax because of higher than anyone could have predicted movement to internet sales, and the pass-through tax loophole.

“Our revenues do not match our expenses. We just are not collecting enough revenue to pay for core functions of government,” Denning said.

“I’m personally fatigued from mopping up the mess. We have gone after one-time revenues to keep us going but now we have run out of places to go.”

Denning has been a consistent critic of the pass-through tax exemption for 300,000 Kansas

Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

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

business owners. He calls it the LLC loophole.

“We should have closed the loophole last year,” he said. “We had the votes but the governor threatened to veto any change to his signature business exemption tax policy. If we would have closed the loophole, we would have brought in an additional $200 million, and the governor would have been a hero.”

Denning said the $34 million in projected rainy-day reserves will be reduced to just a few million dollars when the budget is passed with the ongoing revenue shortfall.

Denning said that leaves the state with about eight hours of operating cash.

“When the Legislature adjourns, it will be up to the governor to address any future budget shortfall,” he said.

(See BLEAK on page six)

Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6521 www.moran.senate.gov/public/

The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Whistleblowers are essential to our democracy

by Timothy Karr

The Obama administration’s ongoing crusade against government whistleblowers - which culminated last year in the imprisonment of former CIA officer Jeffrey Sterling has reignited a debate over the role journalists should play in defending their profession and the sources and networks on which it depends.

Sterling’s serving a 3-1/2 year prison term for a conviction built primarily on circumstantial evidence - a heavy sentence, though less than the draconian 24 years the government originally sought.

Sterling’s alleged crime was divulging a botched CIA operation to New York Times journalist James Risen.

While the Times and other news organizations fought for

their own - hiring a team of lawyers to defend Risen against a government subpoena - they did much less to advocate for the rights of whistleblowers, or to denounce the severe punishment meted out to Sterling himself.

The case highlights the tension among journalists about their larger role in society. Do they merely hold up an objective window to the world, or should they advocate for the free flow of information and those who act as sources for their reporting?

Reporters could learn a lesson from free speech and privacy advocates. We see our work as an essential collaboration among “what,” “why,” and “how” people.

The “what” people are those who first identify a problem in society. They’re the whistleblowers - like former intelli-

gence officer Edward Snowden, who alerted us to the alarming extent of mass government surveillance.

The “why” people investigate the roots of a problem.

Journalist Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras have devoted their careers to analyzing the rise of the surveillance state. It’s natural that a “what” person like Snowden would seek out Greenwald and Poitras to explain the threat of wholesale surveillance to a wider audience.

The “how” people are the advocates who work with the information and analysis to organize the public around a solution. Following Snowden’s revelations, a coalition of privacy advocates - including Access Now, the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and my organization, Free Press - mobi-

Famous whistleblower Edward Snowden

lized public campaigns to try to stop unchecked government spying.

Together, “what,” “why,” and “how” people form an ecosystem for protecting the flow of information. When one element is missing, the system falls apart.

The world of journalism is made up of “what” and “why” people. Claiming objectivity

as a tenet of their trade, many journalists dismiss the “how” work of advocates as beyond the realm of “serious” reporting.

This has left a perilous gap at a time when the ecosystem is under threat.

Reporters Without Borders now ranks the United States 49th out of 180 countries in its Press Freedom Index.

(See DEMOCRACY on page six)

One dynasty survives while another routed

by E.J. Dionne, Jr.

Big Pharma trying to improve its image

by Jim Hightower

Big news, people! Especially for those of you upset by the skyrocketing prices of the essential prescription medicines you take - including thousands of patients who were hit last year with a 5,000 percent increase in one life-saving drug!

Determined to do something about those despised price hikes, drugmakers themselves have reached into their corporate toolbox for the two most effective means they have to fix their price problem.

Of course, putting more corporate cash into research to produce new medicines would be one of those tools, and a renewed commitment to honest competition would be the other, right?

Right! But Big Pharma gave up years ago on doing right, turning to two other corporate tools that have reliably generated a gusher of profits for them: Advertising and lobbying.

So here they come, wielding bigger-than-ever ad and lobbying budgets to deal with that pesky matter of public anger at drug company price gouging.

The intent of the multimilliondollar PR blitz and intensified offensive in Congress is not to restrain the gouging, but to improve the industry’s image in hopes of restraining lawmakers from taking steps to rein in prescription costs.

Of course, their ads dishonestly fail to mention this selfish intent,

instead pitching drug makers as selfless saviors of humanity. They feature soft scenes of drug researchers in white lab coats urgently trying to find new cures, scripted testimonials from people posed as patients who’ve been saved by Big Pharma, and of course scenes of drug makers altruistically aiding poor people.

So, you see, the industry is spending millions on this corporate medicine show not to protect its notorious profiteering, but to protect you from public officials who might try to stop them from overcharging you.

These incorrigible gougers are enough to make you sick.

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

Trump’s ridiculous budget plan The campaign scandal no one is talking about In this depressingly unserious campaign season, it’s time - past time - to take Donald Trump seriously. In particular, to take seriously what passes for Trump’s domestic policy, aside from that wall.

Trump purports to care about the national debt. “We can’t keep doing this,” he said of the debt at a MSNBC’s town hall. “We’ve got to start balancing budgets.”

Except, Trump - alone among Republican candidates - insists that he will leave entitlement spending untouched, although it consumes more than two-thirds of the federal budget.

On Social Security, for instance, Trump rejects raising the retirement age (a move he once endorsed), increasing payroll taxes, reducing cost-of-living adjustments and trimming benefits.

behind the headlines

by Ruth Marcus

In Trumpworld, the solution to controlling entitlement spending is that refuge of lazy and dishonest politicians everywhere: waste, fraud and abuse.

“It’s tremendous,” Trump said at the recent CBS News debate, citing “thousands and thousands of people that are over 106 years old” and collecting Social Security.

Reality check: A 2013 audit found 1,546 people who had received Social Security benefits despite being dead. Total cost? $31 million.

Cost of Social Security that year? $823 billion.

Another Trump favorite - empowering Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices - produces claimed savings, $300 billion annually, that are mathematically impossible.

Medicare spending on prescription drugs was $78 billion in 2014.

Total national spending on prescription drugs, not just by the federal

government, was about $300 billion in 2014, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Stick with Trump! He’ll get the drug companies to pay us to take their meds!

Push Trump on cuts elsewhere in the budget, and you get suggestions that are paltry and unrealistic.

“I’m going to cut spending big league,” Trump pronounced at the MSNBC town hall. His sole example, when pressed by Joe Scarborough, was the Education Department.

Which part, please? The $28 billion to fund Pell Grants for lowincome college students? The $16 billion to local school districts with large numbers of low-income elementary and secondary students?

The $13 billion to states for special education? The entire $78 billion federal education budget?

Sometimes Trump tosses in abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency (budget $8.1 billion). Which brings his potential cuts to $86 billion.

(See BUDGET on page six)

The Clinton political dynasty is still alive.

The Bush dynasty has been routed.

Their contrasting fates, to this point at least, tell us much about our two parties, the nature of this year’s presidential election, and the dueling legacies themselves.

The Republican and As Laura Democratic contests are very Ingraham, different, beginning with the the conservative talk radio fact that Hillary Clinton did host, told The not have to deal with Donald Washington Trump, who targeted Jeb Bush Post in 2015: with a viciousness rarely seen “The Bushes have always in contemporary politics. underestimatFor months, the self-con- ed the depth tained former Florida gover- of the base’s nor responded ineffectually to dissatisfacan opponent who flouted all tion with their the norms. This only made it policies.” easier for Trump to mock him as “low energy” and “weak.”

Bush was also entitled to a certain bitterness as he watched Marco Rubio, his ambitious and impatient protege, seize his natural base in the party: voters who loathe both Trump and Ted Cruz. Rubio’s definition of loyalty did not include yielding to his one-time mentor.

Bush finally found his voice toward the end of his campaign, and he often stood alone in denouncing Trump’s brutal Islamophobia. He thereby bravely upheld the most estimable parts of his family’s public service tradition.

But his efforts came too late, and were, in any event, out of tune with so many in a party eager to respond to angry and exclusionary rhetoric.

Clinton now faces only one opponent, and Bernie Sanders, especially in contrast to the often thuggish behavior of Republican candidates toward each other, has been positively courtly.

Building a durable progressive wing of the Democratic Party clearly matters more to him than scoring points off Clinton.

Still, Sanders has exposed real weaknesses in Clinton’s long-term position. The issues he has used against her - particularly her ties to Wall Street and her acceptance of large speaking fees from financial firms - are matters Republicans will surely bring up again should she secure the Democratic nomination.

In a party whose election victories are increasingly dependent on heavy turnout among younger voters (when they don’t show up, the Democrats lose, as they did in 2010 and 2014), Sanders has overwhelmed Clinton among those under 45. He did it again in Nevada’s caucuses on Saturday.

Clinton’s “trust deficit” is a cliche. But, like her weakness among the young, it remains part of her own ongoing legacy problem. According to the entrance poll reported by CNN, a quarter of Nevada caucus-goers listed honesty and trustworthiness as the most important qualities they were seeking in a candidate; they backed Sanders by about 6-to-1.

Clinton prevailed anyway and her Nevada victory dealt Sanders a serious blow. The state’s caucus system gave Sanders’s energetic followers a real chance at victory. He fell short.

Endurance under trial is a defining characteristic of a Clinton brand that also has the benefit of being less established than the Bush trademark. The Clintons have been in (See DYNASTY on page six)

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • February 25, 2016

Trump is a product of our failed political system

by Eugene Robinson

Donald Trump’s shocking transformation from reality-show host to Republican presidential front-runner is not some random and bizarre twist of fate. It grows from the failure of our political system to adapt to demographic change, economic disruption and a reorganizing world.

Trump’s victory Saturday in the South Carolina primary appears

Bleak

(continued from page four)

Asked what the governor might do, Denning speculated that he may withhold a $100 million quarterly payment to Kansas Employee Retirement System.

Denning said the governor has the authority if the state’s checking account goes below zero.

This will not affect retirees getting their monthly checks, though it does reduce the progress the state has made on KPERS’ overall financial health.

Denning said there are only a few areas where the governor can come up with the needed funds.

“The Legislature has controlled spending to the lowest levels on record,” Denning said. “The three biggest drivers of expenses are K-12 education, KPERS and Medicaid.

These big expense drivers crowd out all other core government expenditure needs. Our constituents wanted us to reduce spending, and we did.

The tax revenues just are not enough to even support that reduced spending level.”

Denning’s candor in this crisis should leave no doubt where things stand.

Steve Rose is a longtime Johnson County columnist for the Kansas City Star. He can be reached at srose@ kc.rr.com

to have cleared away the cobwebs of denial.

However improbable, outlandish or frightening it may be, Trump has a very good chance of becoming the nominee.

He can still be beaten, but the debilitated Republican establishment does not seem up to the task; poor Jeb Bush bowed out after winning less than eight percent of the vote.

Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz essentially tied for second place, 10 points

And Trump’s diagnosis of what is wrong with our politics - that the politicians are bought and paid for by special interests - is essentially correct. His supporters may disapprove of his extreme rhetoric, some of which is racially tinged, but still appreciate the fact that he is beholden to no one.

behind Trump’s winning 32.5 percent. Since John Kasich and Ben Carson turned out to be non-factors, the Republican race is left with three leading candidates - none of whom offers viable solutions.

Trump is a wrecking ball, Cruz is a conserva-

Executive order relocates Congress to Guantanamo

by Andy Borowitz

WASHINGTON (Satire from The Borowitz Report) - Making good on one of his key campaign promises, President Obama signed an executive order on Tuesday relocating the United States Congress to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

The President seemed to relish signing the order, calling the relocation a “win-win for America,” and indicating that Congress could be moved to its new headquarters “immediately.”

“We don’t envision doing any renovations to the facility down there,” he said. “It is ready to house Congress right now.”

The President did not specify what the current U.S. Capitol building would be used for in the future, but he hinted that it could be the setting for historic reënactments in the manner of Colonial Williamsburg.

“I think it could be fascinating to school groups,” he said. “It could really take them back to the olden days when it was a real, functioning place.”

Minutes after the President signed the order, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called it “an outrage” and “grounds for impeachment,” but Obama appeared to take such howls of protest in stride.

“If Congress believes that this executive order is illegal, they can take it up with the Supreme Court,” he said. “Oh wait . . . we don’t have a Supreme Court.”

Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

Dynasty

(continued from page five)

the public consciousness since 1992. Bushes have been in presidential politics since 1980 and on the national stage since 1952, when Prescott Bush, Jeb’s grandfather, entered the U.S. Senate.

If the Clintons aren’t exactly Facebook, neither are they General Motors or Studebaker.

And while frustration on the Democratic left with Bill Clinton’s pro-business policies has fed support for Sanders, the antipathy to both Bush presidencies on the Republican right runs far deeper. As Laura Ingraham, the conservative talk radio host, told The Washington Post in 2015: “The Bushes have always underestimated the depth of the base’s dissatisfaction with their policies.”

Moreover, even some of Bush’s natural allies among Republican professionals worried that public memories of the peaceful and prosperous Bill Clinton years were much fonder than those of a George W. Bush presidency characterized by an unpopular war and a financial meltdown.

These problems fed an ambivalence in the Bush circle about the legacy issue itself. Both the Bush and Clinton logos highlighted their first rather than last names. But the exclamation point in “Jeb!” paradoxically underscored his awareness of the lack of enthusiasm for another Bush presidency.

Jeb can console himself that his son George P. Bush, a Texas politician, is already in the family business, and that being scorned by fellow Republicans is part of the family’s tradition. When Prescott Bush successfully sought re-election to the Senate in 1956, his biographer Mickey Herskowitz recounts, some in the party hoped he’d lose because of his stands in favor of immigration and higher taxes.

“I was amazed,” Prescott Bush said, “that they would take so small a view as that of a man who was trying to do his damnedest for the Republican Party.”

Jeb can relate.

tive ideologue, and Rubio tries to be all things to all people.

None addresses the nation and the world as they really are. Rubio promises an aggressively interventionist foreign policy of the kind that gave us more than a decade of war in Iraq and

Afghanistan. Cruz pledges to double down on failed economic policies - deregulation, tax cuts, tight money - and turn back the clock on social changes such as same-sex marriage.

Neither offers much that sounds new or promising.

So it should be no surprise that substantial numbers of Republicans are seduced by Trump, who proposes knocking the house down and starting

Freedom discriminated against because of your faith or to attend the church of your choice. The bigger issue is with people who want to use religion to justify their own prejudices and fears who want to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against others who think, act or believe differently than they do.

Calling it religious freedom doesn’t make it right in the eyes of the court or in the eyes of your god.

Perhaps the biggest irony is that those shouting for religious liberty like to do so while citing the Constitution. What they tend to overlook is

The Congressional Budget Office projects this year’s deficit at $544 billion.

This would not be so maddening if Trump were not simultaneously pushing a tax cut costing double-digit trillions of dollars over the next decade. His Republican rivals peddle big tax cuts - Trump’s is huuuger.

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates its 10-year cost at $9.5 trillion, or $11.2 trillion with interest. The Tax Foundation gives the Trump plan credit for generating economic growth; as a result, its estimated $12 trillion cost of Trump’s plan would drop to a mere - mere!

- $10 trillion, excluding interest.

How to pay for this?

The Tax Policy Center illustrates the magnitude of cuts required. The Trump tax plan would reduce revenues by $1.1 trillion in 2025. Federal spending that year is esti-

mercy, justice and inclusion. Now, as then, too many religious leaders find it much easier to talk the talk rather than to walk the walk.

For them and their followers, it’s much easier to fear what you do not understand and which might cause you to change your way of thinking.

Religious liberty isn’t being threatened . . . only a belief that we should treat others as we would want to be treated.

Now who would come up with a radical idea like that?

Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

(continued from page five)

mated to be $5.3 trillion, excluding interest payments. Thus, Congress would have to cut spending across the board by 21 percent merely to pay for the tax cut, no less bring the budget into balance.

Trump asserts that his cuts “are fully paid for” by cutting deductions for the wealthy and corporate special interests, plus generating extra cash from corporate profits held overseas.

But the Tax Policy Center numbers already account for that new revenue and for limits on deductions Trump has already specified. So how is Trump going to pay the $1 trillion annual cost?

TPC Director Leonard Burman tells me that wiping out all individual and corporate deductions would raise perhaps $700 billion annually at Trump’s tax rates.

That’s all deductions - charitable contributions, mortgage interest, retirement savings, health

Democracy

“That’s a 14-place drop since 2012,” says Delphine Halgand, the group’s U.S. director.

President Obama’s war on whistleblowers is largely to blame, she adds.

“The Obama administration has prosecuted a total of eight whistleblowers under the Espionage Act of 1917, which is more than any previous administration combined.”

Obama’s Justice E.J. Dionne, Jr., is a political commentator and long-time op- Department has used the ed columnist for the Washington Post 100-year-old law - which

(See TRUMP on page seven)

(continued from page four)

that the First Amendment in the Constitution, while protecting religious freedom, was also drafted in an effort to prevent a repeat of religious tyranny that can be found throughout Christian history.

While speakers at the Rally for Religious Freedom fear having the values of someone else imposed on them, neither should the values and beliefs of religious groups be forced onto others.

Religious freedom cuts both ways.

Those who feel that religion is under attack conveniently forget that Jesus preached about

Budget

over. His demagoguery succeeds not just because of his fame and charisma.

In sometimes appalling ways, he addresses the hopes and fears of much of the Republican base.

His pledge to build a physical wall along the border with Mexico hits a nerve with white voters worried about the “browning” of the nation. His disparagement of free-trade agreements gives hope to blue-collar workers left

insurance. Which would Trump eliminate?

Trump also claims his plan would spur economic growth to offset the cost.

“My policies are going to reduce taxes, okay?” he told MSNBC. “And the taxes is going to bring jobs back and we’re going to bring jobs back into the country big league, and we’re going to have a dynamic economy again.”

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget calculates that paying for Trump’s tax plan would require the economy to grow at more than seven percent annually. The average since 1946 has been 3.3 percent. The Federal Reserve predicts growth in the two percent range.

Trump is a charlatan.

Exposing his ignorance is harder than covering his boorishness, but it is no less essential.

Ruth Marcus is an editorial writer for The Washington Post, specializing in politics, campaign finance, the federal budget and taxes

(continued from page five)

was intended to go after World War I-era spies - to convict Sterling and others. This sets a dangerous precedent, intimidates reporters and sources, and cloaks government operations from public scrutiny.

That’s a problem we all need to address. But it’s one news organizations in particular should take very seriously.

A more interconnected world has blurred the lines that once separated reporters from whistleblowers

and citizen journalists.

Each plays a role in a system whose survival relies on the health of its parts.

It’s not enough for journalists to defend their own rights. They need to ask how they can better advocate for the people who are indispensable to their work. Their jobs depend on freeing the flow of information - and so does our democracy.

Timothy Karr is the senior director of strategy for Free Press at FreePress.net

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

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

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Trump behind by the flight of manufacturing jobs.

His advocacy of restraint in the deployment of U.S. troops, even with the Middle East in flames, draws nods from war-weary military families and veterans.

And Trump’s diagnosis of what is wrong with our politics - that the politicians are bought and paid for by special interests - is essentially correct.

His supporters may disapprove of his extreme rhetoric, some of which is racially tinged, but still appreciate the fact that he is beholden to no one.

Can either Cruz or Rubio stop him? It looks doubtful. Trump’s support in the party may be well short of a majority, but he is far ahead of the others.

Cruz’s showing in South

(continued from page six)

Carolina was a disappointment; the evangelical Christian vote, which he desperately needs if he is to stay competitive, went narrowly for Trump.

Rubio would seem to have wider appeal and thus be the more potent challenger, but there is no guarantee that he will scoop up all of Bush’s support - or that of Kasich and Carson, assuming they eventually drop out.

At least some of those votes will go to Trump.

And perhaps most ominously for the others, a majority of Republicans now believe Trump will be the nominee.

If he is, however, his appeal to independents should be limited. The Democratic nominee and that is likely to be Hillary Clinton, follow-

ing her decisive win over Bernie Sanders in the Nevada caucuses - would begin the general election campaign with a big advantage.

To be sure, Clinton has exploitable weaknesses notably the fact that so many voters do not consider her trustworthy. But her long record leaves no doubt that she would be a steady hand in the White House, as opposed to Trump, who would be anything but. Passionate anti-Trump sentiment could boost turnout and give Democrats a sweeping victory.

Such a result would not mean, however, that the Democratic Party has done a significantly better job of responding to new realities than the GOP has. It would just mean that most Americans

believe putting someone with Trump’s views and temperament in the White House would be unthinkable.

Sanders’s core message is the same as Trump’s: that the system is rigged to favor the rich and powerful. Trump offers himself as an autocratic strongman; Sanders promises a “political revolution.”

Together, they have shown that the establishments of both parties have lost touch with big segments of voters.

Many Americans seem to be questioning the traditional liberal vs.conservative paradigm.

The parties might want to pay attention.

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

872-2090

February 28 - March 5 We’re here for you

872-5328 Sunday

Monday

28 Attend the church of your , choice.

Turner Sheet Metal 1851 S. Hwy 83 Scott City, Ks 67871 (620) 872-2954 • 800-201-2954

Tuesday

29

Wednesday

1

SCHS Boys BB vs.

Lyons, Sub-State, 6:00 p.m.

SCHS Girls BB @ Cimarron, Sub-State, 7:00 p.m.

Adult Coloring @ Scott County Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

SCHS GWAC Quiz Bowl @ Goodland, 5:00 p.m.

Thursday

2 SCHS FFA SW Dist.

Vet Sci/Food Sci. Contest @ SCCCLiberal

6

7 8 BOE Meeting @ 7 p.m. SCHS GWAC Forensics

Friday

3

9

Saturday

4

5

SCHS BB Sub-State @ Lakin

SCHS BB Sub-State @ Lakin

SCHS BB Sub-State @ Lakin

Adult Coloring @ Scott County Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

SCHS State Wrestling @ FHSU

SCHS State Wrestling @ FHSU

SCHS Jostens Sr. Announcements, 12:00 p.m.

Pheasants Forever Annual Banquet @ Wm. Carpenter Building, 6:30 p.m.

SCR Soccer enrollment deadline

SCHS spring sports practices begin

SCHS School Play

No charge for community events

10

11 End of 3rd Nine Weeks

12

Billy Allen Products, Inc. The complete

HORSE FEED

207 E. Bellevue Scott City 872-2111

with quality ingredients and consistency guaranteed with every sack.

Box 460 • Scott City

872-2778

The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Prediction: state budget will change

Despite approving a two-year budget during the last legislative session, Rep. Don Hineman offered a prediction during a recent town hall meeting.

“This won’t be the last budget we do during this session,” Rep. Hineman (R-Dighton), said while meeting with constituents in Dighton last Saturday.

“We have to deal with the equity element in school funding.”

The budget continues to be a never-ending problem for the legislature as it tries to live within the constraints of major tax cuts enacted in 2012 and revenue that has consistently failed to meet projections.

Even without the Supreme Court ruling that calls for the legislature to pump more money into public education, the state is looking at the prospect of a major funding shortfall. As it now stands, spending cuts and fund transfers will leave the state with an ending balance of just $6.5 million when the budget year ends on June 30.

That, says Hineman, is just 1/10 of one percent of state general fund spending.

“That’s not much carryover,” he pointed out. “And that’s only if everything works out the way they’re supposed to between now and the end of the budget year. We haven’t seen that happen yet.”

School funding still to be addressed by state legislature Hineman feels the legislature must also assume more responsibility in determining where budget cuts occur and by how much.

“The angst I have is with the governor making budget cuts. It’s up to the legislature,” noted Hineman. “When we don’t, then it says we don’t want the responsibility - that it’s too much for us.”

Of course, the root of the state’s budget problems can be traced to the 2012 tax cuts which Hineman says were “too much, too fast.”

says that will only happen if the state continues to make payments into the program as promised.

“KPERS participants are not at risk,” Hineman assured. But it needs to be fully funded.”

The KPERS issue is a reflection of the ongoing battle over tax cuts that have underfunded state government.

“The level of funding is not in balance with what it takes to operate the state the way it’s supposed to be,” Hineman said.

A lot of attention has been given to the more than 330,000 corporations in Kansas who qualified for the business tax exemption - including farms. Hineman points out that only accounted for about one-fourth of the state’s lost tax revenue.

The remainder is income tax cuts for those Kansans in the top tax bracket. However, the state representative says “we don’t have the political capital to fix the big problem,” which means the legislature is left patching together a budget with low ending balances.

“We’re locked into a pretty bleak future in terms of state revenue,” he observed.

KPERS Payment The governor has come under fire for delaying a payment into the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System in order to transfer money into the state’s general fund for operating expenses.

State. Sen. Mitch Holmes (R-St. John) insists that KPERS “won’t be used as a credit card for the state.”

A Senate committee, however, has allowed Gov. Sam Brownback to delay payments to KPERS. The withheld payments would have to be paid back over 24 months at an eight percent interest rate.

A plan was put into Epidemic of Dissatisfaction place to make KPERS One result of the budsolvent, but Hineman get cuts dating back to

the 2008 and 2009 recession, along with the recent tax cuts, is what Hineman calls an “epidemic” of state employee dissatisfaction. Not only haven’t they seen a pay increase in about eight years, but the recent increase in KPERS contributions amounts to a pay cut for state employees.

“We’re going to lose good employees. Once they get the 85 points they need to retire, they’ll be gone,” he said.

An official within the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism told Hineman it costs $100,000 to train an officer in the field.

“If we want state government to work efficiently and we want to keep that investment in people, then we have to pay (employees) better than we are now,” Hineman emphasized.

He noted that a recent pledge by the state to increase salaries for employees at Larned State Hospital “is a start, but it’s not enough.

“I’m really concerned about the morale of our employees in state government. If we want good employees we have to

respect the people doing the job. I don’t feel we’re doing that now.”

Holmes said the legislature has committed $1 million to Larned State Hospital for recruitment and employee retention.

Efficiency Study There was also discussion about the efficiency

report that cost the state $2.6 million. The report included 105 recommendations that the consulting firm Alvarez and Marsal claim will save $2.1 billion over five years.

“That’s if all the costsaving assumptions are true,” said Hineman.

“We can’t do them all, but starting in early March we’ll dig into them more and see what recommendations we can act on.”

Tag renewal deadline Mon.

Persons whose last name begins with the letter A are reminded that license tags must be purchased by Mon., Feb. 29, to avoid a penalty.

Tags are due for autos, light trucks, motorcycles and motorized bikes. License tags can be purchased at the county treasurer’s office.

Tags must be renewed during March for persons whose last name begins with B.

Bloodmobile in SC on Wed.

During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Scott City on Wed., March 2, from 2:00-6:00 p.m., at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Bldg., on the Scott County Fairgrounds.

The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide.

Donors of all blood types are needed to help accident and burn victims, patients undergoing organ transplants, those receiving cancer treatments and others who rely on blood products.

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

The Scott County Record

Youth/Education

Page 9 - Thursday, February 25, 2016

K-State proposes $1M hike in student fees Kansas State University has proposed a $1 million student fee increase for the next school year at the Tuition and Fees Strategies Committee meeting.

The so-called academic building support fee was proposed to cover $15 million that the university committed for the College of Business building construction, according to Cindy Bontrager, com-

mittee member and vice president of administration and finance.

The business building construction totals $55 million, with $40 million coming from private donations and $15 million of university funds.

Bontrager said the construction cost is about $36 million, and the rest of the funds will go toward furnishing the building and outfitting it with technol-

ogy, among other uses.

The $15 million was committed when the university planned for a five percent increase in tuition, which was the planned source of the funds.

When the Kansas Legislature and Board of Regents capped tuition increases last year at 3.6 percent, the university suggested a fee increase, Bontrager said. That plan was prevented when the

Clear bag policy will go into effect at K-State

All bags brought to ticketed Kansas State University athletic events must be clear starting next school year.

The goal of the new policy is to provide a safer environment and speedier entry into venues. Many other collegiate programs and professional leagues have already adopted the policy.

“Fan experience and the safety of our guests is a top priority of K-State athletics,” said John Currie, Kansas State athletic director. “World events continue to shape the methods utilized for venue security, and we are instituting this policy to enhance public safety and make overall venue access more efficient.”

The new policy will require all bags to be clear plastic, PVC or vinyl. They won’t be allowed to exceed 12 inches in width or height.

Besides clear bags, the policy allows small clutch bags and one-gallon plastic freezer bags. Medically necessary items will also be allowed after proper inspection.

Football season-ticket holders will receive one approved clear plastic bag per person when their season tickets are mailed in August.

Prohibited items include coolers, backpacks, diaper bags, camera bags, briefcases, fanny packs, luggage, purses larger than a clutch, and seat cushions with pockets and zippers.

Board decided for the first time that the tuition cap included university-wide fees.

The cap was put in place because the Legislature raised concerns that fees should be included in the total cost of attendance, Pat Bosco, committee member and dean of student life, said. The Legislature and Board agreed on the cap, Bontrager said, in

exchange for the state not cutting funding to universities.

Bontrager said she thinks K-State has enough justification to increase fees above the cap.

Individual college fee increases, such as the proposed Arts and Sciences fee increase, do not count toward the cap.

Kurt Lockwood, committee co-chair, SGA speaker of the senate and

senior in agricultural economics, asked Bontrager why a student referendum was not proposed for a fee increase. He cited how a referendum was used before raising fees for the K-State Student Union renovation.

Bontrager said for a referendum to be required, an academic building must be built using bonding authority, meaning it would be built with debt.

a gourmet comedy

Playwright Kevin Herndon shares his angst with Macy Berning about a newspaper critic that continually gives him bad reviews during rehearsal for the Scott Community High School production of “100 Lunches.” The all-school comedy will be performed on Sunday and Monday, March 6-7, in the SCHS auditorium.

All seating is general admission.

(Record Photo)

Legislative budget measure could have unintended consequences The latest political maneuver over education funding the Kansas Legislature is a substitute house bill now in the House Committee on Education that could change some popular education programs.

The purpose of House Bill 2292 is to eliminate Common Core.

But, under that bill all Advance Placement and International

Baccalaureate classes would need to be aligned with Kansas state standards.

Since those classes are not alligned, the bill would effectively eliminate those programs for Kansas students.

For students currently taking AP or IB courses, the idea of losing them seems unfathomable.

“IB has been crucial

in my high school experience and it’s definitely been really crucial to deciding where I go to college and what I want to major in and everything,” said I-B student Parnia Razinobakhd.

For parents, the idea of the classes going away is equally foreign.

Some argue taking away AP or IB classes would mean taking away the competitive edge

those courses give students when they’re applying for college.

Bobby Gandu is the director of admissions at Wichita State University.

“If we see a student has AP or IB credit on their academic transcript then we’re going to really consider that that student has had some rigor in their high school classes,” said Gandu.

But, for educators who work with students every day, the loss would mean much more than fewer rigorous credits.

“The biggest satisfaction I’ve had in the last eight years working with these students is seeing the drive passion that they have and seeing a vehicle such as IB course work in particular facilitate that for them. If that would be gone, so too would

that passion and drive of the students,” said Wichita Public Schools Advance Placement and International Baccalaureate coordinator Steven Shook.

The next step in the legislative process would be for the the bill to come up for a vote in the education committee, and if it passes to be referred to the full house for consideration.

For the Record Microbrewery production bill clears Senate The Scott County Record

The Kansas Senate approved legislation this week doubling the beer production capacity of microbreweries and granting permission for the companies to brew and distribute hard cider.

The measures were contained in separate bills, and the Senate passed both unanimously.

The bills now move to the House.

The Scott County Record Page 10 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Senate Bill 326 would double the current legal capacity of microbreweries from 30,000 barrels to 60,000. The current limit was adopted several years ago.

“We do have some microbreweries in Kansas bumping up against the limit,” Sen. Tom Holland (D-Baldwin City) said during Senate floor debate on the bill.

Scott County Commission Agenda Tues., March 1 County Courthouse 3:00 p.m.

Approve accounts payable, payroll, membership in Northwest Kansas Environmental Protection group

3:30 p.m.

Larry Turpin: emergency management update

4:00 p.m.

Scott Co. Hospital CEO Mark Burnett to present 2014-15 audit report

4:30 p.m.

Scott Community Foundation to discuss pending relocation

5:00 p.m.

Public Works Director Richard Cramer

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

Breweries in Kansas as well as the Kansas Craft Brewers Guild supported the bill to allow more production of beer. There are currently 33 microbrewery licenses issued in Kansas.

“We believe these adjustments will only enhance the business climate of Kansas and are of no harm to the state or

its citizens,” said Philip Bradley, a lobbyist for the brewer’s guild.

The guild said the request to set the cap at 60,000 barrels in Kansas law reflected a legal distinction between microbreweries and large breweries set by the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. One barrel of beer is equal to about 31 gallons.

It doesn’t look like you’ll get to drive 80 mph legally on the interstate in Kansas anytime soon.

The state House on Tuesday passed a bill raising speed limits in some rural areas, but overwhelmingly rejected an amendment that would have bumped the speed limit on multilane divided highways from 75 to 80 mph.

Rep. John Bradford (R-Lansing) had proposed the increase. He said five other states have gone to 80 and Texas has raised

the speed limit to 85 in some remote western parts of the state.

“This does not say everyone has to drive 80 mph. We do have the right lane” for slower vehicles, he said.

Several legislators came to the podium to argue that it would be unsafe.

Opponents said that if the speed limit became 80, it would raise the “buffer” to 90. Although motorists driving over 80, but less than 90, could be cited for speeding, the viola-

Public Notice (First published in the Scott County Record on Thurs., Feb. 25, 2016; last published Thurs., March 3, 2016)2t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS Case No. 15-JC-11 NOTICE OF HEARING Pursuant to K.S.A. 38-2237 IN THE INTEREST OF M.A.S. Date of birth: 3-29-2000 Female TO: Brian Garza or Bryan Garza and Parents of Brian Garza or Bryan Garza and all other persons who are or may be concerned: You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed in this court alleging that the child named above is a Child in Need of Care. The Court may find that the parents are unfit by reason or conduct or condition which renders the parents unable to care properly for a child, the conduct or condition is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, the parental rights of the parent should be terminated, and a permanent custodian should be appointed for the child.

A hearing on the petition is scheduled for the 8th day of March, at 9:15 a.m. At the hearing the Court may issue orders relating to the care, custody and control of the child. The hearing will determine if the parents should be deprived of their parental rights and the right to custody of the child.

The parent(s), and any other person having legal custody are required to appear before this Court on the date and time shown, or to file your written response to the petition with the Clerk of the District Court prior to that time. Failure to respond or to appear before the Court at the time shown will not prevent the Court from entering judgment as requested in the petition, finding that the child is a Child in Need of Care, removing the child from the custody of parent, parents or any other present legal custodian until further order of the Court, or finding the parents unfit, and entering an order permanently terminating the parents’ parental rights.

An attorney has been appointed as guardian ad litem for the child: Doug Spencer, P.O. Box 247, Oakley, Ks. 67748. You have the right to appear before the Court and be heard personally, either with or without an attorney.

The Court will appoint an attorney for any parent who desires an attorney but is financially unable to hire one.

The Court may order one or both parents to pay child support.

Date and time of hearing: March 8, 2016, at 9:15 a.m.

Place of hearing: 303 Court Street, Scott City, Ks. 67871 James R. Collins Judge of the District Court

gallons of hard cider per year. Under existing Kansas law, Holland said microbreweries are limited to beer production.

The bill would mandate that 30 percent of fruit used in hard cider production be from Kansas, unless that amount was adjusted lower by the Kansas Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

House okays higher speeds on rural highways

visit www.scott.kansasgov.com

Public Notice

“We need this law changed to remain strong and competitive with breweries in other states and continue our pattern of revenue growth and job creation in Kansas,” said Jeff Gill, founder of Tallgrass Brewing Company in Manhattan.

Senate Bill 277 would allow microbreweries to produce up to 100,000

(First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Feb. 11, 2016; last published Thurs., Feb. 25, 2016)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF FINNEY COUNTY, KANSAS

ry, deceased, on said date.

All creditors of the above named decedent are notified to exhibit their demands against the estate within four (4) months from the date of first publication of this noIn the Matter of the Estate of tice, as provided by law, and COLTER J. BERRY, if their demands are not thus deceased exhibited, they shall be forCase No. 16-PR-7 ever barred.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS KELLI MARIE BERRY THE STATE OF KANSAS Administratrix TO ALL PERSONS CON- APPROVED BY: CERNED: ERIC FOURNIER, #24193 You are hereby notified CALIHAN, BROWN, that on the 1st day of Febru- BURGARDT & DOUGLASS, ary, 2016, a Petition for Let- P.A. ters of Administration was 212 West Pine Street filed in this Court by Kelli P.O. Box 1016 Marie Berry and that she was Garden City, Ks. 67846-1016 appointed as Administratrix (620) 276-2381 of the Estate of Colter J. Ber- Attorneys for Administratrix

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department Feb. 18: Amber Esparza reported criminal damage to property at 201 College that occurred on Feb. 14.

Feb. 19: Penifer Keller was arrested on a warrant from another county. She was transported to the LEC. Feb. 22: Charles Carson reported striking a legally parked vehicle on West Alice on Feb. 21.

Feb. 23: Glenda Ramirez was arrested for driving while her license was suspended, canceled or revoked.

She was transported to the LEC. Feb. 23: Bradley Hernandez, 25, was arrested for a probation violation. He was transported to the LEC. Scott County Sheriff’s Department Feb. 23: Scott Lundgren reported criminal damage to property.

tion wouldn’t be counted against their insurance.

Rep. Les Osterman (R-Wichita) said he was especially worried about mixing slower truck traffic with high-speed cars, especially with young drivers who are prone to using cellphones and other distracting devices while driving.

“You’re looking for a disaster to happen, and it happens very quickly,” Osterman said. “I’m not going to have it on me that I raised the speed limit to

cause more deaths in the state.”

The amendment was rejected 90-24.

The underlying bill, to allow the secretary of transportation to raise speed limits on rural twolane highways by five miles per hour, passed 106-19.

That could increase speed limits from 65 to 70 on state highways and from 55 to 60 on county and township highways.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Kansas has 6th most deficient bridges in U.S. Kansas has more than 2,300 bridges considered “structurally deficient” by federal standards, according to a new report.

That’s the sixth most in the United States in an analysis of federal data conducted by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.

“Kansas and some of the states that rank at the top of the list in terms

of just the sheer number of structurally deficient bridges have a huge inventory,” said Alison Black, the association’s chief economist who conducted the study.

Structurally deficient bridges have at least one key structural element rated as in “poor” or worse condition. A bridge’s roadway, structure or foundation can be at fault for a structurally deficient rating.

“That indicates there is a need for that bridge to be repaired,” Black said.

Those bridges account for about nine percent of all 25,047 bridges in the Sunflower State. That rate is the 20th highest in the country.

“When you look at the percentage of bridges that are deficient, Kansas falls a little bit more toward the middle of the pack,” Black said.

Kansas Senate tightens rules for welfare eligibility The Kansas Senate has approved a bill to further tighten welfare eligibility rules.

The measure (Senate Bill 372) adds new restrictions to rules established last year in a controversial bill that drew national attention.

Last year’s bill, named the Hope, Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) Act, lowered the lifetime limit for cash assistance to 36 months from 48 months.

The follow-up bill that won Senate approval last week reduces the limit to 24 months but allows for “hardship” extensions of up to an additional 12 months.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families estimated about 420 households would be affected if the 24-month limit is adopted this year.

The bill also tightens work requirements.

Sen. Michael O’Donnell, a Wichita Republican, pointed to reduced enrollment in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program as evidence that lower lifetime limits and

work requirements have been effective in encouraging people to work and getting them out of poverty.

“Having the opportunity to get a work requirement in the bill allows people the opportunity to get their GED, to go to college,” he said. “That’s what’s going to make the difference between being in the cycle of dependence and being out of it.”

In December 2015 there were about 13,000 Kansans on the TANF rolls, down from about 40,000 when Gov. Sam Brownback took office in January 2011.

During that same period, the monthly cost of the TANF program declined from $4.4 million to less than $1.5 million.

Sen. Oletha FaustGoudeau (D-Wichita) disagreed with O’Donnell’s assessment that people no longer enrolled in TANF could quickly find jobs.

“People are out of jobs,” she said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do unless you can show me we’ve created the businesses that are going to create the jobs that are

going to pay the living wages.”

The bill initially would have required DCF to cross-check public assistance recipients with a list of people who had won $10,000 or more from the lottery. The committee lowered the threshold to $5,000.

The bill requires food assistance recipients to accept a “suitable employment offer” and forbids them from quitting a job if they were working at least 30 hours per week. The penalty is a three-month ban from food assistance for the first offense, followed by a six-month ban for the second offense and a one-year ban for any subsequent offenses.

Non-disabled adults receiving cash assistance also are required to work, search for work or be enrolled in job training.

Mothers of newborns are exempt from the work requirement for three months.

The Senate rejected an attempt by Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, to extend the “new mother” exemption to 12 months.

Advertisement for Bids OWNER:

(Published in The Scott County Record on Thurs., Feb. 25, 2016)1t Scott City Airport Construct Taxiway 2016 CITY OF SCOTT CITY 221 W 5th, Scott City, KS 67871 TEL: (620) 872-5322

ENGINEER: EVANS-BIERLY-HUTCHISON & ASSOCIATES, P.A. 596 Airport Road, Goodland, KS 67735 TEL: (785) 821-1040 The City of Scott City will receive sealed bids for the SCOTT CITY AIRPORT CONSTRUCT TAXIWAY 2016 at City of Scott City, 221 W 5th, Scott City, Ks. 67871, until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. Bids will be opened and read aloud immediately after the specified closing time.

Base Bid: Approximately 1,000 cubic yards of Subbase Earthwork, 1,700 square yards of 4-inch Crushed Base, 1,550 square yards of 6-inch Concrete Pavement, 80 linear feet of 18-inch poly storm pipe with metal end sections, Light and Sign Relocation, Seeding and Traffic Control.

Add/Alt 1: Additional 400 cubic yards of Subbase Earthwork, 550 square yards of 4-inch Crushed Base, 500 square yards of 6-inch Concrete Pavement, Seeding and Traffic Control.

Bidding Documents may be examined at City of Scott City and at the Engineer’s office.

Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Engineer by request. All copies will be in electronic format. No paper copies shall be issued by the Engineer.

Bid security in the amount of 5 percent of the bid shall accompany each bid in accordance with Instructions to Bidders.

OWNER reserves the right to waive irregularities and to reject any and/or all bids.

Dated February 22, 2016 Dan Goodman, mayor City of Scott City

Almost 1,800 bridges in the state are considered “functionally obsolete,” meaning the bridges don’t meet modern design standards.

Black called the report based off “a snapshot in time” since it relies on bridge inspection data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Most bridges are inspected every two years, she said.

“There could be work

underway to repair the bridge. Perhaps that work may have even been completed,” Black said. “But if the bridge inspection hasn’t happened by the time all the data is collected by the DOT for a given year, then it wouldn’t be in there. The bridge may still be listed as structurally deficient.”

Black said the rate of structurally deficient bridges nationwide is declining at a slow pace.

Bill gives immunity to underage drinkers Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a bill into law that provides immunity from prosecution to underage drinkers who seek medical help for themselves or others.

The legislation, Senate Bill 133, garnered wide support in the Legislature. The House passed it 92-27 and the Senate approved 36-3.

Underage drinkers wouldn’t be charged if they called law enforcement or emergency medical services for themselves or other drinkers, The Associated Press reported. They also would have to cooperate and remain on the scene.

Supporters said the bill will help prevent deaths from alcohol poisoning. Opponents warned that it takes away consequences for illegal actions.

“It takes some time to really make a big dent in the problem,” Black said.

But she said state and local governments need to continue investing in upgrading aged and worndown bridges.

“There is a need for investment. Now whether that’s today or tomorrow or down the line, it’s only going to get more expensive the longer you put it off.”

Pastime at Park Lane The Scott Mennonite Church led Sunday afternoon services.

Residents played pitch and dominoes on Monday afternoon. Game helpers were Madeline Murphy, Joy Barnett, Gary and Janet Goodman, Joy Barnett, Lynda Burnett, Jon Tuttle and Mandy Barnett.

Residents played Wii bowling on Monday evening.

Pastor Bob Artz led Bible study on Tuesday morning. Doris Riner and Elsie Nagel led the hymns.

The Mennonite youth sang on Tuesday evening.

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

Residents played bingo on Wednesday afternoon.

Helpers were Madeline Murphy, Barbara Dickhut and Tara Williams.

Residents played cards on Wednesday evening.

D’Ann Markel gave manicures on Thursday morning.

Musicians perform at Park Lane

Naomi Teubner provided musical entertainment on Tuesday afternoon. She played her violin, the piano and the recorder. Elaine Nightengale furnished cookies.

The Wright family performed Friday evening.

Harold and Gary played guitar and sang a variety of country songs.

Wanda Wright furnished refreshments for everyone.

The Blue Steele Band performed on Saturday afternoon. Band members Mike Steele, Daniel Dunn and Keith Steele played a variety of folk songs, ‘50s and ‘60s songs, and some hymns.

Residents played trivia games on Thursday evening.

Fr. Bernard Felix led Catholic Mass on Friday morning. Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran services on Friday afternoon.

Everyone enjoyed softserve vanilla ice cream on Friday afternoon.

Dona Dee Carpenter was visited by Gloria O’Bleness and Larry LaPlant.

Dottie Fouquet was visited by Mark and Terri Fouquet, Jon and Anne Crane, Nancy Holt, Donna Gaschler; Sandy, Matt, Ellie and Bodie Higgins; Ethan Noll McDaniel, and Fritzi Rauch.

Kathy Roberts was visited by Nancy Holt, Tyler Roberts, Zach Roberts, Buck and Tana Phillips, Taigen Jade Phillips, Gary Roberts, Aaron and Mandy Kropp, Damian Ortiz, and Diana Howard.

The Scott County Record • Page 12 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Delores Brooks was visited by Nancy Holt, Charles Brooks, Cheryl Perry, Preston and Bonnie Stewart, Fritzi Rauch and Wanda Johnson.

Lawana Rothers was visited by Cecil and Kathryn Rothers from Topeka.

LaVera King was visited by Shellie Carter, Gloria Gough, Milt and Velda Riddiough, Don and Marlo Wiechman, and Carol Latham.

Nella Funk was visited

by Nancy Holt, Aaron and Mandy Kropp, Damian Ortiz and Dianna Howard.

Boots Haxton was a Sunday dinner guest of Rod and Kathy Haxton in honor of her birthday.

Also attending were David and Sherri Haxton, McPherson.

Bonnie Pickett was visited by Gloria Wright, Margie Stevens, Lorena Turley, and Larry and Philene Pickett.

Deaths Tyler Michael Graff

Elmer A. Richmeier

Tyler Michael Graff, 31, died Feb. 22, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita.

Ty l e r was born Oct. 17, 1984, in Wichita, the son of Gary and Tyler Graff Sherry (Silvey) Graff, with a rare birth defect called omphalocele, spending the first 100 days of his life in Wesley Hospital, Wichita.

Following 11 operations he returned home to the family farm near Marienthal.

Tyler attended St. Mary Grade School where he was the Wichita County spelling bee champion and enjoyed showing his hogs through 4-H. He graduated from Wichita County High School in 2003 and from Colby Community College in 2005 with a degree in farm management, returning to the family farm.

He coached baseball and basketball for Wichita County Parks and Recreation and was an assistant basketball coach for Wichita County High and Junior High schools.

Tyler was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Marienthal, where he was a 3rd and 4th degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a Leoti volunteer fireman, Kansas Farm Bureau board member and

Elmer A. Richmeier, 85, died Feb. 19, 2016, at St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City.

Elmer was born April 27, 1930, at Morland, the son of Wendeline and Mary (Boxler) Richmeier.

He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in France from 195355. Elmer was a lifelong farmer and stockman, except from 1980-83 when he operated a service station in Fort Myers, Fla. Elmer was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Garden City, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, and John Haskell VFW Post No. 2279.

Elmer married Kathryn J. Hacker on Aug. 7, 1952, at Garden City. She survives.

Other survivors include: five daughters, Deann Crase, and husband, David, Garden City, Sherri Nichols, Hutchinson, Rebecca Greenwood and husband, Randy, Hugoton, Debbie Richmeier, Garden City, and Janet Knoll and husband Richard, Woodland Park,

a member of the Wichita County Amusement Association.

On Dec. 13, 2014, he married Ashley Konda at Spearville. She survives.

Other survivors include: his parents; a brother, Tucker, Manhattan; a sister, Trinity, Salina; grandparents Roberta Graff, Leoti, and Larry and Carol Silvey, Akron, Colo.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Victor Graff.

Visitation is Fri., Feb. 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Price and Sons Funeral Home, Leoti.

Vigil service will be held Friday at 7:00 p.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marienthal. Funeral mass will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Fr. Benjamin Martin officiating.

Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Marienthal.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Amusement Association, Leoti Volunteer Fire Department or Wichita County Parks and Recreation in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 202 W. 4th St., Leoti, Ks. 67861.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com.

Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu Week of February 29-March 4 Monday: Mexican chicken, refried beans, tortilla chips, carrots, ambrosia.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, herbed green beans, tossed salad, garlic bread, rosy applesauce.

Wednesday: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli, whole wheat roll, strawberries and pears.

Thursday: Ham and beans or potato soup, cornbread, stewed tomatoes, peaches.

Friday: Barbeque meatballs, baked potato, pea layer salad, whole wheat roll, pudding. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501

Colo.; one son, Terry Richmeier, and wife, Tracy, Scott City; three brothers, Marvin Richmeier, Francis Richmeier and Gary Richmeier, all of Garden City; one sister, Mary Richmeier, Garden City; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Arthur, Lawrence, Leo and Robert; and one sister, Helen Appelhans.

Funeral service was held Feb. 24 at St. Dominic Catholic Church with Fr. Reginald A. Urban presiding.

Interment was at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Garden City, with graveside rites by the Kansas National Guard Honor Guard and American Legion District 8 Honor Guard.

Memorials are suggested to Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo or St. Dominic Catholic Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 North 7th, Garden City, Ks. 67846.

by Jason Storm

Albert Dean was visited by Nancy Holt, Margie Stevens and Carol Davey.

Lorena Turley was visited by Neta Wheeler, Rex Turley and Alex Snyder.

Vivian Kreiser was visited by Sharon Lock.

Lucille Dirks was visited by Dale and Vicki Dirks and Floyd and Vivian Dirks.

Geraldine Graves was visited by Elizabeth Dearden and Otto Harp.

Lowell Rudolph was visited by Tom and Kathy Moore, Jon and LuAnn Buehler, and Rev. Don Martin.

Cloide Boyd was visited by Zayra Peregrino, Karla Glunz; Brett, Halle and Chasen Crittenden; Don and Marlo Wiechman, and Makayla Amerine.

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

Yvonne Spangler was visited by Yvette Mills.

Corrine Dean was visited by Nancy Holt, Gerald Koehn, Aaron and Mandy Kropp, Damian Ortiz, TNT, Dianna Howard, and John, Kylee and Wyatt Kropp.

Thelma Branine was visited by Allen and Jackie Branine, Deb Hawkins, Shawnda Naab, Kylee Jackson, Shayla Jackson, Lance and Carol Ellis, and Bob and Nikki Cooper.

Jim Jeffery was visited

by Hugh McDaniel.

Doris Riner was visited

by Trudy Eikenberry and Ron and Sue Riner.

Arlene Beaton was visited by Nancy Holt and Margie Stevens.

Carol Auten was visited by Kim Wilkens.

Clifford Dearden was visited by Kirk and Janet Ottaway, Hays.

Jake Leatherman was visited by Faye Summerville and Rod Leatherman.

Scams a lotto ticket. Do not give out your bank number to deposit money that you’re told you won. They will remove the money in your account If they ask for a “Green Dot card,” which is a prepaid credit card, it’s a scam. There are no free vacations, trips, furniture or anything else.

Never sign a contract without asking for at least 48 hours to think about it.

Also, if someone is wanting you to donate or buy something. Don’t do it over the phone, because they will ask for your credit card. Just ask them to send you the info in the mail. If it is a legitimate site or cause, they will send you the form in the mail that you requested.

Grandchild scam. The scammer acts like they are your grandchild or a friend of your grandchild.

They give you a story about being in trouble or hurt and they need you to send money. They ask that you keep this a secret because they don’t want their parents to find out.

Do not fall for this even if they “know things” like where you live. The scammers are knowledgeable because of the information that is on the internet.

They find out info about you and your grandchild by profiles on Facebook.

Hang up and call the grandchild back or call the parent of that grandchild. Ninety percent of the time, you will find out you were being lied to.

If they really are in trouble legally, have them call your lawyer. If they are in trouble physically, their folks need to know.

Investment/reverse mortgage scams. Both of these can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.

Neither of them should be made by quick decisions without visiting

The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

(continued from page three)

with someone like your investor or your banker.

Do not sign any papers .. . ever thout legal or financial counsel.

It’s the IRS. Someone will call and say your taxes are incorrect and that you owe money, but for a fee, they can straighten out the inaccuracy.

The IRS will never contact you by phone. Never.

They do all their correspondence by mail. Even then be careful what you are looking at. Never give them your Social Security number.

They will also say you are going to go to jail if you don’t resolve the problem immediately. Just tell them to contact your lawyer – even if you don’t have one - and hang up.

Some folks have even been called to say there has been a warrant for their arrest or they missed jury duty and now need to pay a fine. These are all scams.

The police do not call to say they have a warrant for your arrest.

Nope, they just show up and surprise you. And if you missed jury duty, you would know it that day, because they come looking for you.

Do not pay anyone to get you off the hook. It’s not the way these things work.

Charitable Causes Which bring me to all the charities that senior citizens support. I’d recommend only donating locally.

On average, only about 30 cents of every dollar you donate to those worthy causes makes it to those needing help.

The rest goes to administration. These include the various life insurance companies, groups that want you to make donations to help veterans and political parties, can-

cer, law enforcement and other groups.

I am not saying that some of these groups don’t do good things, but your money isn’t always going toward the cause like you think it is. There are many ways to research the charity and I suggest that you do before donating your hard earned money.

Well, enough preaching for now.

If you do find yourself a scam victim, set your pride aside and contact the police so that maybe you can get some of your money back or prevent it from happening to someone else. If I can help, call the Extension office (872-2930).

Attend the Church of Your Choice

Persecution A program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate people based on their membership in a religious, ethnic, social, or racial group (dictionary.com) “While the year 2014, will go down in history for having the highest level of global persecution of Christians in the modern era, current conditions suggest the worst is yet to come.”

This was a quote pulled from an article published in January of 2015, from Open Door Ministries; an organization that ministers to the persecuted church worldwide. Often we think of Christian persecution as being something that takes place “over there.” Now I want to be clear, what takes place in the United States, at least for now, is inconveniencing at the least and bullying at the most. However, it does seem like the storm may be getting stronger.

What is the church to do? Roll over? Fight? I’m going to suggest that we do neither and both. Hang in there with me.

“Rolling over” from the world’s perspective is surrender but from Christ’s it’s turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). We turn the other cheek not so that they may strike it, rather in the hopes that there might be reconciliation and they may kiss it.

In fact, in that same teaching Jesus says to pray for those who persecute you. North Korea has the dubious honor of being the country where Christian persecution is the worst and yet an Open Doors contact states that Christians not only ask that God leads them, they also pray for Kim Jong-Un’s soul.

“They don’t pray that God will depose him or get rid of him. They genuinely ask God to save their leader for

the eternal life.” This is not an uncommon sentiment in the nations where the persecution of Christians is brutal and violent. Their prayer is for faithfulness, the conversion of their persecutors, and more salvations.

In fact search the New Testament, Paul never prays for the end of persecution, he prays for faithfulness.

Now to fight! But again the world’s definition is much different than the Christians. The world would take up arms and “shoot back”. I believe the best way we fight is with Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Our enemy is Satan and his dark forces. However we must also acknowledge that this battle is real.

It’s hard to read the stories and see the pictures but we must not ignore our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Organizations like The Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors do a fantastic job of educating the church about the parts that are suffering. I emplore you, sign up for their newsletters in order to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information.

We can fight another way; with our pocket book.

Organizations like these go to great lengths to provide basic necessities, Bibles and pastoral training but as we all know those things require funding.

The challenge to the church of Scott City is to step up and do something for our brothers and sisters who suffer real persecution abroad.

I guess in closing I want to remind you what the writer of Hebrews said, “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3(NIV).

Pastor Scotty Wagner First Christian Church, Scott City • fccscottcity.org

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

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.

Holy Eucharist - 11:45 a.m.

St. Luke’s - 872-3666 (recorded message) Senior Warden Cody Brittan • (913) 232-6127 or Father Don Martin • (785) 462-3041

The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

$1B and counting: the cost of rejecting Medicaid expansion Association, which keeps a running total of the amount on its website.

Since the start of 2014, when the main provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid eligibility to all adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The annual income limits in expansion states are $16,242 for an individual and $33,465 for a family of four.

In Kansas, only adults with dependent children are eligible for KanCare, the state’s privatized

150,000 Kansans would benefit from coverage Jim McLean Kansas Health Institute

Kansas’ rejection of Medicaid expansion has cost the state more than $1 billion, according to the association that represents the state’s hospitals.

“This 10-figure sum represents a loss of nearly 11 Kansas taxpayer dollars every second since Jan. 1, 2014 - funds that go to the federal government to be spent in other states for Medicaid expansion,” the Kansas Hospital

Hospital officials say Medicaid expansion would provide coverage to approximately 150,000 Kansans, many of whom are now uninsured, and generate additional federal dollars for providers hit hard by reductions in Medicare reimbursements . . .

Medicaid program, and then only if their incomes are below 28 percent of the poverty level, which for a family of four is $9,216.

Hospital officials say Medicaid expansion would provide coverage to approximately 150,000 Kansans, many of whom are now uninsured, and generate additional federal dollars for providers hit hard by reductions in Medicare reimbursements triggered by the ACA and a budget-cutting formula

that congressional conservatives demanded.

But those arguments have so far failed to move the needle on the issue.

So, this year, hoping to gain some traction, KHA introduced what its Bridge to a Healthy Kansas plan.

It’s modeled after the socalled “red state” expansion plan crafted by conservative Republican Gov. Mike Pence in Indiana.

“The time has come for Kansas to move forward with a unique,

State Senate okays new category for foster care The Kansas Senate on Tuesday passed a bill 24-15 that could create a new type of foster family within rigid terms and require school aid to follow children within those homes.

Senate Bill 410 was amended to allow, but not require, the Kansas Department for Children and Families to authorize a pilot program for the CARE foster homes and to make continuing education for CARE families optional.

The families wouldn’t receive payment for providing foster care but would be eligible for thousands of dollars a year in education aid if they home-school their foster children.

Kansas has seen record numbers of children in its foster care system for more than a year.

Sen. Forrest Knox, an Altoona Republican who sponsored the bill, said it was about DCF placing children in “highly-trained families” and “giving them additional tools to nurture children in need of care.”

Democrats opposed the bill, saying it set up a de facto school voucher system unfair to public schools and favored families based on questionable criteria.

(See MEDICAID on page 15)

Legislators may ramp up foster care scrutiny on Children and Seniors last week sent to the full House a bill that would establish a task force to evaluate the system.

The task force established under House Bill 2585 would be charged with reviewing the level of oversight the Kansas Department for Children and Families has over foster care contractors and

Allison Kite KHI News Service

A Kansas foster care system that continues to serve record numbers of children already is under scrutiny from legislators and would receive more oversight under a bill making its way through the Legislature.

The House Committee

Does your marriage need some help? by the American Counseling Association

When we marry, we all expect the relationship to last forever. Unfortunately, “forever” turns out to be fairly short for many marriages. Current studies show about 43 percent of marriages end in divorce (not the 50 percent figure often quoted), which is still a large and very painful number.

It’s also a number that could possibly be lowered if more couples pay attention to the signs that a marriage is in trouble and seek out help as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for a couple to spot serious problems early on. Even in the best relationships, there are bound to be trouble spots and disagreements.

Arguing about that new paint color for the living room or what TV show to watch are not problems requiring professional help. Constant disagreements over almost everything is an entirely different situation.

An early sign of serious marital problems is when one partner feels he or she is giving more than he or she is receiving over an extended period of time. It could be the job, outside family, children, or any of a hundred other issues that has one (See MARRIAGE on page 15)

their selection. The task force also would evaluate whether a group of attorneys, judges, foster parents and parents with reintegrated children would help address concerns with the system.

Proponents say the bill is a start to resolving their concerns about treatment of foster children and whether the system has an

adequate number of foster parents.

Five children died while in the care of the system during the 2015 fiscal year. One child’s death was the result of maltreatment.

On average, 6,257 children were in out-of-home foster care placements during fiscal year 2015.

For the current fiscal year,

the average is 6,560.

That number has been steadily climbing since 2012 when it was 5,182.

Theresa Freed, a DCF spokeswoman, attributed the growth to a larger number of children staying in the foster care system for prolonged periods of time rather than an increase in the number of children entering the

system.

DCF submitted neutral testimony on HB 2585 that said the task force would duplicate oversight efforts by several federal and state agencies. The department is facing an audit from the Legislature’s independent auditing team and must submit a two-year (See FOSTER on page 15)

Health insurance enrollment continues to climb in Kansas More consumers in 2016 marketplace compared to past According to the Health Insurance Marketplace, more than 12.7 million Americans signed up for a health insurance plan for 2016 during the marketplace’s open enrollment period that ended Jan. 31. This number includes more than 4 million new enrollees.

More than 100,500 Kansans were among those who enrolled in the marketplace, up from about 96,000 enrolled at this time last year.

Roberta Riportella, Kansas Health Foundation professor of community health at Kansas State University, said as the year

More than 100,500 Kansans were among those who enrolled in the marketplace, up from about 96,000 enrolled at this time last year.

goes on, the enrollment numbers are expected decrease slightly, because enrollees must pay the monthly premiums and some must also submit additional paperwork to be considered insurance policy holders.

“We expect to lose some, but these initial numbers for people who went to the marketplace are encouraging,” said Riportella, a health insurance specialist for K-State Research and Extension.

“At least 80 percent of those people qualified for assistance in paying for their premiums, which makes the plans much more affordable.”

Since 2014, nearly all Americans are required to have health insurance.

The Affordable Care Act, which made having health insurance mandatory, outlines a few exemptions.

Enrollment numbers in the marketplace have continued to generally go up nationwide and in Kansas, Riportella said, for a variety of reasons.

“There is a greater awareness that there is an insurance marketplace where I can go ‘shopping’ for insurance that my neighbors and family members are using. It didn’t blow up. It didn’t go away. It wasn’t repealed, and it seems to be a fairly

stable way for me to get insurance for myself and my family members,” she said.

“Another reality is the fines for not being insured that people experienced for the first time when they filed their 2014 tax returns.”

In the current income tax season, taxpayers now have to show proof of health insurance enrollment - for at least nine months of the year in 2015 - on their tax documentation.

For those without the required amount of coverage in tax year 2015, the penalty is two percent of household income, or $325 per adult and $162.50 per child under 18 up to a maximum fine (See CLIMB 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, February 25, 2016

Challenges await health care working group

Members of Gov. Sam Brownback’s Rural Health Working Group have their work cut out for them.

Representatives of the state’s hospitals and doctors painted a sobering picture of the problems facing rural providers at the group’s first meeting earlier this week.

Melissa Hungerford, a vice president at the Kansas Hospital

Association, briefed the working group on a project she has been leading aimed at developing a more sustainable rural health care facility.

Though the model isn’t fully developed, Hungerford said the smaller hybrid facilities would offer a more limited range of services than the critical access hospitals, which now serve many rural Kansas com-

Medicaid Kansas based solution that uses federal funding to bridge our state’s health care coverage gap,” said Cindy Samuelson, a KHA spokesperson.

“The Bridge to a Healthy Kansas is a fiscally responsible way to make health care affordable for more Kansans.”

Climb of $975 - whichever is the greater amount. For those without coverage in 2016, the penalty will be the higher amount between 2.5 percent of household income, or $695 per adult and $347.50 per child to a maximum fee of $2,085.

The fines will continue to increase, Riportella said, which discourages people from remaining uninsured.

Other Options Consumers who did not enroll in the marketplace before the Jan. 31 deadline may have other options to meet the ninemonth requirement for health insurance coverage in 2016.

Options available now typically have certain requirements for consumers to meet to enroll in coverage, but Riportella said some people still might have more than one option.

Foster

and the state’s rejection of Medicaid expansion, which to date has cost Kansas health care providers more than $1 billion in additional federal funding.

“Financial issues are a huge challenge,” Hungerford said. “About 69 percent of our rural hospitals are in the red for Medicare.”

The Affordable Care Act reduced Medicare

reimbursements to many of the nation’s hospitals but spared the critical access hospitals. Even so, they’ve been hit hard by automatic cuts in the sequestration deal negotiated in 2013 to avert a shutdown of the federal government.

Those cuts, which were included at the insistence of conservative Republicans in Congress, have cost rural hospi-

tals about $2.8 billion, according to the research firm iVantage Health Analytics.

sion. It says that so-called “red state” expansion plans like Indiana’s merely “offer window dressing to disguise the expansion of Obamacare.”

Because the federal government won’t allow states to require that Medicaid beneficiaries work, the resolution says

even the expansion plans adopted in Republicancontrolled states do little to promote “personal responsibility and selfreliance.”

Noting that enrollment has been higher than anticipated in expansion states, opponents also say they don’t believe the federal

government can afford to permanently shoulder 90 percent of expansion’s costs.

At the halfway point of the legislative session, no hearings have been scheduled on KanCare expansion and two attempts to force floor votes on the KHA proposal have failed.

Medicaid Expansion Medicaid expansion also is an issue. Hospitals in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid eligibility are under more financial pressure than those in states that have, according to the IVantage study.

(continued from page 14)

The KHA proposal, like the Indiana plan, requires beneficiaries to pay a portion of their premiums and suspends coverage for those who fail to pay. Some Republicans in the Legislature who had opposed expansion have said they’re open to considering KHA’s new plan.

But Gov. Sam Brownback and Republican legislative leaders remain opposed and appear determined to keep the issue from coming to a vote.

Over the weekend, the state committee of the Kansas Republican Party unanimously passed a resolution opposing expan-

(continued from page 14)

The marketplace (https://www.healthcare. gov/) is still available for those who experience a qualifying life event (http://www.hr.mnscu. edu/insurance/documents/ Qualifying_Life_Even. pdf) this year.

Qualifying events include losing job-based or other insurance, moving out of state, or changing family composition such as getting married or divorced, losing a spouse, or adding a child.

Enrollees with a qualifying life event have 60 days after the event to sign up for insurance through the marketplace.

This is considered a special enrollment period.

Job-based health insurance is an option if the employer provides coverage.

KanCare (http://www. kancare.ks.gov/), Kansas’ Medicaid program, is

available to low-income U.S. citizens and lawfully present immigrants who are over 65, under 18, or disabled.

Children and pregnant women might be eligible for KanCare if their household incomes are less than 245 percent of the federal poverty level.

For adults age 65 and older, Medicare (https:// w w w. m e d i c a r e . g o v / ) remains the health insurance option.

Certain younger people with disabilities and people with end-stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, will continue to get their health insurance through this federal program.

Other public programs include TRICARE, Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Indian Health Service (IHS) for eligible enrollees.

(continued from page 14)

improvement plan to fed- again. She said the experieral officials by March 22. ence makes it difficult for the children to establish Privatized System good relationships with Sen. Oletha Faust- adults.

Goudeau (D-Wichita), Rhys also expressed who testified in support of concern about the caselthe bill, said she believes oad for state employees the increase in foster care who work in the foster children is partially due to care system because she the difficulty low-income parents can have getting their children back after they enter the system.

Parents in that situation have contacted her for help, prompting her to support a revamped system that would better serve children, she said.

Jane Rhys, a volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates, also spoke before the committee. She said children in the foster care system may be moved frequently or mistreated.

Children Rhys has advocated for have been moved through as many as seven foster homes in two years. Children who had been abused were adopted by a foster parent who then abused them Support Your Hometown Merchants

munities.

“We can’t keep going the way we’re going without kind of changing the whole system and looking at the system as a whole,” Hungerford said.

She said the search for a new rural health care delivery model is being driven by a combination of factors, which include the low use of existing facilities, declining Medicare reimbursements

said staff numbers have declined in recent years.

“How many children can you reasonably expect to keep track of and know what’s going on with them? I think we need to find that out and then it needs to be funded adequately,” she said.

Marriage person feeling he or she is carrying the bulk of the load. And it’s a problem that can poison a relationship unless help is found.

Frequent and severe disagreements are another serious sign when coupled with an inability or unwillingness to resolve those disagreements.

While every marriage has disagreements, it’s when they’re not worked out but instead left to fester that permanent damage to the marriage can occur.

Seeking help for marriage problems doesn’t

(continued from page 14)

mean that every marriage will be saved. There are many situations where the couple really is better off being apart.

But in many cases, what a professional counselor can do is help a couple see the reality of their situation and can offer techniques for working more intelligently toward resolving the problems they face.

There are many sources of professional help.

Many, though not all, clergy are trained in helping couples through marriage problems. Within the counseling profession

there is a counseling area specializing in relationship and marriage counseling.

If you see serious problems in your marriage, seek out counseling as soon as possible. Asking for help doesn’t signal the end of a marriage. Instead, it’s often the beginning of a stronger, healthier and longer lasting relationship.

“Counseling Corner” is provided by the American Counseling Association.

Comments and questions to ACAcorner@counseling.org or visit the ACA website at counseling.org

Potato bar supper at Scott County VIP Center • Sat., March 5 • 5:00 p.m.

Debacle A Change in System The original plans called for installation of mini-split ductless units, also known as Mr. Slim units. This was part of the original design for the junior/senior high school and the elementary school.

A similar unit was recommended and installed for the multi-purpose facility that includes the strength/conditioning, rest rooms and locker room.

Once construction plans and designs were in place for the junior/ senior high and elementary buildings, the architect and contractor recommended changing these buildings to a variable frequency refrigerant flow (VRF) system.

Higgins says that neither the architectural firm, the general contractor, the equipment supplier, nor the engineering firm bothered to recalculate the HVAC unit loads when making the switch to the VRF system. Everything was based on the original Mr. Slim system.

The need to have a “complete redesign, schematics and documentation of the . . . units before they were installed was never brought to the attention of the board,” says board president Tom Ridder. “It was assumed by the board this would be completed prior to installation.

“It is my opinion that we were blatantly lied to as the construction process was taking place,” he adds.

Red Flags Begin to Fly Higgins said red flags were first raised when the general contractor sent two of his sons to a Mitsubishi school for training to install the system.

“They were installing a system they weren’t familiar with,” Higgins notes.

The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

(continued from page one)

Problems became evident soon after classes began in the fall of 2010.

In the elementary school, thermostat controls in one classroom were actually regulating the temperature in another.

And it only got worse.

Six outside units that were supposed to serve the junior/senior high were instead located in an alcove between two sections of the building.

“They need a lot of outside air to work properly and they weren’t getting it,” says Higgins.

Likewise, the auditorium unit was mounted inside the building. It was pulling air from the gym and elsewhere in the building.

“It was being starved for air, so it couldn’t work like it was designed to,” Higgins says.

Units that were installed outside are required to be at least 12-18 inches off the ground in order to allow condensation to escape. Because they were installed on the ground, the condensation would freeze.

“There was so much freezing and so much pressure that the copper lines collapsed and failed,” Higgins points out. “Their solution was to construct a building around the units at the high school and the grade school. All this accomplished was to restrict air flow and it did nothing to prevent the freezing.

“We had classrooms in November and December (of 2010) that were only 50 degrees because the heating system couldn’t keep up with the demand,” Higgins says.

The general contractor purchased a gas heater for the unit at the high school in an effort to prevent freezing.

“Their suggestion for

the grade school was for our maintenance guy to monitor the air flow 24 hours a day,” says the superintendent.

There were numerous other problems that included inadequate drainage which was damaging ceiling tiles in addition to poor ventilation which was resulting in sewer gas leaking into the high school.

According to documents from Mitsubishi, the failure rate of their units is only one-half of one percent. Of the 12 units installed in the Wichita County district, five had failed within the first three months.

Given the ongoing problems and the inability of the general contractor and equipment supplier to provide a satisfactory solution, Higgins says he finally contacted Mitsubishi in December of 2011.

The board of education originally filed suit in Wichita County in hopes of keeping a trial local.

However, the venue was changed to federal court in Wichita since the firms responsible for the project are located outside Kansas.

Even with the district seeking $2.2 million in damages, Higgins feels the parties being asked for reimbursement are getting a bargain.

“The board and I have experienced over $2 million in aggravation,” he says.

Poorly Designed The district contracted MKEC Engineering Consultants, Wichita, to get their evaluation of the problem and local officials were told what they already suspected.

“They told us our system was grossly undersized,” says Higgins.

“They said we needed to at least double the outside units.”

The district has followed that recommendation and now has 24 external units.

It cost over $2.2 million to repair and install adequate units and fix the ongoing problems. That work was completed two years ago.

And what about the multi-purpose building in which the Mr. Slim was installed?

It’s working fine, says Higgins, in large part because there was an engineer responsible for its design.

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

Sports The Scott County Record

on a roll Lady Hornets roll over Ness City in final game of regular season • Page 19

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Page 17

7 matmen statebound

3 Beavers win gold at regional; team is runner-up

Scott City freshman Wyatt Hayes comes out the backside for a reversal which later leads to a fall against Weston Erbert (Norton) during the 152-pound consolation semi-finals at the regional tournakment last Saturday.

(Record Photo)

A youth movement has definitely taken hold with the Scott Community High School wrestling team.

Of seven Beavers who earned a trip to the Class 3-2-1A state tournament this weekend, three are freshmen and a fourth is a sophomore.

They also accounted for all three gold medals SCHS claimed at the Cimarron regional.

Head coach Jon Lippelmann wasn’t surprised.

“It doesn’t matter whether or not they’re freshmen. They’re athletes and they’re competitors,” says Lippelmann. “They’ve seen big tournaments before.

We just have to convince them they’ve worked hard for this, but it’s no more difficult than anything else they’ve seen. They’ve been through the John Higgins (at Lexington) and the Rocky Welton. Competing at state isn’t going to be any tougher.”

Claiming regional titles were freshmen Theron

Tucker (103) and Jack Thomas (132) along with sophomore Jarret Jurgens (145).

Collecting silver medals were Zach Tucker (113) and Cooper Griffith (195) while Wyatt Hayes (152) finished third and Tre Stewart (182) was fourth.

Norton (191) was favored to win the regional title while Scott City (155.5) was a runner-up. However, the Beavers figure to be in the hunt for a state championship at Hays this weekend.

Norton only qualified eight wrestlers for state while Scott City and another state title favorite, Rossville, each qualified seven.

The only team with more than eight state qualifiers is Marysville with 10.

Rossville won its regional with 171.5 points while Marysville was a regional winner with 180.5 points.

“Some of it comes down to good luck or bad luck in where they put you in the bracket. You hate to see a (See STATE on page 26)

Flip of the coin gives SC boys No. 1 seed By a flip of the coin, the Scott Community High School boys find themselves in familiar territory - as the No. 1 seed in the Class 3-2-1A sub-state tournament.

SCHS (15-5) will host Lyons (5-15) in first round action which tips off at 6:00 p.m. on Mon., Feb. 23, on the home floor.

The Beavers are on the same side of the bracket as tournament host Lakin (No. 4, 12-7) which faces Cimarron (11-8).

(See SUB-STATE on page 20)

Long-time assistant coach Jim Turner observes the action as SCHS defensive coordinator last fall. He has officially been named the next football head coach.

(Record Photo)

Turner next in line to continue SCHS dynasty SCHS junior Kyle Cure scores a basket during Friday’s action against Ulysses.

(Record Photo)

Hess carries SC to win over Tigers Slowed by a bad ankle, Bo Hess wasn’t anywhere close to being 100 percent in last Friday’s game against Ulysses.

The Scott Community High School junior figured he might be 80 percent - and that might have been generous.

But Hess at 80 percent was still good enough to score a game high 21 points and provide SCHS with the offensive lift they needed to get past Ulysses, 57-41, in front of a Parents Night crowd.

(See HESS on page 18)

A familiar face on the Scott Community High School sideline for the past 20 years will now have a new job title.

Jim Turner, a long-time football assistant coach who has been involved primarily with the defense, is now head coach for the traditionrich Beavers.

Just as it did eight years ago, the USD 466 administration didn’t look far when it began the search for Glenn O’Neil’s replacement. O’Neil was already on the staff when he assumed head coaching duties in 2007.

Turner has been on the SCHS staff since arriving in the district in 1995.

“From my perspective this was a pretty easy decision,” said SCHS

activities director Randy Huck.

“I’ve seen what Coach Turner has brought to the program over the years, not just while an assistant for Glenn, but in the years prior to that.

“I’ve coached with Coach Turner and I’ve seen his contributions to the success of our football program that a lot of people don’t see,” Huck said.

Turner, 50, admits that becoming the head coach wasn’t something he’d given a lot of thought to.

“Even when the football season was over, Glenn and I began talking about next year,” says Turner. “A couple of years ago when Glenn had thoughts of leaving I did think about being the head coach. But Glenn stayed and I was happy with things the way they were.

“This time, when Glenn came by the house and told me he’d taken the job at (Topeka) Seaman, I gave a lot of thought to it. To be honest, if there wasn’t a very good staff already in place and if they weren’t going to stay, I don’t know if I’d have taken the job,” he says. “If I was going to have to find replacements for three or four coaches I’d have had to think seriously about whether I wanted this job.”

Turner will continue to be the defensive coordinator. Assistant coach Brian Gentry will move from the press box to the sideline and run the offense.

Assistant coach Landon Frank will continue as Turner’s top defensive assistant.

(See TURNER on page 21)

Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland

Take a youngster turkey hunting There is a young boy at my church I’d like to take turkey hunting this spring, so today I was perusing the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) website, making certain I understood the regulations governing youth hunting, and I learned some information I did not know.

Any young person in Kansas who is 15-years-old and younger can hunt with nothing more than a youth permit for the species they are hunting, but must be supervised by a licensed adult 18 or older.

A youth spring turkey tag in Kansas is only $7.50.

By law, a youngster in Kansas is eligible to take hunter’s education as young as 11-years-old, but is not required to have completed hunter’s ed until age 16.

When he turns 16, youth are required to have an adult resident hunting license, and to purchase adult permits and tags. Also noteworthy is the fact that 16-year-olds can still participate in special youth hunts even if they possess adult licenses and permits.

So to sum this all up, 16 is the magic age to purchases licenses and permits.

Kids 12-years or older can hunt by themselves if they have completed hunter’s ed and have the required permit.

April 1-12 is set aside in Kansas for youth and disabled turkey hunters only, and the KDWPT website lists 31 special youth-only turkey hunts around the state during that time frame.

I have tagged along on a couple of these spring youth turkey hunts and they are very well orchestrated (See YOUTH on page 21)

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

DHS girls roll over Ness City

The best thing that could be said about the Dighton High School game against Ness City on Tuesday is that they got a win.

“We just kind of went through the motions tonight,” said head coach Amy Felker after her girls wrapped up the regular season with a 39-30 win that really wasn’t that close.

While there was never any doubt the Lady Hornets would win, neither did they dominate like one would expect from one of the best Class 1A-Division II teams in the state.

Sara Cramer provided nearly all the offense Dighton would need with 25 points and seven rebounds. She scored 10 of her team’s first 16 points while racing out to a quick 16-2 lead The junior guard accounted for all 12 of Dighton’s points in the second quarter as they built a comfortable 22-10 halftime cushion.

“It makes a difference when Dakota’s (Hoffman) not in the game. She injured her ankle and we decided to play it safe tonight,” says Felker.

The important thing is to get healthy and be ready for sub-state, she

Hess “The last couple of games have been pretty rough. I could do everything but jump,” noted Hess. “I’ve had to hold back a little and not be too aggressive.”

Hess was aggressive enough to connect on 7-of-9 shots from the field, including 10 first half points while the Beavers were still trying

Connecting on two of her game high 25 points during Tuesday’s win over Ness City is Dighton junior Sara Cramer.

(Record Photo)

says.

“We weren’t focused tonight, but that will change during the next week. We have a long lay-

off before we play again in sub-state,” she says.

“The girls have been looking forward to this. They know what’s at stake and

they’ll be ready.”

The Lady Hornets have the No. 1 seed in the Class 1A-Division II sub-state which will be played on

their home floor.

Top teams on the other side of the bracket are Sharon Springs (11-9) and Weskan (11-9).

six point scoring burst, capped by a rebound and putback, that put SCHS on top, 26-19, early in the second half.

Ulysses refused to fade away and were down by only seven points, 38-31, early in the fourth quarter.

Scott City answered with six consecutive points all at the charity stripe.

A pair of free throws by

junior Kyle Cure with 4:44 remaining put the Beavers on top, 44-31.

A balanced - but not very productive - offense saw Dylan Hutchins scoring eight points while Cure, Drew Duff and M. Faurot each finished with seven.

Hess capped his double-double performance with 12 rebounds.

(continued from page 17)

to gain control in a tight game.

Scott City trailed 17-14 at the midway mark in the second quarter when freshman guard Marshall Faurot drilled a threepoint basket and Hess followed up with a threepoint play to give Scott City the lead which they would never give back.

“They started the game

in a 1-2-2 zone and we couldn’t get into the flow of things very well. It took us more than a minute to get off a shot to start the game,” noted Hess.

“Our guards weren’t penetrating and our posts weren’t posting up hard, so it was hard to make passes inside.”

Hess contributed five more points during a brief

The Scott County Record • Page 19 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Wire to wire win for SC girls Wire to wire wins have been a rarity for the Scott Community High School girls.

But the Lady Beavers seized control early and were 40 able to main- Ulysses Scott City 49 tain their lead throughout the night in a 49-40 Great West Activities Conference win over Ulysses on Friday.

The win, which came in front of a Parents’ Night crowd, gave the Lady Beavers a sweep of their season series with Ulysses.

“I told the girls we had to come out aggressive and stay focused. I was proud of how the girls started,” said head coach Sarah McCormick.

With Scott City owning an early 10-6 lead, junior guard Kiana Yager gave them some breathing room with three consecutive baskets - each from almost the same identical spot.

Yager scored eight of her 10 points in the first quarter.

Emily Smith followed up with a three-point play to open the second period and SCHS suddenly found itself on top, 19-6.

Smith has begun to see more playing time coming off the bench and finished with six points.

“Emily’s not timid. She can handle the ball pretty well for a girl her size,” says McCormick. “I like having her in the high post because she can take a post player off the dribble and go up strong. And she’s really improved on her free throws.”

Coyote calling contest this weekend in SC

Coyote hunters will be able to test their calling skills during the Colter Berry Memorial Coyote Contest to be held in Scott County on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27-28.

Top prize will be $1,000.

Check-in and registration will take place on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the old 4-H building at the Scott County Fairgrounds.

There will be two members on each team. Coyotes must be called in. No running of dogs will be permitted.

Only hand and e-callers are allowed.

Final check-in is on Sunday from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Anyone needing more information can contact Aaron Rosin (874-4240) or Jace Gibbs (2142110).

Entry fee is $150 per team.

Dighton rolls over Buffaloes early for win

SCHS sophomore Bailey Latta splits two Ulysses defenders during second half action on the home floor last Friday.

(Record Photo)

the cushion that Scott City had for the remainder of the night.

“We started to coast a little.

When you’ve got a team on their heels a little that’s not the time to coast,” McCormick said.

“We aren’t used to being ahead a lot of the time so we’re still learning how to respond when we’re in that situation.

We still have to take care of the details that got us the lead.”

SCHS saw their 37-24 lead to enter the fourth quarter begin to disappear under full-court pressure from the Lady Tigers.

Begin to Coast Ulysses cut the deficit to four After building the early 13 points, 42-38, with 2:11 remainpoint lead, that’s pretty much ing.

Sophomore guard Bailey Latta hit a clutch basket at the 1:29 mark that gave Scott City a six point lead. During the next minute, Scott City sent three different girls to the free throw line and each time they made one free throw to open up a 4738 lead.

Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Roberts added two late free throws to finish with a team high 11 points. B. Latta and Paige Winderlin added nine and eight points, respectively.

McCormick said the team is still learning how to handle defensive pressure late in a game

and to protect a lead.

“Of course, they were going to play full-court man-to-man.

We’ve seen that how many times, and most of the time we’ve handled it pretty well,” she said. “But we have to learn not to rush things late in the game when we have the lead.

The clock is our friend. And we definitely don’t have to foul them.”

McCormick was particularly pleased with how her team controlled the boards.

“We beat them pretty good on the boards, even with their 6-3 girl in the paint,” she noted.

When you can’t score you can’t win.

The Dighton High School girls pitched a shutout in the first quarter and rolled to an easy 49-24 win at Atwood last Friday.

The Hornets owned a 12-0 lead after the opening period and were on top 23-6 by halftime.

Junior center Jordan Speer scored a game high 18 points while Sara Cramer contributed 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Hutchins scores 19 against Cimarron With a top seed in the Class 3A sub-state tournament on the line, Dylan Hutchins came through with a 19 point performance to lead the Scott Community High School boys past Cimarron, 64-48.

Hutchins drilled 5-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc to give the Cimarron 48 Scott City 64 Beavers an early offensive spark in last Thursday’s make-up game.

“We wanted to come out and control the tempo and play a little faster,” said head coach Glenn O’Neil. “We told the boys there are three reasons for the press - to get deflections, to look for a couple of traps and to pick up the pace. We accomplished all of those things.”

Cimarron was able to keep pace with the Beavers for the first four minutes, taking an 8-7 lead at the 4:58 mark.

Hutchins followed with a three-point basket and that triggered a 14-2 scoring run.

Hutchins hit a bookend threepointer to finish off the scoring blitz and give the Beavers a 21-10 advantage early in the second period.

Midway into the second quarter, Hutchins added another three-pointer which was the

start of a 9-2 blitz that closed out the first half, giving the Beavers a 34-18 lead at the intermission.

Senior center Drake McRae added a double-double - 16 points and 13 rebounds.

“It’s really nice to see Drake start to take control of the inside. He’s strong enough to body through some people and explosive enough to jump over some bigger kids,” O’Neil says.

“Sometimes he swings his arm out instead of having a nice follow through with his shot which prevents him from getting some good rolls off a bank shot. If he can correct that over the next week it’s going to allow us to play a little longer.”

“I’m more confident in my shooting and I’m getting better with my inside moves,” said McRae. “Everyone tells me I have the athletic ability to do it. I feel I really have to push myself and get out of my comfort zone.”

Junior forward Bo Hess was the only other Beaver in double figures.

“We need more scoring off our bench,” said O’Neil. “Marshall (Faurot) is a player who can score, but there are some things at the defensive end he needs to clean up, but that’s being a typical freshman.”

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The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

KU, Shox are looking strong as dance nears Following KU’s 72-63 win at K-State last Saturday, the Jayhawks couldn’t have been sitting much better in their pursuit of their 12-straight Big 12 conference championships.

They enby hanced their Mac position on Stevenson top of the league with Tuesday’s win against Baylor.

If the Jayhawks can defeat Texas Tech in Lawrence on Saturday, they will be assured of no worse than a tie for first.

KU began playing better basketball when Landen Lucas took over the starting role at center. Lucas has been playing excellent defense and his rebounding has been terrific. Lucas is also a solid ball handler and knows when and where to set effective screens.

Coach Bill Self’s team is close to cinching a numberone seed in the NCAA Tournament, barring a stunning late-season collapse which isn’t going to happen.

The Big 12 generally hasn’t fared well in the NCAA Tournament over the past two decades. Kansas won the championship in 2008 and played in the title game in 2012.

No other league team has performed consistently well when it counts the most.

In fairness to Self’s last two teams, Joel Embiid was injured just before the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Cliff Alexander was lost right before the 2015 tournament and Perry Ellis played with a knee injury. The Jayhawks deserve a break on injuries this time around.

Shox Playing Well After hitting a slight speed bump in the last two weeks, Wichita State appears to be coming on strong again. The Shockers have a commanding twogame lead in the Missouri Valley and appear certain to win the league title.

Wichita will be a tough out in the tournament if they’re shooting well from the three-point line. When guards Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet are sharp, the Shockers are capable of beating anyone.

Coach Gregg Marshall has his young players improving steadily as tournament time approaches.

(See DANCE on page 21)

Class 3A Sub-State • Boy’s Division Feb. 29-March 5 • at Lakin 1) Scott City (15-5)

1) Sterling (19-1)

Mon., Feb. 29 • 6:00 p.m. at Scott City

Tues., March 1 • 7:00 p.m. at Sterling

8) Lyons (5-15 4) Lakin (12-7)

8) Larned (4-16) Thurs., March 3 at Lakin

4) Syracuse (9-10)

Mon., Feb. 29 • 7:00 p.m. at Lakin

Fri., March 4 at Lakin

Tues., March 1 • 6:00 p.m. at Syracuse

5) SW Hts. (11-8)

5) Lyons (7-13) Saturday, March 5 7:30 p.m. at Lakin

2) Sterling (15-5) Mon., Feb. 29 • 6:00 p.m. at Sterling

Saturday, March 5 6:00 p.m. at Lakin

2) Cimarron (13-6) Tues., March 1 • 7:00 p.m. at Cimarron

7) Syracuse (10-9) 3) Larned (13-7)

Class 3A Sub-State • Girl’s Division March 1-5 • at Lakin

7) Scott City (6-14) Thurs., March 3 at Lakin

3) Lakin (10-9)

Mon., Feb. 29 • 6:00 p.m. at Larned

Mon., March 1 • 7:00 p.m. at Lakin

6) SW Heights (10-9)

6) SW Heights (6-14)

Sub-State Losing the coin flip and getting the No. 2 seed is Sterling (15-5) who faces Syracuse on Monday. Larned (No. 3, 13-7) hosts Southwestern Heights (10-9).

The seedings, however, may mean little more than who gets to wear the light-colored home jersey as a higher seed. In reality, this is a very balanced sub-state with any of the top six seeds bringing a realistic chance of coming away with a sub-state title.

SCHS head coach Glenn O’Neil admits he’s a “little surprised” at his team’s record given the lack of offensive consistency.

“What makes these guys successful is they show up ready to play hard every night.

Even in the games where we

Fri., March 4 at Lakin

(continued from page 17)

haven’t played very well we’ve played hard,” says O’Neil. “I think that’s a character thing with them. They deserve a giant plus for that.”

O’Neil notes that the teams which SCHS has struggled against this season usually “have a gig we can’t stop oneon-one.” That was evident in the last game against Holcomb when junior center Conner VanCleave scored 28 points.

“If a team only has an inside game then we can pack it in. If all they have are shooters, then we can spread the defense,” says O’Neil. “If they have a big and a guard who can shoot, that’s a pretty tough combination, not just for us but for anybody.”

“That’s not likely to be a problem against Lyons who

Dighton pulls away from Buffs in second half Behind a strong second half, the Dighton High School boys were able to pull away from Rawlins County for a 61-41 Northwest Kansas League win last Friday.

Dighton held only a 26-20 lead at the half, but took over the game with a 16-9 scoring edge in the third period.

“Atwood is a much better team than their record shows. They’ve played some very good teams real close,” says DHS head coach Dean Cramer. “You always feel good when you can come away from there with a win.”

Junior center Tyler Lingg led a trio of Hornets in double figures with 18 points (7-of-16 FG) and 10 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Jordan Horn, who was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, finished with 14 points and five steals. Junior guard Lake Lewis, who was also 2-of-3 from three-point range, added 13 points and five rebounds.

As a team, the Hornets were 20-of-44 from the field while limiting Atwood to just 13-of48 shooting.

Scott City will see in the opener.

After that, it’s a toss-up between Lakin and Cimarron in the finals. Cimarron won the last game between the two teams, but that was before Cimarron’s Nick Ast (6-5, junior) ended his season with a knee injury. This time around, Lakin is likely to be favored, especially since they will be playing on their home floor.

The Beavers were locked in a tight game with the Broncs until pulling away late for a 54-48 win when they saw each other in mid-January.

SCHS has made some strides offensively, getting more production from senior center Drake McRae over the last few games.

“The big thing has been our

lack of consistency,” O’Neil notes. “Drake can be a big contributor offensively, but that’s pretty hard to do when he’s sitting on the bench with fouls.

That’s something he has to be conscious about.”

Likewise, Hess has been limited offensively the last few games while he recovers from an ankle injury, which has been putting more of the offensive load on senior guard Dylan Hutchins.

The one thing that’s not likely to change as long as SCHS is competing in the season has been their ability to provide fans with nail-biter games.

“This has been a grind-itout team all season and it’s a little late to be developing a different character. It’s who we are,” adds O’Neil.

Turner The only other assistant on staff is Todd Richardson who will coach special teams.

That leaves two assistant vacancies that will need to be filled by next fall.

Huck said there was some interest from outside the district in the head coaching position, “but maybe not quite what I would have expected.”

“I don’t think it was a matter of coaches not being interested in this job. We have a great reputation. I think a lot of coaches felt we were going to stay in-house with our next coach.”

Turner has been the defensive coordinator since 2007 when O’Neil became the head coach.

During that time, the Beavers have compiled an impressive 97-14 record, including a Class 3A state title in 2012 and a state runner-up finish in 2014.

A Pressure Job While excited about the opportunity, Turner was reluctant to call this a “dream job.”

“I think it’s a pressure job,” he noted.

“This is a pretty darn good place to coach football. A strong tradition has been established here and we definitely want to carry on what’s already taken place.

“For young people wanting to get a start in coaching, I could see this being a dream job. But, as they saw from the applicants, there aren’t a lot of coaches with 10 or 20 years of experience wanting to come out to Western Kansas, regardless of how successful your program has been. I like Western Kansas and I really like Scott City.”

Youth

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

(continued from page 17)

Turner’s Signature Often times, a coach wants to put his signature on a program. Turner doesn’t feel that need.

“If nothing looks different about the team next year then it probably means we’re just as successful as we’ve always been,” he notes. “I truly feel that what we’ve seen the last few years has been Glenn’s team, but I feel I’ve had an impact on the defensive side.”

One factor that won’t change with new leadership are the expectations for what it takes to be successful.

“Physical football is the foundation for everything,” Turner emphasizes. “We want the boys to play hard-nosed football and we want to be able to run over people. At the same time, we also want to spread defenses out and throw the ball.”

Gentry Runs the Offense Turner says he has a lot of confidence in Gentry’s ability to take over the offense, though he also plans to have some input.

“I’ve told Brian that the biggest part I’ll have with the offense will be during our Sunday night meetings and on Monday and Tuesday,” he noted.

“After that, I’ll be done with it. His job will be to score more points than we give up.”

Even when it’s determined who will assume the duties of assistant offensive coordinator, Turner says most of the responsibility will be on Gentry’s shoulders.

“We don’t go into the first game with 25 formations anyway. It’s a progression each week, so he won’t be overwhelmed,” Turner says. “He doesn’t have the experience that Glenn has in calling the

(continued from page 18)

and lots of work is done ahead of time to scout birds, build or erect blinds, etc.

The kids are gathered together the night before to check permits and pattern shotguns, and the guides for the hunts are always local hunters that know the area and the birds there, and they will go out of their way to help each youth hunter harvest a turkey.

To view the list and get the application, go to ksoutdoors.com, click on “hunting,” then “special hunt information,” then click near the top of the page to view the entire list of special spring turkey hunts.

When the page of special hunts opens, you can use the boxes at the top to narrow the list to “youth hunts” only.

The application deadline is February 29, so don’t delay to get a spot in one of these special youth turkey hunts.

Every kid in Kansas who wants to hunt wild turkeys should be able to do so. There are plenty of turkeys, plenty of opportunities for them to hunt and plenty of experienced turkey hunters that could each take a young hunter with them, so we should be able to accomplish that goal.

What say you fellow turkey hunters, can we each take a kid hunting with us this year as we continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors?

Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom. net

offense - none of us do but he’ll adjust and I look for him to do a very good job.”

Lessons from O’Neil Working on the same staff as O’Neil for the past 20 years has provided Turner with a lot of knowledge and experience.

As to what he’d put at the top of the list, Turner said, “. . . practice organization, his way of motivating boys . . . everything.”

“I’d never run a 4-4 defense until I came here, so that’s something I learned from him going back to when Brent Glann was the head coach. It’s hard to pinpoint any particular thing because there’s been so much.”

Turner and O’Neil had a very close working relationship that was enhanced by their commitment to the program and its athletes.

“Glenn made the comment during our (football) banquet about all the hours I put in, but he also put in a heck of a lot of hours, not just watching film, preparing game plans and the practices, but all the hours he spent taking care of things in the locker room. His work ethic was no less than what he expected from the kids.

“I hope I’ve been coaching long enough with Glenn that I can get a good read on the kids.

There are certain times when you need to get on a kid and there are other times when you need to stay calm and build them up. You have to understand their psyche and how they’re feeling at the moment.”

Turner says he’s gained something of value from each head coach he’s

New SCHS football head coach Jim Turner.

worked with over the past 20 years, beginning with George Caine and continuing with Glann, Bill Arnold and finally O’Neil.

“I’ve coached with a lot of guys, but Glenn is, by far, the best coach I’ve ever been with and the one I’ve learned the most from,” Turner says. “Plus I’ve really enjoyed being around him.”

Keeping it Loose While Turner has done an outstanding job as the defensive coordinator, perhaps he’s just as well known for his ability to keep things loose in the locker room or on the sideline. Even during intense moments in a playoff game, it’s not beyond Turner to crack a joke with a nearby official or to offer a light-hearted comment.

“I learned that during the year we were 1-20 in basketball. I can yell at them all I want, it’s not making us any better. I may not be that way anymore,” he adds with a grin.

But it’s also about everyone staying focused - whether it’s during a practice or a game, Turner emphasizes.

“The kids have to be focused and if we’re joking around a lot then it appears we’re not very focused,” he explains.

“It’s not like we sit in the locker room and spend all our time talking about winning. We put our goals on the board at the start of the season and after that it’s our job to get better every day in practice so we can achieve those goals. If we do that, the wins will take care of themselves. It

all comes down to where we are at the end of the season.”

The most immediate focus for Turner and his team will be to identify next year’s senior leaders. That process begins now because those are the boys who will be expected to set the example in the weight room during the summer.

“That’s always a concern,” Turner notes. “We have to see who will step up in the weight room this summer. You can’t be a leader if you aren’t willing to work. Nobody is going to follow a lazy kid.

These boys have a lot to prove, but that’s normal every year.”

As for his biggest challenge as head coach, Turner quickly replied with a laugh, “I’ll tell you next year.”

The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

SC wraps up season with win at Goodland Even in a win, Scott City boy’s basketball coach Glenn O’Neil is always looking at what his team could have done better.

“In the first half we got beat on the baseline a couple of times where a team with a better offensive player is going to fin-

ish those opportunities,” he observed.

“And we gave up a couple of three-pointers where we didn’t follow our assignments.”

That was during a half in which Scott Community High School gave up only 14 points.

It didn’t get any better for the Cowboys who

were thumped, 54-23, in Scott City’s final regular season game.

“Overall, our defense was pretty solid,” added O’Neil after his Beavers (15-5) gave up their second lowest point total of the season.

After limiting the Cowboys to just 5-of-17

from the field in the first half, Scott City’s defense was even more stingy in the second half when it allowed only three field goals. During one stretch they held Goodland scoreless for more than nine minutes while putting together an 18-0 scoring run.

The one thing the Scott Community High School boys have been able to rely upon throughout the season is their defense.

After giving up a three-point basket with 2:38 left in the third quarter which cut the lead to 32-21, Scott City didn’t allow another score for just over nine minutes.

SCHS spread the wealth during that time with eight different players contributing to the 18 point scoring burst.

“Part of it was a poor shooting night for Goodland and part of it was good defense on the part of our boys,” says O’Neil.

Only 6 hunting accidents in Kansas during 2015

PRATT - Just six hunting-related incidents were reported in Kansas in 2015, tying the record low set in 2013. Unfortunately, one hunter lost his life.

Six incidents is a low number considering hunters recorded more than five million hunter-days last year.

Once again, most of incidents were the result of careless firearm handling. These types of incidents concern those involved in hunter education because they are preventable and stem from a violation of one of the four basic firearm safety rules: treat every firearm as if it loaded; always point the

Dighton senior Marcos Cruz tries to shoot over the outstretched arms of a Ness City defender during Tuesday’s non-league game. (Record Photo)

Hornets are stung by hot-shooting Eagles Some nights just aren’t your night.

The Dighton High School boys had one of those nights in a lopsided, 74-38, non-league loss at Ness City to end their regular season.

“There’s not much you can say except they did pretty much whatever they wanted against us,” said head coach Dean Cramer.

That was an understatement.

The Eagles scorched the nets from long range, dominated under the boards and rarely missed at the charity stripe.

When Dighton sopho-

more Logan Lingg scored his team’s first basket midway into the first period to cut the deficit to 7-2, little did the Hornets realize that was a good as it was going to get.

It would be another eight minutes before Dighton scored another field goal and by then they were trailing 29-5.

Lake Lewis led the Hornets with 11 points and Tyler Lingg added nine.

DHS was just 13-of-37 from the field.

“They are probably the most athletic team we’ve played all year and they have size with it,” noted

Cramer.

“I was disappointed in our defense. We were working on containing and not allowing straightline layups.

“Offensively, we didn’t execute. You wanted to compete better than that coming into sub-state.

On a positive note, they are very similar to Sharon Springs. It exposed our weaknesses and what we have to work on.”

The Hornets are the No. 2 seed in sub-state behind Sharon Springs (19-1).

They will face Weskan in the semi-finals on the home court on Thurs., March 3, at 7:30 p.m.

KDWPT Report muzzle in a safe direction; keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire; and never climb a fence or other obstacle with a loaded gun.

All hunters must remember to: “Load your brain before you load your gun,” because the most important piece of safety equipment a hunter can have in the field is between his or her ears.

There were also five elevated stand incidents, including one fatality, reported last year. A full body harness/fall arrest system should becorrect-

ly usedany time a hunter leaves the ground.

But a full body harness/fall arrest system is not a parachute, so it will not protect a hunter if not attached to the tree.

When you compare hunting-related incidents to the number of incidents reported for other activities per 100,000 participants, hunting is safer than cheerleading.

And the trend in safe hunting can be directly attributed to the dedicated efforts of the 700 Kansas Hunter Education Program volunteer instructors, who have taught and certified more than 500,000 Kansas students since 1973.

The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Regional runner-up

Scott Community High School wrestling team members during the 2015-16 season are (front row, from left) Theron Tucker, Kevin Duong, Trey Loftis, Remington Wright, Wyatt Hayes, Alex Depperschmidt, Kyle Sherwood, Caleb McDaniel and Justin Hundertmark. (Back row) Jack Thomas, Cooper Griffith, Abe Wiebe, Garrett Osborn, Zach Tucker, Wyatt Kropp, Tre Stewart and Jarret Jurgens. They are coached by head coach Jon Lippelmann and assistants Aaron Dirks and Bryce Eisenhour.

Congratulations SCHS wrestlers in qualifying for the Class 3-2-1A State Tournament

Theron Tucker 106 lbs. • Freshman 1st at Regional Record: 18-16

Jarret Jurgens 145 lbs. • Sophomore 1st at Regional Record: 16-2

Zach Tucker 113 lbs. • Senior 2nd at Regional Record: 29-4

Wyatt Hayes 152 lbs. • Freshman 3rd at Regional Record: 33-9

Jack Thomas 132 lbs. • Freshman 1st at Regional Record: 28-8

Tre Stewart 182 lbs. • Junior 4th at Regional Record: 19-12

Cooper Griffith 195 lbs. • Senior 2nd at Regional Record: 30-4

Thank you Scott City fans for your support throughout the wrestling season.

Stomper Booster Club

The Scott County Record • Page 25 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Dance Guard Zach Brown (so., 6-6, 216) and forward Markis McDuffie (fr., 6-8, 185) have gained confidence and both are playing substantial and effective minutes for Marshall.

There are about 25 teams that are capable of winning the NCAA Tournament this year and Wichita State and Kansas are two of them. It’s the most exciting and entertaining sporting event of the year and the 2016 version will have numerous close games and upsets.

KU Transfers How have guard Conner Frankamp (jr., 6-0, 170) at Wichita and small forward Andrew White

(continued from page 20)

(jr., 6-7, 220) at Nebraska done in their first full season since transferring from Kansas?

So far it’s been the tale of two opposites.

Frankamp’s reputation before leaving KU was built on his three-point shooting ability, gained mainly during his high school career at Wichita North. His shooting has been a disappointment for the Shockers.

In 20 games, Frankamp has played 352 minutes, averaging 6.4 points per game. His FG percentage is .381, which hasn’t met expectations. Frankamp has made 27 of 79 threepoint shots, which is a modest .342 percent and 15-of-18 free throws.

SCHS Wrestling Class 3-2-1A Regional February 19-20, 2016 • at Cimarron Team scores: Norton 191, Scott City 155.5, Oakley 120, Chaparral 113, Oberlin 97, Hoxie 90, Cimarron 78, Atwood 71, Hill City 65, St. Francis 65, WaKeeney 55.5, Ellis 54.5, Lakin 43, Wichita County 31, Larned 20.5, Sterling 14, Sublette 11, Tribune 11, Stafford 9, Cheney 8, Garden Plain 4, South Gray 0 106: Theron Tucker pinned Joe Ridder (Leoti), 1:14; dec.

Kristopher Nolde (Larned), 7-2. First place 113: Zach Tucker pinned Adam McPhail (Cim) 0:30; pinned John Kuhn (WaKeeney), 0:43; dec. by Skylar Johnson (Norton), 12-11. Second place 126: Alex Depperschmidt maj. dec. Nathan Miller (Tribuine), 11-0; pinned by Dylon Niswonger (Leoti), 1:41; dec. Marcus Nolde (Larned), 4-2; dec. by Isahia Mason (Oberlin), 11-8.

132: Jack Thomas pinned Drew Cobb (Larned), 1:03; pinned Drew Juenemann (Oberlin), 0:25; dec. Johnney Perez (Lakin), 8-1; dec. Joey McFee (Atwood), 7-2. First place 138: Justin Hundertmark pinned by Jeff Juenemann (Oberlin), 0:44; pinned by Colby Gugelmeyer (Lakin), 3:43.

145: Jarret Jurgens pinned Ryan Deaver (WaKeeney), 0:46; pinned Max Diederich (Oberlin); tech. fall Wyatt Murphy (Oakley), 16-0; dec. Dalton Hensley (Ellis), 4-2. First place 152: Wyatt Hayes pinned Matthew Quintero (Garden Plain); tech. fall Zane Nichols (Sterling), 15-0; dec. by Corbin Schoenthaler (WaKeeney), 5-3; pinned Weston Erbert (Norton), 0:37; tech. fall Nichols (Sterling), 16-0. Third place 160: Abe Wiebe pinned by Auston Holzmeister (Oakley), 5:43; pinned Keyston Moeder (Ellis), 0:44; dec. Hunter Folsom (WaKeeney), 9-8; dec. by Estin Overton (Chaparral), 6-2.

170: Trey Loftis dec. Chase Holzmeister (Hill City), 3-2; dec. by Layton Tankersley (Leoti), 11-6; pinned Jamel Roberson (Sublette), 2:36; dec. by T.J. Hafliger (WaKeeney), 7-4.

182: Tre Stewart pinned Cameron Blankenship (Sublette), 1:01; dec. Dayton Kempt (Oberlin), 5-1; dec. by Macoy Raines (Oakley), 9-4; dec. Hayden Wilfong (Norton), 6-2; pinned by Jacob Jenkins (Chaparral), 0:21. Fourth place 195: Cooper Griffith pinned Reegon Witt (Oberlin), 1:09; pinned Dawson Hillman (Cheney), 1:57; dec. Adrian Gerber (Chaparral), 9-3; pinned by Gavin Lively (Norton), 5:38.

Second place 220: Garrett Osborn pinned by Trayton Doyle (Stafford), 3:36; pinned Eli Valentine (Cimarron), 0:46; pinned by Isaac Helms (Chaparral), 3:37.

Regardless of the mediocre shooting, one other statistic stands out: Frankamp has 20 assists against just three turnovers in 20 games. That’s exceptional.

Frankamp’s confidence isn’t what it could be after a disappointing and short career at KU. Part of the reason is that at Wichita he’s playing with senior icons Baker and VanVleet at the guard positions.

That doesn’t encourage a newcomer to take a lot of shots.

The guess here is that Frankamp will play a major role on Wichita’s team next season, after Baker and VanVleet have graduated.

White has played at a

high level at Nebraska.

White’s started all 27 games at small forward for the Huskers and his offense has been spectacular.

White’s statistics speak for themselves: 164-of320 FG attempts; 72-of167 three-point shots for .431 percent; 73-of-92 FTs; and 6.1 rebounds per game.

The assist to turnover ration isn’t so glossy: White has just 18 assists to go with 44 turnovers that’s unacceptable and needs improvement.

White is currently fourth in the Big Ten in scoring with 17.5 ppg. If he can improve his ball handling, White has a future in pro basketball.

Takedown Kids Wrestling Jr. Greenback Ground and Pound February 21, 2016 6-Years and Under 49-52B: Kasey Rohrbough pinned Thomas Walter (KS Young Guns) 0:26; dec. by Jackson Combs (Southwest Grapplers) 9-3; maj. dec. Julian Schaffer (Great Bend) 18-4.

Fifth Place 49-52B: Kirbey Rohrbough dec. Julian Schaffer (Great Bend) 8-5; pinned by Jackson Combs (Southwest Grapplers) 1:41; pinned Thomas Walter (KS Yong Guns) 0:28.

Fifth Place 8-Years and Under 52A: Trenton Frank dec. Koehn Dietrich (Mulvane) 6-4; maj. dec. Brayden Adams (Lightning) 8-0. Fourth Place 61A: Blaze Gossman pinned by Breck Rincon (Hutchinson) 0:26; pinned Wyatt Mannel (Liberal) 0:18; pinned by Blake Winsor (Pratt) 0:17; pinned by Matthew Long (Greater Gold) 0:50. Fourth Place 61B: Brodey Rohrbough pinned Alexis Swinney (Great Bend) 0:11; dec. Dylan Brozek (Pratt) 5-0; dec. Kadan Stuhr (Rose Hill) 10-3. First Place 80-88: Jacob Franco maj. dec. Daniel Childress (Sublette) 15-6; pinned y Ayden Juarez (Liberal) 0:43; dec. Owen Rooney (Clearwater) 5-2; pinned Cass Smith (Pratt) 0:58.

Third Place 10-Years and Under 85: Houston Frank dec. Grant Kelley (Hutchinson) 9-7; pinned Laila Kelly (M.A.A.C.) 2:45; maj. dec. Damien Quint (Pratt) 8-0; pinned Adam Kepner (Ulysses) 0:17; pinned Ryan Gonzales (Dodge City) 0:35. First Place 12-Years and Under 76-80A: Zach Rohrbough pinned by Chadwich Pinkley (Mulvane) 1:02; dec. by Andrew Bretz (Hoxie) 6-4; dec. Drew Bell (Hoxie) 8-7; pinned Ryan Heiman (Greater Gold) 1:56.

Third Place 140-150: Lance Miller pinned Jacob Roach (Great Bend) 1:50; dec. by Kaden Stiles (Great Bend) 8-3; maj. dec. by Jerome Ragin (Hard Knox) 12-0. Third Place

The Scott County Record • Page 26 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

SCHS was runner-up in the Class 3-2-1A regional wrestling tournament.

Team members are (front row, from left) Justin Hundertmark, Wyatt Kropp, Trey Loftis, Jarret Jurgens, Zack Tucker, Cooper Griffith, Jack Thomas, Abe Wiebe and Alex Depperschmidt.

(Back row) Tre Stewart, Theron Tucker, Kyle Sherwood, Wyatt Hayes and Garrett Osborn.

(Record Photo)

State

(continued from page 19)

state championship decided in the quarter-finals or semifinals,” Lippelmann says. “That only has to happen in a couple of weight classes to deal a major blow to some team.

“I like our chances,” he adds.

“I believe we can put at least five boys on the medal stand at state and I think we’ve got a great chance to put at least three into the finals. If we can do that, we’re going to be in the hunt for a team trophy.”

my chances after having such a good day on Friday,” said Thomas.

The freshman says his biggest improvement during the season has been his technique.

“I’m getting deeper penetration on my takedown, I’ve learned a couple of new moves on top and I’m getting more explosion off the bottom,” he says.

“I’ve worked hard all year to get to this point. Now I’m ready to show what I can do at state.”

Freshmen in Finals Defending state champion Zach Tucker was expected to be a state qualifier, but the pleasant surprise was his freshman brother Theron who claimed a gold medal in the 106-pound division.

In a field which Theron acknowledged “wasn’t too stellar,” he advanced to the finals with a first-round bye and then assured himself of a state trip with a first period fall against Joe Ridder (Leoti) in the semifinals.

Tucker’s opponent in the finals was top-seeded and stateranked Kris Nolde (Larned).

“I didn’t get a chance to wrestle the Larned kid in our tournament, but I’d seen him before and I knew I could beat him,” said a confident Tucker (18-16) following a 7-2 win.

While admitting there are “quite a bit of nerves” thinking about his first trip to state, the freshman feels he’ll be wellprepared for the weekend.

“I’ve been practicing with my brother who was a state champion at my weight last year and he knows exactly what it will take for me to be successful at state,” he says.

The other freshman finalist was Thomas (28-8) who entered regional as the No. 1 seed and lived up to those expectations.

He was hardly tested on his way into the finals with two falls followed by an 8-1 semi-final decision over Johnney Perez (Lakin).

The championship match against Joey McFee (Atwood) was knotted at 2-2 early in the second period when Thomas broke it open with a reversal and three-point near-fall to take a 7-2 lead which held up for the rest of the match.

“There was some pressure with being the number-one seed, but it also gave me confidence. I felt really good about

Jurgens Earns Gold Continuing to perform well since joining the squad late in the season, the top-seeded Jurgens (16-2) cruised into the finals by pinning his first two opponents and adding a technical fall over Wyatt Murphy (Oakley) in the semi-finals.

As expected, his toughest match awaited him in the finals where he faced Dalton Hensley (Ellis, 36-4), the No. 6 ranked wrestler in Class 3-2-1A. Jurgens grabbed a 4-0 lead with a first period takedown and a second period reversal which gave him all the cushion he needed for a 4-2 decision.

Having less than half a season to get into condition has had an impact on the sophomore, but “I’m learning to handle the situation and make adjustments,” he says.

“In (the finals) I was able to keep the pressure on Hensley. Once we got to our feet I wasn’t too worried about him getting into my legs,” Jurgens says. “I’m being conservative.

I don’t like wrestling that way, but I don’t have the energy to go full speed for three periods. I just have to keep from giving up scores in close matches.”

That hasn’t lowered Jurgens’ expectations for this coming weekend after claiming a fourth place medal a year ago.

“The expectations are way higher this year,” says Jurgens, adding that, “State is a fun week and you know you’re there for one reason and you’re going to fight to get to the finals.”

He also realizes that this team has a good chance at bringing home a trophy.

“Everybody wants to go there to win state or place, but with this team I think we can put up a fight for the top three. But everyone has to wrestle to their best of their ability,” he says.

SCHS freshman Theron Tucker takes a traditional bite into the regional runner-up trophy at Cimarron on Saturday.

(Record Photo)

Scott City seniors Z. Tucker and Griffith who each lost to Norton opponents in the regional finals.

Last year, Griffith was defeated by a Norton wrestler in the regional semi-finals and Tucker lost in the finals. However, both came back to defeat those same opponents at state a week later.

Tucker lost a wild 12-11 decision to senior Skyler Johnson, a third place medalist at 113-pounds last season. The SCHS senior fell behind early, but with a reversal and threepoint near-fall he cut the deficit to 10-9 entering the third period.

He tied the match at 10-10 with a third period escape, but fell behind again when he gave up a takedown with a minute remaining. Tucker managed another escape, but couldn’t get a winning takedown in the final seconds.

Griffith was matched against Norton’s Gavin Lively in a match that lived up to expectations. Griffith has been the topranked 195-pounder throughout Two Silver Medals It was a sense of deja vu for most of the season while Lively

was the No. 2 ranked wrestler at 182-pounds before moving up a weight class for the regional tournament.

Lively (30-0) and Griffith (30-4) were locked in a seesaw dual that saw the Norton wrestler scoring first with a takedown before Griffith took a 3-2 lead with an escape and takedown. Lively closed out the first period with an escape and takedown for a 5-3 advantage.

Trailing 6-3, Griffith looked like he would take control of the match with a takedown and two-point near-fall. However, he was unable to keep Lively on his back and the Norton grappler escaped to tie the match at 7-7 entering the third period.

Griffith again took the lead, 8-7, with an escape. Lively got a takedown with less than a minute remaining, but another escape by Griffith tied the match at 9-9. In a shocking turn of events, Lively not only got a takedown, but in the same motion dropped Griffith to his back for a fall with 22.3 seconds remaining in the match.

“It was tough to see both seniors lose, but it’s nothing we can’t fix between now and state,” Lippelmann said. “Like I told Zach after his loss, other than maybe losing a little confidence, what the heck. We qualified for state and we put (Johnson) on the opposite side of the bracket. If we take care of business, then maybe we’ll have a chance to see him in the finals again.

“The same with Coop and his Norton kid. Next weekend is when it really matters.”

One of the big disappointments for Lippelmann was seeing his only other senior, Abe Wiebe (160) come up one match short of qualifying for state.

“He’s done everything you could expect. He works hard every day, he listens and he wants to get better. He’s been a great leader in the practice room and he deserved a chance to wrestle at state,” said Lippelmann.

Also losing matches in the consolation semi-finals and coming up one win shy of a state trip were Trey Loftis (170) and Garrett Osborn (220).

The Scott County Record

Page 27 - Thursday, February 25, 2016

giving hope Scott City natives establish orphanage, mission work in Guatemala When Justin and Diane Herman lost their child to cancer at a young age, it was a very difficult time for the family.

But out of that loss came hope . . . literally . . . for orphans and the impoverished in Guatemala.

Hope Herman became the namesake for Gifts of Hope, which operates an orphanage, provides financial help for God Bless the Children, offers mobile medical clinics and is involved in housing construction in and around Guatemala City.

That’s become a major undertaking for the Scott City natives who have found a strong base of support for their charitable work in their home town.

Justin (1991 SCHS graduate) is the son of Rick and Carmen Herman and Diane (1989 graduate) is the daughter of Duane and Marilyn Ramsey.

The Hermans were living in northern Colorado with their three children, Slate, Hope and Isabelle, when Hope was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2008 at the age of 11.

In memory of their daughter, the Hermans started a nonprofit organization called Gifts of Hope, which began a series of life-changing events for the family.

In connection with their church, the Hermans traveled to Guatemala City for a one-week mission trip.

“When we arrived here we could see it was a very desperate situation,” recalls Diane.

They saw a country in extreme poverty, beset with political corruption and dealing with about 500,000 orphans not from war, but because many had been abandoned.

It’s not uncommon, notes Diane, for a mother to enter a hospital to deliver her child and then leave the baby behind.

Human trafficking had been occurring on such a huge scale that the government closed the borders to adoption in 2008.

“Our hearts were broken from Hope dying and what we saw here had a tremendous impact on us,” says Diane.

“When we saw all these kids who needed help and homes, we prayed about it for six months before deciding this is where God wanted us to be.”

It wasn’t an easy decision for the Hermans who were wellestablished in their careers Diane in banking and Justin

(Above) Diane Herman with two of the youngsters they care for at their orphanage. (Top) Some Scott City team members and the Hermans outside a home they built.

in pharmaceutical sales to beef producers.

“We had good jobs and were very happy,” noted Diane, who said they sold their belongings and moved to Guatemala in 2012.

istry was responsible for the construction of 52 homes during the past year.

CRI also sponsors mobile medical clinics which brings in doctors for short periods of time to assist nearby residents.

“We follow up with medical care that we’re able to provide once the doctors return home,” Herman says. “We also find doctors in the city who can perform surgeries that require more time than the visiting doctors have while they’re here.”

Herman acknowledges the support that Dr. Robert Rosin of Scott City has provided over the years.

“We send him information and photos and he provides us with assistance,” Herman says.

He’s just one part of a network of Scott City supporters who have provided financial aid and volunteer help over the years. She says that at least 10 Scott City residents support orphans.

“People from Scott City have been an integral part of supporting our ministry,” Herman says.

“They’ve sponsored a lot of kids and they come here to do mission work.”

The Hermans will be sharing their work with local residents

during a chili supper (it was Hope’s favorite meal) on Sun., Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, Scott City.

“This will be our first time to have the Gifts of Hope chili supper presentation in Scott City,” says Herman.

She noted that they devote their time once a year to a major fundraising effort, which is in addition to monthly contributions they receive.

The Hermans are excited about the progress that’s been made since deciding to dedicate their lives to the children and the people of Guatemala.

“We’ve had a huge learning curve,” Diane says. “It’s been more difficult and more rewarding than we imagined.”

But, she emphasizes, there have been no second thoughts.

The size of their family has also grown since moving to Guatemala with the adoption of Max, who is now three-yearsold.

“We originally committed to do this for one year. That was almost four years ago,” Herman says. “We don’t have any intention of moving back to the U.S. any time soon. We’re putting down serious roots here.”

Village Work Another component of the ministry is Catalyst Resources International, which involves the construction of houses in the surrounding villages. A threeroom home can be built by volunteers in about four days.

In the village, about an hour A Constant Battle Despite the ministry’s efforts from their compound, the minto address a growing crisis in the Central American country, Herman says they haven’t been warmly greeted by government officials.

It took the Hermans three years to open their orphanage.

“It’s a battle every day. The government isn’t super keen on others coming in here and doing what we do,” Herman says. “They don’t want to admit there’s a problem.

“To do something like this takes extreme patience and lots of prayer.”

House of Hope is the ministry arm that supports an orphanage with 11 youngsters on the compound operated by the Hermans. In addition, they provide financial support for an orphanage called God Bless the Children that has 21 children on the other side of Guatemala City (pop. four million).

In the orphanage operated by the Hermans, the oldest child is only four-years-old while seven are less than a year old.

While the couple operates the orphanage and other aspects of the ministry, Herman says, “we are required by the govWhen not attending school in the United States, Isabelle (15) and Slate (21) Herman join ernment to have quite a bit of their younger brother, Max, and parents in Guatemala where they also assist with mission staff.” work.

Farm

The Scott County Record

ag briefs

Kansas farm numbers lower The number of Kansas farms and ranches declined during 2015, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The number of farms and ranches in the state, at 60,400, was down 600 farms from 2014. The number of farms and ranches with less than $100,000 in agricultural sales decreased 800 from a year earlier while operations with more than $100,000 in ag sales increased by 200 farms.

Land in farms and ranches in Kansas totaled 46 million acres, unchanged from 2014. The average size of operation, at 762 acres, was up eight acres from the previous year.

Kansas crop values steady at $6.48 billion

The value of Kansas’ 2015 field and miscellaneous crops is forecast at $6.48 billion, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

This is less than a one percent decrease from 2014.

The value of corn production is expected to total $2.18 billion, up two percent from the previous marketing year. The Kansas corn price is projected to average $3.75 per bushel, a decrease of three cents from the last marketing year.

The value of winter wheat production is expected to total $1.56 billion, up four percent from the previous year.

Kansas’ winter wheat price is projected to average $4.85 per bushel, a decrease of $1.22 from the last marketing year.

Frontier Ag to buy Cargill in Burlington

Frontier Ag and Cargill have reached an agreement under which Frontier will acquire Cargill’s grain handling facility in Burlington, Colo.

The transaction is expected to close around April 1.

Frontier has two facilities east of Burlington at Kanorado and Ruleton (Ks.).

One of its main offices is at Goodland.

Anti-RFS

Page 28 - Thursday, February 25, 2016

Farmers: Subway is not your BFF Last October, Subway made waves after announcing plans to eliminate antibiotics use in its U.S. meat supplies. Farmers and ranchers took up their proverbial pitchforks and torches to fight back against the move.

The efforts paid off - two days later, Subway (quietly) revised its sustainable sourcing policy to include that antibiotics are indeed “critical tools for keeping animals healthy and that they should be used responsibly to pre-

ag outlook Angela Bowman, associate editor, PORK Network

serve their effectiveness in veterinary and human medicine.”

Cue the celebration: the industry had triumphed! Many considered it a win… …but was it?

As one of our readers recently pointed it, Subway’s stance is still the same.

The company may have made a slight, quiet admission

that antibiotics do play a role in caring for livestock, but that doesn’t change one very key fact - Subway is still planning to eliminate antibiotics use from its supply chain, and that change may be seen as soon as this year.

PORK Network reached out to Subway for clarification.

Here’s what we were told: “Subway will be serving meats raised without antibiotics by the year 2025. Until then, the brand’s policy has been that antibiotics can be used to treat,

control and prevent disease, but not for growth promotion of farm animals. That policy will remain in place until the transition is complete.”

In just nine years, Subway will join the likes of Chipotle and Panera to further fuel the antibiotic fear factory.

So Subway gets to be hailed a hero, while its suppliers face the daunting task of finding acceptable alternatives. As Anne Burkholder, better known as the Feedyard (See SUBWAY on page 29)

K-State vet: understanding issues with antibiotic resistance Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on the new veterinary feed directive. This story focuses on antibiotic resistance, while the other focuses on food animal producer implications.

MANHATTAN - Have you ever left for a conference feeling just fine, shook a lot of hands and mingled, then returned home to spend a day or two in bed with the cold or flu?

The same thing can happen to livestock throughout the various phases of production as new groups of animals mix and germs spread.

It’s simply part of life - both humans and livestock get sick - and sometimes to get better they need to be treated with antibiotics, said Mike Apley, veterinarian and professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Since the announcement in 2012 that antibiotics used for promoting growth in livestock would be phased out, heated discussions and debates have come to light surrounding the use of antibiotics as a whole and the livestock industry’s role in antibiotic resistance.

“Guidance 209 was finalized in 2012, and what it said was two things,” Apley explained.

“First, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) does not feel that using medically important antibiotics for growth promotion is judicious or consistent with stewardship of the antibiotics, so that practice needs to stop.

“The pharmaceutical industry agreed to do that voluntarily by removing growth promotion indications from the labels of their products. And, since any extra label use in feed is illegal, this takes away that potential use.”

To authorize feed antibiotic use through a VFD, the veterinarian will learn about the producer’s operation, assess the medical challenges and then prescribe antibiotics used in feed according to their medical judgment.

Mike Apley, professor of production medicine Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine

“Secondly, veterinary oversight over the use of medically important antibiotics in the feed or water of food animals was established, again by the voluntary inclusion of this requirement on the labels for these products.”

He said that a veterinary feed directive (VFD) ruling was put in place in hopes that by increasing the involvement of veterinarians, the professional judgment and training of the veterinarian would lead to increased antibiotic stewardship. These VFDs work similarly to prescriptions necessary to use other products in veterinary medicine.

The final revised VFD ruling

USDA survey to reveal 2016 planting intentions What is on the horizon for Kansas producers in 2016 as they finalize plans for planting this spring?

The March Agricultural Survey conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey approximately 4,200 Kansas producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.

The USDA’s Prospective Plantings report provides the first survey-based estimates of Kansas producers’ planting intentions for the year,” said NASS’s Northern Plains Director Dean Groskurth.

“The March Agricultural Survey provides the factual data that underpins these projections, making it one

County Plat Maps • Finney • Gove • Greeley • Kearney • Lane • Logan • Ness • Scott • Wichita • Wallace Pick them up today at:

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

of the most important surveys we conduct each year.”

The survey questionnaire is asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2016, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their operations.

NASS encourages producers to respond online or by mail. Those producers who do not respond by the deadline may be contacted for a telephone or personal interview.

NASS will compile the survey information and publish the results in the annual Prospective Plantings report and quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on March 31.

took effect Oct. 1, 2015, and the new labels for in-feed medically important antibiotics will be phased in December 2016.

To authorize feed antibiotic use through a VFD, the veterinarian will learn about the producer’s operation, assess the medical challenges and then prescribe antibiotics used in feed according to their medical judgment, Apley said.

Medically important antibiotics used in water will require a prescription, just as a prescription is required for injectable products. In the case of antibiotics in the feed, the veterinarian’s only options for the dose, duration and indication (See ANTIBIOTIC on page 34)

Market Report Closing prices on February 24, 2016 Bartlett Grain Red Wheat............ $ 3.77 White Wheat ....... $ 3.77 Milo .................... $ 2.85 Corn ................... $ 3.45 Soybeans (new crop) $ 7.77 Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 3.73 White Wheat ....... $ 3.78 Milo (bu.)............. $ 2.85 Corn.................... $ 3.45 Soybeans ........... $ 7.78 Sunflowers.......... $ 13.90 ADM Grain Wheat..................

Milo (bu.).............

Corn....................

Soybeans............

Sunflowers..........

$ 3.83 $ 2.93 $ 3.45 $ 7.73 $ 14.45

Weather H

L

P

February 16 57 35 February 17 70 27 February 18 87 37 February 19 65 36 February 20 66 33 February 21 53 29 February 22 55

25

Moisture Totals February

0.78

2016 Total

1.08

Food Facts The plant pigment that gives carrots and other vegetables their vivid orange color is BetaCarotene. Fruits and Vegetables that are yellow/orange in color contain Beta-Carotene and carrots are one of the richest in this nutrient.

The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Senate bill would establish GMO labels

A proposal to establish a national, voluntary GMO labeling bill is receiving praise from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA).

The proposal, authored

by Sen. Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, would create national, voluntary labeling rules to be developed by the USDA within two years of the bill’s enactment. It would also prohibit states

Proposal would offer national, voluntary rules from establishing their own GMO labeling laws, and have an educational component to educate consumers about the safety of ag biotech.

Food companies are desperate for national GMO labeling legislation, since state laws could create a mix-mash of regulations that could prove impossible to meet.

Vermont’s mandatory law that all GMO foods carry food labels is set to take affect this July.

Some studies suggest GMO labeling would cost American families up to $500 more in groceries per year, hitting lowincome families hardest.

Here are statements from the three groups: “The bill proposed by Chairman Roberts provides a common-sense, national food labeling standard that brings consistency and transparency to the marketplace, and will ensure consumers have access to more prod-

uct information than ever before without stigmatizing a safe, proven technology that is a central part of modern farming,” says J. David Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs.

“We’ve heard repeatedly that Americans want more information on what’s in their food, and we are invested in providing that information to them. Chairman Roberts’ bill is one that moves the food production industry

Worst idea, so far, this year Earlier this week Sen. Patty Ritchie introduced a bill in the New York state Senate that would place additional restrictions on purchases made through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program, more commonly known as food stamps.

Even though they don’t hand out “stamps” anymore.

Ritchie apparently doesn’t believe that government benefits should be used to buy what she considers “unhealthy foods.” Although New York already restricts SNAP program recipients from purchasing alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, pet food and any hot or readyto-eat prepared foods.

So what is she talking about?

Steak, lobster, cake and energy drinks, for starters.

“At a time when our state and nation are struggling with an obesity epidemic, it is critically important that taxpayerfunded programs help low-income consumers make wise and healthy food choices,” Ritchie said.

Health concerns may

Meat of the Matter Dan Murphy contributing columnist Drovers CattleNetwork

not really be the bottom line behind her proposal.

“Many of these items aren’t just unhealthy, they’re also expensive,” Ritchie said. “This legislation would not only help low-income families and individuals stretch their food budgets further and promote health and nutrition, it would also protect taxpayers from abuse of a program that’s intended to help those who have fallen on hard times.”

Once a legislator - or any type of advocate, for that matter - starts throwing around the “a-word,” they’re revealing their true intentions. This bill isn’t about helping people who’ve fallen on hard times stretch their food budgets and avoid obesity, it’s about reinforcing a belief that people receiving SNAP assistance are not only lower in the tax brackets, but also in the morality department.

And that’s despicable.

When is steak not steak?

By all accounts, Ritchie

Subway Foodie, pointed out in a commentary here, Subway would rather producers leave sick animals to suffer until they die or euthanize an animal that may have otherwise survived with responsible antibiotic treatment.

When we pushed Subway for more information, the spokeswoman said, “This is just the latest step in the Subway brand’s journey to make its menu even better by offering only the highquality, affordable menu items that today’s customers are seeking.”

Did you catch that?

There’s the truth - it’s not about antibiotic resistance. It’s not about animal health. It’s not even about human health. It’s all about that ultimate bottom line.

It may seem harmless, but Subway, Panera, McDonald’s or any company marketing its “antibiotic-free” products are actually doing more harm

is a small governmentloving conservative legislator from a conservative county in northern New York. Which is all well and good - until she proposed a big nanny-state proposal for government to start snooping into people’s shopping carts to tell them what they can and cannot eat.

That sure doesn’t feel like the conservative approach to preserving individual liberty and freedom.

Not to mention that calling beef, just because it happens to be packaged as a whole-muscle cut, rather than ground and portioned, an “unhealthy food item” is equally wrong-headed. And inaccurate.

You want to curb obesity? Eat more beef, not less!

And by the way? Who gets to decide what’s a steak, and what’s not?

Sure, a Porterhouse or a New York Strip qualify as steaks - not that such cuts are typically sitting in the self-serve case at most supermarkets, anyway.

But what about flank steak? Philly Cheesesteak?

Or Steak-Umms? Are

(continued from page 28)

to the industry than any efforts by the Humane Society of the United States or PETA. As Dallas Hockman, the NPPC’s vice president of industry relations, explained at the Leman Swine Conference in September, “If you have major players beginning to use terms like ‘antibiotic-free’ as a point of differentiation, it drives awareness much more so than activist groups.”

Don’t stop trying to reach Subway or its consumers. Groups like the National Pork Producers Council are working hard to elicit change through the voices of livestock producers heard by companies like Subway. There’s more to do though - Dairy Herd Management urged farmers and ranchers to get involved in bringing agriculture to classrooms to reach the future consumers or CEOs of major companies.

Keep pushing your

message on social media, at state fairs or even your local grocery stores.

As Minnesota pig farmer and blogger Wanda Patsche wrote in the wake of the October Subway fiasco, “Farmers are no different from Subway customers in that they want safe food. We don’t want to eat meat that is contaminated with antibiotics either.

That’s why we are so very careful in using antibiotics sparingly. Most of us who raise agricultural animals eat the same meat we sell.

“We would never want to put our families in any type of danger. We also realize that raising food for other families is a big responsibility and we don’t take it lightly.

Please allow us to use the tools we need to do it right by providing safe and healthy food for you.”

Don’t let Subway - or any company, group or entity - silence your story.

those still “steaks?”

Is it really plausible to trust some grocery clerk to decide which product that may have “steak” on the label is eligible for purchase?

That’s why Ritchie’s proposed bill isn’t about health and nutrition, nor is it about helping poor people stretch their food budget.

It’s the product of a belief that if people aren’t affluent, they’re not capable of making intelligent decisions, whether it’s about health care, food choices or recreational activities.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, Ritchie and her ilk not only buy into the false notion that “meat is unhealthy,” they expose their bias toward people who qualify for food assistance, in many cases working families or people who simply lost their jobs when corporate America decided it was cheaper to outsource manufacturing to lower wage countries overseas.

I would call Ritchie’s bill blatant hypocrisy, but that would give it an aura of legitimacy it really doesn’t deserve.

in a direction of greater transparency, while at the same time protecting farmers’ ability to use what science has repeatedly proven to be a safe and sustainable technology,” said ASA President Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Greenwood, Del. “If Congress implements a national law requiring a uniformed standard like what is contained in this bill, the food industry, animal food industry, farmers and con-

sumers will share equal protection from unnecessary costs and different state mandated labeling requirements,” says Leah Wilkinson, AFIA vice president of legislative, regulatory and state affairs.

“AFIA and the animal food industry welcome this bill with open arms as we seek a solution to this ongoing dilemma. We believe this is a fair resolution for both agriculture and consumers, as it provides consistency in the marketplace.”

Have questions about the Scott Community Foundation? call 872-3790 or e-mail: julie@scottcf.org

JONES CLUB LAMBS Raising excellent quality show lambs. Winning genetics!

Jeremy • 620-397-1638 Stefanie • 620-397-8075 113 W. Hwy 4, Healy, Ks bustn2kick@st-tel.net

County Plat Maps

By Western Cartographers Scott • Lane • Wichita • Ness • Logan Gove • Greeley • Finney • Wallace • Kearny Pick them up today at:

406 Main • Scott City • 620 872-2090

$

7

The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

The Scott County Record Professional Directory

There’s no better way to reach your potential customers in Scott County and the surrounding areas.

Agriculture

Preconditioning and Growing

• 45 Years Experience • Managed and owned by full-time DVM • 2,000 Head capacity Office - 872-5150 • Scott City Stuart Doornbos Home - 872-2775 Cell - 874-0951

Pro Ex II

Sager’s Pump Service

Over 20 Years Experience

Professional Extermination Commercial & Residential

• Irrigation • Domestic • Windmills • Submersibles

Cell: 874-4486 • Office 872-2101

• Termites • Rodents • Soil Sterilization • Pre Treats • Lawn Care • Fly Parasites

John Kropp, Owner • Scott City 874-2023 (cell) • 872-3400 (office) • prox2@live.com

Construction/Home Repair

Walker Plumbing, Inc. Backhoe & Trenching services • Irrigation & gas leak repairs • Full-line irrigation parts T-L center pivot dealer Floor heat systems Pump & install septic systems Boring equipment

423 S. Mesquite Rd. • Scott City • 872-2130

ELLIS AG SERVICES • Custom Manure Conditioning • Hauling and Spreading • Custom Swathing and Baling • Rounds-Net or Twine • Gyp and Sand Sales • Custom Harvesting Call Brittan Ellis • 620-874-5160

CHAMBLESS ROOFING Residential

All Types of Roofing

Commercial

Cedar Shake and Shingle Specialists Return to Craftsmanship Attention to Detail and Quality Guaranteed 620-872-2679 • 1-800-401-2683

RTRex Turley, Plumbing Master Plumber Residental and Commercial Plumbing

Water Systems, water lines, sewer cleaning faucets and fixtures, garbage diposals and more

Marienthal, Ks.

620-909-5014 (H) • 620-874-4128 (C)

SPENCER PEST CONTROL

Automotive

RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL Termite Baiting Systems • Rodents Weed Control • Structural Insects Termite Control Box 258, Scott City • (620) 872-2870

Landscaping • Lawn/Trees

Berning Tree Service David Berning • Marienthal

620-379-4430

Tree Trimming and Removal Hedge and Evergreen Trimming Stump Removal

Fully Insured

Contact:

SCOT AYTES • 874-1646 t Paint i

Red

Specializing in all coatings

or any other color Paint inside and out residential, commercial, and industrial.

Free estimates and 16 plus years of experience.

PC Painting, Inc. Paul Cramer 620-290-2410 620-872-8910 www.pcpaintinginc.com

Medical

Charles Purma II D.D.S. P.A. General Dentistry, Cosmetics, and Insurance Accepted

We welcome new patients.

324 N. Main • Scott City • 872-2389 Residence 872-5933

$

7

The Scott County Record • Page 31 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

Professional Directory Continued

Brent Rogers

Sales Consultant b.rogers@officesolutionsinc.biz

Office (620) 276-3131 Toll Free 1-800-794-9052 Cell (620) 874-0014 Fax (620) 276-8876 1007 N. 8th, Garden City, KS 67846 www.officesolutionsinc.biz

Horizon Health For your home medical supply and equipment needs!

We service and repair all that we sell.

1602 S. Main • Scott City • 872-2232 Toll Free : 1-866-672-2232

Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

www.reganjewelers.com

412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142

Services

(Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”...

Technology Lead Chiropractic

Dr. James Yager 110 W. 4th St. • Scott City • 872-2310 Toll Free: 800-203-9606

Berning Auction “Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”

For all your auction needs call:

(620) 375-4130

Dr. Jeffrey A. Heyd Optometrist

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti All Under One Roof

Revcom Electronics

20/20 Optometry

Treatment of Ocular Disease • Glaucoma Detection Children’s Vision • Glasses • Contact Lenses

Complete family eye center!

106 W. 4th • Scott City • 872-2020 • Emergencies: 214-1462

Scott City Myofascial Release Sandy Cauthon RN

Your RadioShack Dealer Two-way Radio Sales & Service

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.

Sports/Outdoors

Help Wanted

GUN SHOW. Feb. 27-28. Saturday, 9:005:00; Sunday 9:00-3:00.

Century II Expo Hall (225 W. Douglas Ave.) 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.

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN career opportunity for responsible, motivated individual.

Competitive pay, benefits and continuous training.

Contact Kim at Hillsboro Ford. 620-947-3134; 888611-1186; or kim@hillsborofordks.com.

Homes $10,000 OFF doubles and $5,000 off singles through the end of February.

Lenders offering $0 down for landowners. Call about the Breeze. Over 2,000 sq. ft. under $80,000. 866858-6862.

For Sale 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 Truck Driving job placement. VA benefits available. 1-866-362CONVOY SYSTEMS 6497. is hiring Class A drivers to run from Kansas City Opportunities to the west coast. Home weekly. Great benefits. OWN YOUR OWN www.convoysystems.com. Dollar, Big Box, mail/ Call Lori at 1-800-926- ship, party or womens’ clothing/accessory/bou6869, ext. 303.

––––––––––––––––––––– tique store. 100% financDRIVERS. Class A ing. OAC from $59,900.

CDL, 23+. End dump/ 100% turnkey. 1-877-500hopper experience. No 7606. dollarstoreservices. recent tickets/accidents. com/start/KS. Out one week at a time.

Competitive pay, bonuses, raises. Call MBI 316-8319700, ext. 107.

Locally owned and operated since 1990

1104 Main • Scott City • 872-2625

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, February 25, 2016

Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009

Classified Ad Deadline: Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Classified Ad Rate: 20¢ per word. Minimum charge, $5.

Blind ad: $2.50 per week extra. Card of thanks: 10¢ per word. Minimum charge, $3. Classified Display Ad rate: $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.

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.

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Logan County Manor needing

Card of Thanks Dear family and friends. What a wonderful, beautiful, awesome 95th birthday I had. You really came through with so many birthday cards.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Lois Bryant

Yard Sale Saturday, Feb. 27 • 9:00 a.m. to noon 1317 Glenn St., Scott City Children’s, men’s and women’s clothing Everything 50¢ Cash Only • No Early Sales

Notice

Agriculture

WOULD THE LADY who called Renberger Jewelry in Ness City to have a grandfather clock repaired please call back?

785-798-2880.

29tfc

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 House for Sale contracting information.

Lane County Feeders.

1-3 BEDROOM, 1 bath, 397-5341.

44tfc FH/A, basement, new roof, large yard. Call Mike Rentals 620-874-2425.

23tfc

Help Wanted USD 466 NEEDS s u b stitute route bus drivers.

For applications and additional information contact Lance Carter at 620-8727655.

02tfc ––––––––––––––––– FA R M W O R K E R .

4/15/16-12/1/13, Anderson Harvesting, Bridgeport, Nebr. 3 temp jobs.

Operate harvesting machines to harvest crops in Nebr. Adjust speed of cutters, blowers, conveyors, and weight of cutting head. Change cutting head. Drive truck to transport produce and haul harvesting machines b/w work sites. Service machinery/make in-field repairs. $13.80-$1800/mo, 3/4 work guarantee, tools/ equip/housing provided, trans and subsistence exp reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620-2272149. Job #333332. ________________________________

FAMWORKER. Farmworker, 4/15/16-10/15/16, Ben and Donna Walter Farms, Capron, Okla. 35 temp jobs. Operate harvesting machines to harvest crops in OK/KS/CO/ MT. Adjust speed of cutters, blowers, conveyors, and weight of cutting head.

Change cutting head.

Drive truck to transport produce and haul harvesting machines b/w work sites.

Service machinery/make in-field repairs. $3,500/mo plus R&B, 3/4 work guarantee, tools/ equip/housing provided, trans and subsistence exp reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620.227.2149.

Job #OK1072674.

1 Bedroom Appartments for rent. Call 620-8748353.

21716tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available.

Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, 620-874-2120.

41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– PLAINJAN’S RENTAL houses and duplexes. Stop by the office or call 620872-5777.

05tfc

Services 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 Is your subscription paid?

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.

RN, LPN, CMA and CNA shifts.

We are a 45-bed long-term care facility.

We offer competitive wages, KPERS, health insurance, excellent PTO and paid membership to our Wellness Center.

Contact Diana Dible at: 785-672-8109

EOE

17tfc

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.

19tfc

One of a kind!

You have to see it to believe it!

3 + 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room, custom oak trim and kitchen.

Completely remodeled!!!

PLUS...

25’ x 36’ shop garage with floor heat, 3/4 bath, living quarters, wood fence, storage shed, sprinkler, SA garage, and a nice building with FA-CA, office area, and plenty of storage!!!

REDUCED - CALL FOR PRICE!!!

Looking for a lot in an excellent location to build your dream home?

Then call us about Prairie Meadows Addition.

GREAT west location!

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

Take a virtual tour online and see the rooms!

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Tuesday nights at 8:00 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

District 11 AA Meetings

Scott City

Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. • 8:00 p.m.

807 Kingsley Last Sat., Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m.

All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118

Dighton

Thursday • 8:30 p.m.

535 Wichita St. All open meetings, 397-2647

The Scott County Record • Page 33 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Employment Opportunities FOOD SERVICE

RECEPTIONIST

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.

Scott City Eye Center has a full-time opening.

18tfc

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL

Monday • 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday • 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Applicant must have high school diploma.

Must be computer literate and able to maintain a standard of professionalism with the public.

Benefits available after 1 year.

Will train the right person.

Mail or take resumé and cover letter to:

Scott City Eye Center 104 Albert Ave., Scott City, KS 67871

26t4c

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

PARK LANE NURSING HOME Has openings for the following positions: Full-time RN/LPN Full-time Dietary aide/Cook Full-time CNA/CMA Full-Time Housekeeping 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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”

S E N JOLUB S B C Driving M LA

2616tfc

for the PURPLE!

Jeremy • 620-397-1638 Stefanie • 620-397-8075

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

17t2c

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

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 Clinic RN and LPN - FT Circulating/Pre-Op/Post-Op/PACU RN 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.

2916tfc

The Scott County Record • Page 34 • Thursday, February 25, 2016

Antibiotic are on the label.

Apley believes it is important to pay attention to antibiotic stewardship for the purpose of preserving these tools for animal agriculture, just as it is important to take precautionary measures to protect antibiotic use in human medicine.

Precautionary Principle There are many theories about how antibioticresistant bacteria can be spread from animals to humans, but Apley said the truth is scientists on both sides of the argument struggle to prove probability. Then enters the precautionary principle, which is a recognized regulatory approach commonly used in Europe.

“The precautionary principle says that if there’s enough information to cause me as a regulator to think that there’s a potential harm to human health, and that threat is big enough that if it gets snowballing and we can’t stop it there can be great harm, then I’m going to remove that threat until someone can prove to me that it’s not a threat,” he said.

“The FDA will adamantly deny using the precautionary principle, but when you look at the data showing that growth promotion use can be separated from prevention, control or therapeutic uses as far as selection for resistance, well, there is none.”

Human vs Animal Use Apley said that if he were to boil down the issue of antibiotic resistance in humans related to animal production use of antibiotics, it would go something like this: “If the problem of antibiotic resistance to humans were three feet tall, the contribution by antibiotics used in the livestock industry is probably around four to six inches.”

He said the misconception we often see in mainstream media comes from the statement of facts about how many antibiotic-resistant cases are reported each year that seamlessly transition to talk about the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. But, when he went through the tables and data provided, the statistics did not provide a strong link.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2013, an estimated 2,049,442 cases were linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria that resulted in 23,488 deaths.

When Apley studied the data, he said he found that out of 17 different antibiotic-resistant microorganisms listed in the report, only two had a defined connection to animal agriculture.

He said this meant that

Sweet Savings

(continued from page 28)

out of the two million infections, less than 20 percent have a real potential for resistance to be linked back to animal production antibiotic use. The number of deaths caused by those two microorganisms was less than 0.3 percent of the total deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant microorganisms that year.

“There are some that could be linked to food animal production,” Apley said, “and that’s where the precautionary principle is used. But, consumers should know that we are serious about the health of our animals, and we’re serious about raising healthy food.

When they hear about an outbreak or something that slipped through the cracks, think about this: numerators are easy, but denominators are hard.”

Apley means that while hearing about a single case of antibiotic resistance once every six months may be scary, think of how many millions and billions of meals were eaten in that time frame, and there was only one case.

“If there are illnesses or a loss of life, that is the last thing we want,” he said. “I’m not downplaying that. But, you look at the big picture, and one out of a billion is a pretty good record. We have an incredibly safe food supply, and we have the vast majority of producers who are committed to raising animals right.”

Antibiotic Stewardship Apley said that perhaps the greater issue of antibiotic resistance doesn’t even pass the pasture gate.

What if producers could be overusing their last line of defense?

The last new antibiotic group released and approved for human or animal use – and we now use a member of that group in food animals - was in 1978, he said.

Everything since then has just undergone chemical modification. Those modifications may help for a short time, but eventually they lose their effectiveness.

“Bacteria are like opossums; they live stupid and have a lot of offspring,” Apley said. “It’s not that the bacteria outsmart us, but it’s that there are so many offspring with so many different mutations that the ones that can survive multiply, and we have a new, adapted population. So we create new versions of the same antibiotics that outrun them for a while, and then they genetically select to overcome them.”

He said that antibiotics can often be used as a management tool, and when that practice becomes routine, the price paid can be a loss in value

of that antibiotic when it’s needed to actually treat an animal.

“For producers and veterinarians, antibiotic resistance isn’t just about whether we do or don’t affect human antibiotic resistance,” Apley said.

“It’s about preserving these valuable tools for our use 10 to 20 years down the road. We have to be good stewards of them, and that means doing everything we possibly can to make sure we don’t have to use them.”

In some cases, antibiotics are required for disease control, but Apley encourages producers to work with their veterinarians and try other preventative measures such as vaccines, biosecurity, animal flow, environmental management, culling and diagnostic testing first to control disease and lower the use of antibiotics.

“Having to use an antibiotic for disease prevention or control means we failed at everything else we can do to prevent that disease,” he said.

“They can be valuable tools, and in some cases they are definitely needed regardless of our best efforts. But, in some cases our best efforts can prevent their use.”

Buy of the Week!

Wednesday Feb. 24 - Tuesday, March 1

Cowbell Creamery

Ice Cream

1

$

98 48 oz.

1314 S. Main, Scott City 872-5854 www.heartlandfoodsstores.com

Farm Equipment Saturday, March 5 • 9:30 a.m.

Location: Wichita County Fairgrounds, east edge of Leoti Area Farmers, Owners Combine

motor, 13.5 ft. bed 1977 Peterbilt semi truck 352, Big Cam Cummins motor, 13spd. trans., less than 1,000 miles, new injectors, fuel pump, rod and mains 1975 Ford tandem truck, 20 ft. bed and hoist

overhaul drills pt., 20 ft.

1983 Ford F250 JD 640 loader bucket Lilliston 8 row pickup, 5-spd. trans.

JD 640 loader forks cultivator 1978 Ford F100 (2) 110 gal. shuttles Kanam Terracing pickup 1,000 gal water tank machine 16 ft., tilt, angle 2000 Ford F250 JD grapple forks 2012 Rossi 3 pt. hay pickup, V10 motor, 3,000 gal. fuel tank rake, 5- wheel, like new automatic, 106,000 1,000 gal fuel tank 2009 Land Pride bat miles with Bessler 3100 Set of pickers for 9x6 wing mower, 15 ft. pivot bale bed Quinstar Fallow Master sweep plow 20.8 R42 tractor duels 48 ft. with pickers Irrigation Items Farm Equipment Westfield 10” auger, 71 Flex King 9 x 6 sweep 2,100 ft. of Texflow 8” Quinstar 35 ft. Fallow ft., pto, good shape plow with pickers aluminum irrigation pipe, Semi-Trailers Master with pickers Westfield 10” auger, 30” gates 1998 Wilson 48 ft.

Hesston 5500 round 61 ft. with swing away 1320 ft. of PVC 8” cattle pot, triple deck baler unloading auger irrigation pipe, 30” Semi flat deck trailer, Schaffer 400 bushel Yetter hydraulic seed gates, good 40 ft. (hay trailer) grain cart vac 8” irrigation pipe Tractors and 2006 Castleton Semi JD 1008 pull type 2- 3,000 gal. cone fittings Forklifts grain trailer 40 ft., roll mower, 10 ft. bottom tip tanks 6-pipe trailers 1961 JD 4020 tractor Flex King 5 x 5 sweep over tarp Hutch grain cleaner Irrigation socks with scoop (needs 1999 Wilson 42 ft. plow with Richardson Several sections of Ford 300 irrigation work) semi grain trailer, air ride, chicken pickers pickers motor 1979 Case 2290 Miller 18 ft. disk, triple roll over tarp Front dozer blade for Electric irrigation tractor, 3 pt. pto Trailers bar Jeep motor 1961 Case 930 2006 Titan enclosed JD 24 ft. field Several saddle tanks Mowers and ATV tractor, duals, pto, cargo trailer, 14 ft., 7,000 and nose tanks conditioner IHC 154 Cub Cadet diesel lb. axles A&L 708 grain cart Allied 580 front end tractor with 60” deck 1979 AC 7000 tractor, Chief 20 ft., enclosed 3 - IHC 10 ft. hoe loader, 7 ft. bucket SRX 95 riding mower, ps., pto, 3pt., cab drills, 12” with transports gooseneck trailer JD grinder mixer 36” deck bagger Hyster 8,000 lb.

Vehicles Shop built, 20 ft.

Buffalo close row JD F525 mower, 48” forklift, hydro, side shift, 1985 Jeep CJ7, gooseneck trailer, 7,000 cultivator, 8-row, deck, hydro large tires 113,000 mi., 6 cylinder, lb. axles guidance system Kawasaki 220 Bayou AC Buda forklift, large 5-spd. trans/., good 16 ft. car trailer 1999 Case IH Model 4-wheeler tires shape 16 ft. car trailer with 955 planter, 16-row, 1999 Kawasaki 400 Cat V50B forklift, 1994 GMC 2500 boat rack fertilizer, monitor, no till 4-wheeler, 4x4 with 5,000 lb. pickup, 6.5 diesel motor, sprayer 1978 Ranco backhoe JD 5 ft. mower, 3 pt.

Trucks 5-spd. trans., 4x4, Hamby tool bar, 8-row trailer Bumper pull camper 1976 Dodge truck, flatbed Shop built fuel trailer, with rod trailer V-8 motor, 5x2-spd.

1990 GMC pickup, V-8 500 gal.

Hamby 20 ft. bar with Shop Items trans., 15.5 ft. bed and corrugators motor, auto.

Wylie 1,600 gal.

Olson metal band saw hoist, tarp 1994 Chevy pickup, nurse trailer, black tank, Other tool bars Lincoln portable pipe 1978 IHC 2574 truck, V-8 motor, auto., topper chemical inductor, 20 ft. packer tandem axle, 10-spd.

1994 Lincoln Town car, line welder Big Ox 8 ft. rear blade, pump, (nice) 3-ton chain hoist trans., 22 ft. bed and 4-dr.

Circle D 16 ft. stock 3 pt.

Floor jacks hoist 1986 Mercury car trailer, full top Flex King 24 ft. rod Valve grinder 1973 Chevy truck 2000 E250 Ford Cargo 1981 Chief 16 ft stock weeder Radial Arm saw C-60, 366 engine, van, 98,000 miles, new trailer, bumper pull, full 10 ft. speed mover Parts washer 5x2-spd. trans., 41,000 tires top JD 686 snow blower, 30 gal. Def. tank miles, 16 ft. bed and 1994 Ford pickup 16 ft. flat deck trailer 3 pt. tire machine hoist, nice Other Farm auto., V-8 motor, 4x4 Land plane, 11 ft. tool boxes 1949 Chevy truck, 12 items 2000 Buick car auto., 2009 JD 568 round Ditto manual ft. bed 500 gal. propane tank 4-door baler, Mega wide, net hosemaker 1954 Ford truck, 12 3 pt. cherry picker 1997 Mercury Grand wrap Lots more items by ft. bed (40) Rubber packer Marquis car, 4-door, 7 ft. mower 3 pt. sale day 1962 IHC truck, 6-cyl. tires for JD 9400 hoe 10,000 miles on fresh JD 400 rotary hoe, 3 2000 JD 9650 combine, 3,050 separator hrs., contour master, lots of recent repairs, shedded 2002 JD 930D draper platform with transports JD 936D pickup reel JD 214 pickup head, single point hook up Gleaner G combine, 20 ft. platform B&B header trailer 30 ft.

Case 1088 corn head 8 row

Consignments accepted until Friday, March 4. All items must be removed by March 25, 2016.

Terms: Must show valid ID to register. Cash or approved check day of sale. No warranties expressed or implied. Everything is sold as is.

Not responsible for theft or accident. Announcements day of sale take precedence. Check us out: www.berningauction.com and facebook