The Scott County Record by The Scott County Record

Ideal weather greets SCHS thinclads in season opening meet Page 19

36 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 21 • Number 35

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

No more tolerance for junk property The Scott City Council has decided to adopt a zero tolerance policy with property that’s considered a “nuisance.” Five locations in the city were targeted for clean-up and received notices from the city. Of those, three have not taken any action to address the council’s concerns. Now those three property owners have one final opportunity before the city takes matters into their own hands. “Nobody requested a hearing,” says City Clerk Brenda

Property Cited by City Council 1524 College: lumber, wire, metal, tires, concrete, masonry products, supplies, equipment, machinery, junk/refuse, dishwasher and water heater. 1513 Myrtle: branches and tree stumps, miscellaneous metal and stripped trailer home frames (bases). 107 Court: tires, fencing supplies, large number of children’s toys, multiple lawn mowers and bicycles.

Davis. She said all five notices had to do with violation of the city ordinance with respect to junk, building materials, etc., on their property. All were given more

than 10 days to take action prior to Monday’s council meeting. Those who have begun clean-up efforts can be granted an extension if they are showing satisfactory progress as de-

DL exams have returned to county treasurer’s office

termined by the public service officer. The three property locations which have shown no progress are cited in public notices appearing in this week’s Record. Those property owners have until April 20 to bring their locations into compliance with city code. “The city crews will begin clean-up as of April 21,” Mayor Dan Goodman said during Monday’s meeting. The city will rent a rolloff

from Northend Disposal for material that can’t be taken to the local landfill. The cost of the rolloff, which was estimated at $500, plus city labor will be added to each individual’s property taxes. “How do we decide what goes and what stays?” asked Public Works Director Mike Todd. He was informed that the items which the city regards as a “nuisance” are listed in each resolution.

pageant rehearsal

The convenience of most driver’s license renewals and initial applications is now available at the Scott County treasurer’s office. After a lengthy delay in order to satisfy the state, the local office can help with all exam procedures with the exception of: •New CDLs (written or driving test). •New motorcycle licenses (written or driving tests). (See DL EXAMS on page two)

Appraiser enters guilty plea; status on county agenda Scott County Appraiser John Reeder has entered a guilty plea to drug charges during an appearance in Trego County district court on Tuesday. Reeder, 52, was sentenced to serve 22 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for marijuana distribution and 15 months for possession of methamphetamines. The judge then suspended the sentence and placed Reeder on 36 months of supervised probation. According to the Kansas Attorney General’s office, the suspended sentence is allowed if the court finds an individual can be admitted to an appropriate treatment program or if “the non-prison sanction will serve the community safety interests by promoting offender reformation.” The conviction stems from an incident and subsequent arrest at Reeder’s residence in WaKeeney on Dec. 20. Reeder had been the appraiser for Trego, Lane and Scott counties.

Cast members in the “Road to Redemption” community Easter pageant (above) perform the Hora dance during a recent rehearsal. (Right) Long-time co-director Gwen Huck makes sure people are in the right place as they prepare to perform a scene. The production will be presented on Good Friday, April 18, starting at about 9:00 p.m., at the south entrance to Lake Scott State Park. Presented every two years, the pageant portrays the time leading up to the birth of Christ through to His resurrection. Admission to the state park is free for those attending the pageant. (Record Photos)

(See APPRAISER on page three)

Area schools gain little in funding Area school districts will not reap a windfall in the Kansas Legislature’s answer to the Supreme Court’s ruling that the state pump additional money into public education. The increase in basic state aid, combined with cuts in funding for at-risk students, will only add an estimated $9,375 to the USD 466 (Scott County) budget for the 2014-15 school year. That projection is based on current enrollment, which is subject to change, and it doesn’t

Basic aid is up only $9,375 in USD 466 include weighting factors for transportation, English as a Second Language students and others which could give an additional bump to state funding. The district could also gain another $24,419 through a local option budget (LOB) increase, which would come from property taxes. Those numbers are based on

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

Local farmer attends international wheat summer in Mexico Page 27

a perfect scenario which Supt. Bill Wilson isn’t expecting as he applies the new formula to the Scott County district. Wilson is far less optimistic when he predicts state assistance for next school year’s budget. “When you look at the at-risk students which have been eliminated from the formula and the

virtual students we’ve lost from our FTE (full-time equivalency) we’re not going to see the $24,000 increase in LOB aid that the state is showing,” says Wilson. Outside of the projected $9,375 increase in basic state aid - which could rise or fall depending on the Sept. 20 head count - Wilson’s preliminary

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-5 Calendar • Page 7 Health • Pages 10-11 LEC report • Page 12 Lawn/Garden • Page 14-15

Deaths • Page 16 Sports • Pages 19-26 Earth Day • Pages 24-25 Farm section • Pages 28-29 Classified ads • Pages 33-35

numbers indicate the district will break even, at best, with all other aspects of the finance formula. Wilson also takes issue with efforts to identify KPERS and special education money as funding for public schools when none of that makes it into the classroom. He points out that the KPERS contribution “is in our budget for a day” and special ed (money) passes through the district to the High Plains (See SCHOOLS on page two)

Local quilters giving back to veterans with year-long project Page 8

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Administrators critical of due process change Stripping the tenure protection from public school teachers may have found narrow support in the Kansas Legislature, but that’s not the case with area school administrators and teachers who are puzzled as to why that provision was included in the school funding plan. In a move by conservative lawmakers, Kansas teachers will no longer get the protection of due process in the funding bill that’s awaiting Gov. Sam

Brownback’s signature. State law has said that a teacher who has been on the job in a district for three years, and signed a contract for a fourth year, is entitled to due process if dismissed. They must be told in writing why they are not being offered a contract and they have the right to challenge the decision, taking the case before a hearing officer. The school funding bill takes away these protections.

Schools Special Education Cooperative. He doesn’t feel the state is providing an accurate picture of money that is actually spent for public education. Wichita County The Wichita County district would appear to benefit most among area schools from the new funding proposal. It would receive an additional $10,802 in basic state aid, but lose more than $4,000 of that in cuts to at-risk funding. That leaves a net gain of just $6,565 in funding. However, the district will receive $65,170 in added LOB aid. This isn’t the result of changes in school funding, but comes about following a recent state audit in which the district gained 16.2 more full-time equivalent (FTE) students than were included in the published budget. The district will gain

rights. This means that when a teacher has worked for a district for three years and is renewed, they have earned the right to a due process hearing. They can’t be non-renewed for any or no reason.” This offers some assurance that a teacher isn’t fired for some arbitrary reason, such as the principal didn’t like them or there was pressure from an angry parent. Scott County Supt. Bill Wil-

son feels that due process was little more than a bargaining chip used by conservative lawmakers who were angry about being ordered by the Kansas Supreme Court to come up with $129 million in new funding for public schools. “The Republican leadership knew they’d have to give up money, so they decided to push through legislation they felt they could get away with,” says (See CHANGE on page 18)

(continued from page one)

authority to increase property taxes by $33,033 through the local option budget (LOB). This money is earmarked for classroom costs. At the same time, the state will provide “LOB aid” which can only be used for property tax reduction. In Wichita County’s situation, that means property taxes will be reduced by $41,128 - or about one-half mill. Supt. Keith Higgins says the district gets about $1 million in funding through property taxes. The amount of projected savings would have a minimal impact on the district’s mill levy. “The additional $33,000 is in LOB authority and the $41,000 in tax relief are better than nothing, but they won’t have a significant impact on our budget,” says Higgins. “Most of what we’re seeing in this finance plan is accounting gimmicks in Topeka.

DL Exams •Renewal of hazmat endorsements. Those exams will have to be done at a regional office. County Treasurer Lark Speer is relieved that they can again provide most services at the courthouse that most people are needing. The treasurer’s office had only been able to provide “simple applications” since last May when a staff shortage in the Kansas Department of Transportation forced the state to quit sending traveling examiners to county offices.

Long-time Scott City Elementary School teacher, and former Scott City Teachers Association (SCTA) President Cheryl Kucharik, feels that tenure is the wrong term to describe the protection which has been available. “Strictly speaking, in Kansas, K-12 teachers never had tenure. Tenure is something college teachers earn,” she points out. “K-12 teachers have had ‘fair dismissal’ or due process

“The legislature is doing an accounting shift. They’re taking from one pot and putting money into another which means little new funding for schools,” Higgins says. Some of this “new money” is the result of cuts in at-risk money which amounts to $8.2 million statewide. That’s only slightly smaller than the $9.5 million that’s raised through a $14 increase in per pupil basic state aid. “It will be interesting to see if the court buys into this.”

go along with a projected $27,287 in additional property tax authority. The basic state aid increase in the Healy district, combined with the loss of at-risk funding, leaves them with a net gain of just $209. The district could also gain another $3,452 through the

higher LOB. “When you spread this amount of money over an entire district’s operations, it doesn’t mean a lot,” says Healy Supt. John LaFave. The state has given school districts the ability to increase their LOB by two percent - to 33 per-

cent of the general fund budget. That would provide a funding boost of about $32,000 for Healy, depending on how much property values fluctuate. “I could see the (school) board increasing their LOB to the max just to give us a little more cushion,” says LaFave.

Lane County Schools The Dighton and Healy school districts will see very little impact from additional state funding. Dighton will gain an estimated $6,501 from an increase in basic state aid, but lose nearly half of that in cuts to at-risk funding. The resulting $3,805 gain in basic state aid will

(continued from page one)

“I know that simple applications are all that are done by most treasurer’s offices, but not being able to provide more services was a huge inconvenience to our customers,” says Speer. “Our public has missed this availability a lot and it has caused additional pressure on the already stressed regional offices.” In order to expand services and satisfy the state, Scott County commissioners agreed to hire Kathy McMillan, a former examiner with KDOT.

“This is a win-win for the people in our area and for the state,” Speer says. Because McMillan is the only individual in the office qualified to perform the higher level applications, Speer says services may not always be available because of sickness or other leave time. She will generally be providing exams Monday through Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m. “But we ask that people call ahead to make sure Kathy is available,” adds Speer.

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

Breakfast specials every night.

The Scott County Record

Community Living

Page 3 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

There is a cost to keeping your possessions No matter how much you think you like something there’s one inescapable fact. There’s a cost to storing possessions that do not benefit our lives. There was a time when I had plenty in storage, but not as much as most as I live in a very small home. It is my goal to dispose of at least one bag of items weekly and I have been doing this since the first of the year. I can honestly say I am possessed with cleaning out the unneeded or unwanted items in my house. Soon I will have gotten rid of all my pots and pans and will no longer have to cook dinner - just kidding.

My children have banned me from their rooms, but that’s okay, I have other areas that I can focus on. Let us do some simple math to determine what you spend a month for storing items you don’t use or don’t even know you have. First, add up all the expenses that you have associated with your home monthly. This might be a mortgage payment,

all utilities, taxes and any others. Then take those costs and divide it by the square footage of your home. Now you have the cost of storage per square foot. Determine how much square footage you devote to storage. Include rooms, closets and other spots where you have crammed stuff. Take the square footage cost times your storage square footage. Now you have the cost of storage If you rent a storage unit, add that to your monthly cost. The overall cost might surprise you. If you already own your home the cost might

Sorority hears update on WKCAC

Alpha Omega Sorority was told about the services provided by the Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center during their March 14 meeting. Vicki Hubin, program coordinator, also informed the group about the annual Diamonds and Champagne fundraiser. She shared what the organization and community can do to help with supplies and support throughout the year. Afterwards, the regu-

Harp to celebrate 80th birthday

The family of Emogene Harp, Scott City, will honor her with a card shower for her 80th birthday. Birthday wishes and memories can be sent to Emogene at 1411 Church St., Scott City, Ks. 67871.

lar meeting resumed with Barb Summers the host and Wanda Barton cohostess. Roll call was answered by, “What is your favorite spring break destination?” There were 12 members present. Following the reading of the February minutes and the “Day of Love,” there was discussion about the four-ball golf tournament on July 19. It was reported that Whimmydiddle applica-

tions are in. The Awards Committee gave points for the Pheasants Forever banquet and the First National Bank dinner. There was also discussion about helping a sister in need. The Nominating Committee will present a new slate of officers at the April meeting. The state convention will be April 25-27. Next meeting is April 10 at Kate Macy’s home.

not be as much, but if you didn’t own all the stored items, could you live in a smaller home that would cost less per month and allow your savings to last longer or allow you to go on some nice vacation? If you are paying a mortgage, you might rethink what you devote to storage costs and use that space for something more entertaining for you and your family. Don’t forget the storage shed. You do pay taxes on it yearly. Storage units should only be rented to store costly items such as boats or cars, not boxes of stuff that you are living without on a daily basis. They

really should only be temporary storage for household items. What kinds of items should you keep and should you part with? Well, that is up to you. If it’s something that you often use, keep it. If it brings you enjoyment, keep it. If it’s something you received as a gift and do not care for, part with it. If you don’t know why you have kept something and when you will use it, part with it. And, don’t keep all your kids treasures without asking them if they want yours too. They might care less about what you think they

Appraiser

want kept and all you have done is wasted space. If you have to keep copies of all their grade cards, scan them and save them to a computer. Remember to donate any unwanted usable items. Don’t pass down or pass off anything that you want to keep, to someone else to store for you. If you want it, you keep it or part with it, it’s that simple. So, says the lady with lots of pots and pans. Call me if you have any questions, but please, don’t bring me anything you don’t want, with the exception of cotton fabric (I use it for the afterschool sewing program).

(continued from page one)

Trego County commisJohn and Lisa Reeder sioners had terminated are currently in the second their contract with Reeder, year of a four-year conbut that decision is being tract with Scott County. appealed by Reeder. According to Com-

mission Chairman Jim Minnix they will be meeting on April 15 and will evaluate Reeder’s status as the appraiser.

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

editorially speaking

Teacher tenure:

Ending due process fixes a non-existent problem

The Kansas Legislature seemingly enjoys finding solutions to problems that don’t exist. They did so by enacting a voter ID law aimed at eliminating the voter fraud epidemic which was occurring at the rate of seven cases over a five year period (2005-09) with only one of those prosecuted. Scandalous. Now legislators have shoved an amendment into the school finance bill that eliminates tenure protection for teachers who have been employed by the same district for more than three years. Yes, if you want to get to the biggest issue in public education (beyond the refusal of conservative Republicans to provide adequate funding) it’s the overwhelming number of bad teachers that districts can’t rid themselves of because of that darned tenure law. Are there poor teachers? Sure there are. Just as there are poor school administrators, poor police officers, poor newspaper editors and poor legislators. Tenure, however, isn’t the problem and eliminating tenure isn’t the solution. The vast majority of school administrators will agree. State law says that after three years on the job, a teacher who’s facing dismissal must be told why in writing and has the right to challenge the decision and have a hearing officer review the case. It’s called due process. In the eyes of some conservatives that’s pretty radical stuff. The school funding bill strips teachers of these rights, but to what purpose? If a teacher isn’t performing well in the classroom, districts already have the tools to remedy the situation. They can put into effect a mentoring program to assist the teacher or, if necessary, they can fire a tenured teacher. Yes, contrary to often misleading information it is possible to fire an underperforming teacher. It simply means that the administration must do its homework and document the reasons why, which would be addressed during a due process hearing. This isn’t radical thinking . . . except to those who are anti-labor and anti-individual rights. Elimination of tenure protection is simply another effort by the right wing of the Republican party to force their agenda. They were successful in sliding an unnecessary amendment into a school finance bill that needed to be passed in the wee hours of the morning. If a change in the tenure law was necessary it should be able to pass on its own merits. It couldn’t, but thanks to an anti-labor viewpoint in Kansas it appears that tenure protection is being stripped away from educators. How does this help education? Don’t ask.

End exemption:

IRS needs to enforce its tax codes as written

Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts has joined the chorus of Republicans who object to efforts by the IRS to restrict those organizations which are currently getting 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status. Roberts and his Republican colleagues in the House and Senate see efforts by IRS Commissioner John Koskinen as part of a larger plot to limit free speech by conservative groups. Naturally, conservatives enjoy playing the victim card whenever possible. The fact is the IRS is feeling pressure from some lawmakers to enforce the law as it’s actually written. As originally written, the tax law requires 501(c)(4) organizations to operate “exclusively” to promote the “public welfare.” In 1959, the IRS edited their tax codes so that organizations can “mostly” promote the public welfare. This loophole has allowed certain organizations to spend up to 49% of their budgets on partisan political ads while still maintaining their tax-exempt status. It also allows them to keep their donors secret. Sen. Roberts says that enforcing the law as it was originally written will “limit free speech” and allow the Obama Administration to use the IRS to shut down its critics and opponents. Roberts, of course, is only repeating what he’s told to say by the rich and powerful groups (i.e., Koch brothers, Karl Rove, etc.) who have benefitted greatly from the loophole. Enforcing the law as it was written and intended will not limit free speech. There is no evidence that free speech was enjoyed any less in 1958 than it was after the IRS change in 1959. This is a matter of making sure those who get tax-exempt status deserve the privilege, regardless of political party.

Ignorance is the GOP’s friend

You may be familiar with the Michigan woman who was the “star” of a Koch brothers anti-Obamacare commercial who said she “was doing fairly well fighting the cancer, fighting the leukemia, and then I received a letter. My insurance was canceled because of Obamacare. Now, the out-of-pocket costs are so high, it’s unaffordable.” Unfortunately, the only thing that was true about Julie Boonstra’s claim is that she is fighting leukemia. Thanks to Obamacare, she now has a health insurance plan that has reduced her out-of-pocket costs by $1,200 a year and her annual premiums by $6,400. The maximum that Boonstra will pay for health insurance (i.e., cancer treatment) is $11,952 per year. A great deal, right? Just don’t tell Boonstra, who confidently declared that the savings “can’t be true.” “I personally do not believe that,” Boonstra said. What’s mind-boggling about this story is that

even when presented with the hard numbers . . . you know, math . . . Boonstra would rather believe the propaganda that has been spewed non-stop by far too many Republicans and Fox News. Even when they’re wrong, they’re still right, in the mind of Boonstra. This isn’t an isolated instance. We can stay right here in Scott County and find a similar instance involving an individual (true story) who had no insurance and needs surgery, but couldn’t afford to have the procedure because she didn’t have the $8,000 advance payment that was required. She’s in her late 40s, has a part-time job and doesn’t qualify for health insurance through her employer. “So I had to sign up for Obamacare,” she told a friend. She didn’t make that

admission out of relief but out of anger. She was being “forced” to sign up for health insurance she couldn’t otherwise afford which would allow her to have surgery that otherwise wouldn’t happen. There were no medical questions and no threat of refusal for preexisting conditions. For $70 a month she can now get the surgery that she needs. At $70 a month, it will be 9-1/2 years before this individual pays the $8,000 that was going to be required of her before Obamacare. And she won’t have to wait 9-1/2 years for the operation. Without Obamacare, had her health eventually reached the point that surgery was unavoidable, her response was “the hospital will have to write me off.” That’s apparently what Congressman Tim Heulskamp means when he says “there’s free health care all over the place.” Despite what Obamacare means to her personally, this individual was still resentful. So is it the idea of in-

surance that people resent, or that Obama is behind it? The answer to that may be found in Kentucky which voted for Mitt Romney in the last presidential election, 60-38. Hardly a blue state. Nonetheless, more than 370,000 Kentucky residents have signed up for Kynect, the state’s health insurance program. The number of uninsured Kentucky residents has been reduced by 40 percent. It’s proof that, when given an option, Kentucky residents (and probably many other people around the country) will sign up for a health insurance plan as long as it’s not Obamacare complete with its death panels and socialist strings attached. During the Kentucky State Fair there was a booth where people could learn more about Kynect. One man, who was impressed with what he was hearing, muttered to one of the workers, “This beats Obamacare, I hope.” Well, not exactly. It was Obamacare. (See FRIEND on page six)

Health care compact reckless

Kansas senior citizens need to rise up and demand that Gov. Sam Brownback veto a bill that could put the state in charge of Medicare. And during elections later this year, seniors - and other voters - should hold lawmakers accountable for supporting such a radical reform. The issue is that serious, and the recklessness that unacceptable. With all the focus this past weekend on the school-funding debate, many people may not realize that the Legislature also approved a bill to have Kansas join a compact of states seeking to exempt themselves from federal health care rules. House Bill 2553 would give the state all of the federal funding for the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health

Where to Write

another view by Phillip Brownlee

Insurance Program and grant the state full authority to determine how that money is spent and which rules, regulations and policies are followed. Initially, the bill was dismissed by many observers as yet more GOP grandstanding against Obamacare. It also wasn’t taken too seriously because Congress must approve the compact, and that won’t happen with the U.S. Senate controlled by Democrats. But given the strong possibility that Republicans will gain full control of Congress after the November elections, this issue is no longer just benign political posturing: It’s a real and present danger.

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

Rep. Jim Ward (D-Wichita) offered an amendment to exclude Medicare from the compact, but House members - all Republicans - rejected it. Not only that, some argued that seniors would be better off if Kansas controlled Medicare. “The health care compact helps to protect the future of Medicare,” said Rep. Brett Hildabrand (R-Shawnee). Seriously? Has he tried renewing a driver’s license or registering to vote in Kansas? KanCare can’t even pay doctors and hospitals on time. What type of new bureaucracy would the state need to manage Medicare? What would be the rules? Would seniors continue to receive the prescription-drug benefits that are part of the ACA (which so far have saved

Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4774 roberts.senate.gov/email.htm

Kansans on Medicare nearly $94 million)? What happens if there is another economic downturn and the state is short of money? The fact is, lawmakers have no idea how the compact, which was cooked up by an out-ofstate group, would work. “It could jeopardize the coverage and benefits that seniors have come to count on,” Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger warned - to no avail. And it’s not only seniors who could be affected. So would some Kansans with disabilities and children. And even though the bill excludes military health care, most veterans who are 65 and older get their primary health care through Medicare. (See RECKLESS on page six)

Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6521 www.house.gov/moranks01/

The best free speech that money can buy

The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

by E.J. Dionne, Jr.

An oligarchy, Webster’s dictionary tells us, is “a form of government in which the ruling power belongs to a few persons.” It’s a shame that the Republican majority on the Supreme Court doesn’t know the difference between an oligarchy and a democratic republic. Yes, I said “the Republican majority,” violating a nicety based on the pretense that when people reach the high court, they forget their party allegiance. We need to stop peddling this fiction. On cases involving the right of Americans to vote and the ability of a very small number of very rich people to exercise unlimited influence on the political process, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and his four allies always side with the

wealthy, the powerful and the forces that would advance the political party that put them on the court. The ideological overreach that is wrecking our politics is now also wrecking our jurisprudence. The court’s latest ruling in McCutcheon et al. v. Federal Election Commission should not be seen in isolation. (The “et al.,” by the way, refers to the Republican National Committee.) It is yet another act of judicial usurpation by five justices who treat the elected branches of our government with contempt and precedent as meaningless. If Congress tries to contain the power of the rich, the Roberts Court will slap it in the face. And if Congress tries to guarantee the voting rights of minorities, the Roberts Court will slap it in the face again. Notice how these actions

Combine McCutcheon with the decision in the Citizens United case and you can see that the court is systematically transferring more power to a tiny, privileged sliver of our people.

work in tandem to make the wealthy more powerful and those who have suffered oppression and discrimination less powerful. You don’t need much imagination to see who benefits from what the court is doing. Roberts’s McCutcheon ruling obliterates long-standing rules that limit the aggregate amounts of money the super-rich can contribute to various political candidates and committees in any one election cycle. In 2012, individuals could give no more than a total of $70,800 to all political committees and no more than $46,200 to all federal candidates. The rule is based on a politi-

cal reality Roberts sweeps aside with faux naivete: Access and power come not just from relationships with individual members of Congress but from strong links to party leaders and party structures. Someone who helps a party keep its majority by contributing to 200 or 300 candidates and Lord knows how many political committees will have a lot more power than you will if you make a $25 contribution in a congressional race. Roberts writes as if he is defending the First Amendment rights of all of us. But how many people are really empowered by this decision? According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 1,715 donors gave the maximum amount to party committees in 2012, and 591 gave the maximum amount to federal candidates. The current estimate

of the population of the United States stands at more than 317 million. Those using the word “oligarchy” to describe the political regime the Supreme Court is creating are not doing so lightly. Combine McCutcheon with the decision in the Citizens United case and you can see that the court is systematically transferring more power to a tiny, privileged sliver of our people. I keep emphasizing the word “power” because the Roberts decision pretends that the concept is as distant from this issue as Pluto is from Earth. The philosopher Michael Walzer, in his book “Spheres of Justice,” made the essential distinction: “Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly: none of these require money payments; none of them are available at auction; they are simply guaranteed to (See MONEY on page six)

Republicans can kiss votes from women good-bye by Dana Milbank

How simple is Rep. Paul Ryan?

by Jim Hightower

My guess is that Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican Party’s highly-touted budget guru, doesn’t have a very tight grip on the concept of irony. Otherwise, why would he choose April Fool’s Day to release the latest version of what the GOP intends to do to federal programs (and to the people who count on them) if it takes total control of Congress? But there he was on April 1, declaring with a straight face that, “We (Republicans) believe that we owe it to the country to offer an alternative to the status quo. It’s just that simple.” Sure it’s simple. He just Xeroxes the same stale budgetary flim flams

that he always puts out, even though the public keeps upchucking at the sight of them. Ryan’s “alternative” to the status quo is the status quo ante, taking Americans back to the harsh days before there were any programs to help unemployed, elderly, sick and other people in need. Ryan turns Medicare into a “We don’t care” privatized program, and, he wants to outright pull the plug on the new health care law that extends coverage to millions of people, replacing it with . . . nothing. Hey, it’s just that simple! His budget scheme also slashes job training, education, infrastructure repairs, medical research, public broadcasting, the arts, and . . . well,

pretty much anything that regular people need. Still, he claims that he’s “helping” people - in an ideological, Republicany way. For example, Ryan explains that whacking food stamps “empowers recipients to get off the aid rolls and back on the payrolls.” What payrolls, you ask? That’s not my problem, says the guy drawing $174,000 a year and a gold package of benefits from the government he pretends to despise. Yeah, let ‘em eat right wing ideology! I wish it was an April Fool’s joke - but Ryan’s joke is on us.

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

This is the real GOP budget This week, the House of Representatives will vote on the Republican budget, presented by Republican Budget Chair Paul Ryan (as well as alternatives from the Democratic leadership, the Congressional Progressive Caucus “Better Off Budget,” the right-wing Republican Study Group budget and Congressional Black Caucus). Republicans are reportedly lined up to vote for the Ryan budget, with the exception of a handful that think it is not extreme enough. The budget, of course, is dead on arrival in the Senate. So this is a message statement, a voluntary vote to let Americans know where Republicans stand. As Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), the chief deputy majority whip, stated, “This is now viewed as something that identifies who we are. It’s strongly identified with [House Republicans]. It’ll pass.” This “identifies who we are.” So who are they? In brief summation, the Ryan budget is a remarkably disingenuous document. Its authors

behind the headlines by Robert Borsage

claim to be putting the “tough choices” before voters. But it identifies the taxes that Republicans would cut, but not the loopholes they would close or the taxes they would raise to pay for the cuts as promised. It identifies the savings that they would create, but not the programs that they would cut in order to achieve them. Even with that, the Republican budget does identify “who we are,” what they value, what their priorities are. These are unsurprising but remarkably unconscionable. The budget that Republicans will choose to vote for will . . . Cut taxes on the rich The Citizens for Tax Justice estimates that even if Republicans eliminated every loophole claimed by the wealthy, lowering the top rates to 25 percent will still hand million-

aires an average tax cut of $200,000 a year.

Cut taxes on multinationals It would lower the top rate of corporate taxes. But most important it calls for moving toward a territorial system for taxing multinationals which in essence turns the entire world outside the US into a tax haven where corporations can move jobs and report profits without having to pay US taxes. Hike spending on the Pentagon The Pentagon is slated to spend $6 trillion over the next decade, with annual spending up at the end of the current five-year plan up 27 percent over 2001 in constant dollars. Republicans argue that is not enough, adding nearly $500 billion over the 10 years over sequestration levels (about $273 billion higher than President Obama’s budget). This will pay for policing the world; it does not include the costs of the wars that inevitably result from that policing. (See BUDGET on page six)

This was not the way Republican leaders had planned to observe Equal Pay Day. On the eve of Tuesday’s commemoration the day symbolizing how far into 2014 women must work to catch up to the wages men earned in 2013 - a small newspaper in Louisiana, the Ouachita Citizen, reported that its congressman, Republican Rep. Vance McAllister, had been videotaped making out with a low-paid staffer. McAllister, called the “Duck Dynasty” congressman because of his defense of the Robertson family’s Christian values, issued a statement asking for forgiveness from God, his family, his staff and constituents, and he declared that he still plans to run for reelection. And the woman, a part-timer paid less than $22,000 a year who also received $300 from McAllister to clean out his campaign office? She was terminated as the story broke, the congressman’s chief of staff told another Louisiana paper. It takes chutzpah to observe Equal Pay Day by sacking the low-wage employee you’ve been snogging. Thus did Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, find himself fielding a question about McAllister at a news conference that was meant to highlight the party’s pro-women efforts. “I’m glad he issued an apology,” Cantor said, reserving further judgment on whether the kissing congressman, who has been in office for less than five months, should quit. Republicans aren’t responsible for McAllister any more than Democrats are to blame for Anthony Weiner’s weirdness. But for Republicans, who have a big disadvantage among unmarried women, this reinforces a perception. The Democrats’ accusation of a GOP “war on women” sticks not because of what Democrats say but because of what Republicans do - and the big problems aren’t personal pratfalls but rather public policy. In his news conference, Cantor repeatedly called on Democrats to “put the politics aside” and talk with Republicans about “things that we can do together, things that disproportionately impact women, without playing politics.” In the Senate, where Democrats were daring Republicans to vote against equal-pay legislation, Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who is likely to face a female Democratic challenger in November, told Democrats to drop “all the show votes.” Democrats are indeed making partisan attempts to embarrass Republicans on issues important to women. The coordinated actions being taken, including President Obama’s signing of executive orders Tuesday to expose pay disparities by gender among federal contractors, are largely symbolic. The disparity is stubborn. According to the American Enterprise Institute, the 229 women who work in the White House are paid 88 cents on the dollar compared with the 232 men who do, a finding not disputed by the administration. But when one side complains that the other is “playing politics,” it’s a safe bet that those doing the complaining are losing. Cantor and McConnell don’t seem to grasp that the waron-women accusations aren’t made in a vacuum; they gain traction because of proposals Republicans are advancing. (See WOMEN on page six)

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Controversial elements in ed funding plan

A proposal to provide more money for Kansas public schools has now been passed, having been adopted by the House late Sunday evening with 63 affirmative votes, the minimum number needed for passage. I voted no, for reasons I will explain. It had earlier been voted out of the Senate with 22 “yes” votes - one more than required. The measure, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2506, provides roughly $129 million in funding to meet the “equity” requirement of the recent Supreme Court

Legislative Update Rep. Don Hineman 118th District

school funding decision. I believe this will satisfy the court; however I must admit to being somewhat apprehensive about their response. One of the “pay-fors” in new funding was the elimination of one form of at-risk weighting. An argument could be made that eliminating that weighting will disadvantage the students and

No GOP presidential candidate worth buying by Andy Borowitz

LAS VEGAS (The Borowitz Report) - The casino billionaire and Republican kingmaker Sheldon Adelson met several 2016 GOP candidates available for purchase over the weekend, but decided to buy none of them, Adelson confirmed today. After hearing speeches by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and several others who were for sale, Adelson concluded that none of them are worth owning. “I don’t want to spend millions on another loser,” said Adelson, who purchased both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in 2012. The casino magnate was scathing in his assessment of the candidates he declined to buy, calling them “a third-rate grab bag of has-beens and dimwits.” “I guess the Republican Party is thinking, Here comes crazy old Sheldon, he’ll blow his money on the first washed-out wingnut we throw out there,” Adelson said. “Well, guess again.” Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

Reckless This bill is not the serious, careful policymaking that is necessary when dealing with the lives and well-being of vulnerable citizens. Kansans have put up with a lot with these lawmakers. This time they’ve gone too far. Phillip Brownlee is on the editorial board for The Wichita Eagle

(continued from page four)

Contact Gov. Sam Brownback and tell him to veto House Bill 2553, the health care compact bill. By mail: Office of the Governor, Capitol, 300 S.W. 10th Ave., Suite 241S, Topeka, KS 66612-1590 By phone: 877-579-6757 or 785-296-3232; for hearingimpaired: 800-766-3777 Online: https://governor. ks.gov/serving-kansans/constituent-services/legislation-andpolicy-issues

Money

(continued from page five)

every citizen. . . . Quick access to large audiences is expensive, but that is another matter, not of freedom itself but of influence and power.” In his McCutcheon opinion, Roberts piously declares: “There is no right more basic in our democracy than the right to participate in electing our political leaders.” This lovely commitment escaped him entirely last summer when he and his allies threw out Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. Suddenly, efforts to protect the right of minorities “to participate in electing our political leaders” took second place behind all manner of worries about how Congress had constructed the law. The decision unleashed a frenzy in Republicancontrolled states to pass laws that make it harder for African Americans, Latinos and poor people to vote. Thus has this court conferred on wealthy people the right to give vast sums of money to politicians while undercutting the rights of millions of citizens to cast a ballot. Send in the oligarchs. E.J. Dionne, Jr., is a political commentator and long-time oped columnist for the Washington Post

Have questions about the Scott Community Foundation? call 872-3790 or e-mail: alli@scottcf.org

school districts that the weighting was designed to help, thereby creating a new source of inequity. Additionally, the bill provides flexibility for all school districts to increase their Local Option Budget (LOB), if they wish. The problem is that a LOB increase means higher property taxes. Some wealthy districts will jump at the chance to increase their LOB while some poorer districts may feel they simply can’t afford the additional tax load. Doesn’t this also create an issue of inequity?

Controversial Additions Even with those two potential problems, I was solidly in favor of passing the funding portion of the bill. However it also contained some policy proposals which I view as quite problematic. My stand against them is amplified because of the questionable process in which they were included in the bill. These are very controversial policy pieces that were stuck in the bill without having gone through the committee hearing process. The legislature was asked to pass

Friend Kentucky’s governor (a Democrat) was astutely aware that Obamacare could work in his state, but the branding had been pretty badly mangled by Republicans. He offered the same program with different packaging and the people apparently liked what they saw. But, had they been told afterwards it was really Obamacare they had signed up for there would

(continued from page four)

likely have been echoes of Boonstra saying it “can’t be true.” The trick is in getting people to hear beyond the rhetoric and make a decision about what’s best for them and their family. The Koch brothers, Karl Rove, Fox News, Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Pat Roberts don’t care whether the family making $20,000 a year can’t afford health insurance. It has no bearing on their lives at all when

Women Consider Paul Ryan’s budget, which the House is debating this week. Among those functions of government the Republican congressman from Wisconsin would cut, many disproportionately benefit women, according to the National Women’s Law Center. For example, Medicaid (about 70 percent of adult recipients are women), food stamps (63 percent of adult recipients are women) and Pell grants (62 percent) would be cut. Then there are programs in categories that would

Budget Repeal Obamacare The Republican budget repeals Obamacare without replacing it. It would turn Medicare into a voucher of declining value - known as a “premium” - for today’s 55-year-olds and younger. It would gut Medicaid, repealing the Obamacare expansion, turning it into a block grant and cutting it by a quarter by 2024. Private insurance companies will ration health care by the ability to pay. Cut domestic investments The Republican budget cuts domestic programs by a staggering one-third compared to inflation adjusted levels over the next decade. This includes aid for schools, Head

year probationary period. Even though Kansas is an employment-at-will state, the due process statute lays out a hearing and appeals process for non-probationary teachers who have had their employment terminated. Sub for HB 2506 would remove that due process protection for K-12 teachers. While I have some problems with the current statute, I would have favored a full examination Due Process Current Kansas stat- of the issue rather than a ute provides due process total elimination of due for teachers once they process. have completed a three(See FUNDING on page 7) these measures without a complete understanding of the pros and cons. They were inserted as pet projects of certain legislators into a funding bill that everyone agreed had to be adopted. That happened because those legislators, and everyone else, knew they could not pass as stand-alone legislation. That is very poor public policy.

someone has to declare bankruptcy because of huge medical bills. They can make misleading statements about Obamacare and pay no consequence because they’ve done such an effective job of selling their brand of propaganda. Kentucky residents showed what can happen when preconceived rhetoric is not part of the equation. Unfortunately, conservative Republicans

in our state legislatures and in Congress know that their strongest ally is an ignorant public. As Jack Nicholson declared in “A Few Good Men” when sitting at the witness stand, “You can’t handle the truth.” The problem for too many people is that they don’t want to know the truth. Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

(continued from page five)

face cuts Ryan hasn’t specified: Supplemental Security Income (twothirds of the poor and elderly recipients are women), welfare (85 percent of adult recipients are women), housing vouchers (82 percent of recipient households headed by women), child-care assistance (75 percent femaleheaded households) and the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. By contrast, government payments that go disproportionately to men - active-duty military and veterans - are

relatively untouched. The highest earners, who are disproportionately male, benefit most under Ryan’s tax proposal, while those receiving low-income tax credits, often families headed by women, would fare poorly. Certainly, it doesn’t help the Republican image when Michael Hayden, who was CIA director during the George W. Bush administration, attempts to discredit Dianne Feinstein, the earnest and steady chair of the Senate intelligence committee, as “emotional.”

Neither does it help when Breitbart News, a conservative outlet, runs ads featuring Nancy Pelosi’s head on an image of a woman twerking. Or when McAllister marks Equal Pay Day by firing the staffer he kissed. But the indignities visited on a few women wouldn’t be a problem for Republicans if millions of other women weren’t also threatened with injury by the clinical language of a budget resolution. Dana Milbank is a Washington Post staff writer and author

(continued from page five)

Start, child nutrition, roads and bridges, water systems, border security, the FBI, environmental protection and more. In relation to the size of our economy, spending levels would end up at about half where they were under Ronald Reagan. Republicans will not specify where the cuts come from, which is just as well, since it is inconceivable that they will take place. Vulnerable at risk Even while cutting taxes on the rich and the multinationals, the Republican budget would slash support for the most vulnerable - Pell grants, Supplemental Nutrition, housing, home heating, child care, and more

would be rolled back. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that fully 69 percent of the Republican budget cuts are taken from the poorest and most vulnerable Americans. But of course, poor people don’t contribute to campaigns or hire lobbyists.

and cripple the economy. Its tax cuts will add to Gilded Age inequality. Its Big Oil agenda continues to ignore catastrophic climate change. Its numbers don’t add up. Its claim to balance the budget in a decade depends on funny money - assuming faster growth, keeping Obamacare’s tax revenue while repealing its benefits, etc. But put the disagreements aside. Simply accept Republicans at their word: This is who they are. These are their values. These are the priorities that they choose to endorse. And then pray for the future of this country.

This is who they are House Republicans will line up to pass this budget. At the same time, they will not even allow a vote on raising the minimum wage or extending unemployment benefits to the long-term unemployed. There are many things wrong with the Borosage is founder Republican budget. Its Robert and president of the Institute austerity will cost jobs for America’s Future

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Funding It is unclear whether this eliminates due process for current teachers or whether it only applies to newly-hired teachers. Also, some districts, including Shawnee Mission, include due process provision in their teacher contracts. Are these invalidated now, or do they still stand? If so, we may see pressure on school districts throughout the state to adopt due process in their contracts. That would entail a great deal of time, trouble and expense on the part of school boards. One has to wonder if that isn’t the reason a statewide statutory due process for teachers was first adopted back in 1957.

(continued from page six)

Alternative Certification Sub for HB 2506 provides a mechanism whereby individuals who have not completed traditional teacher career-path training may become certified to teach in Kansas schools. I approve of efforts to provide alternative certification, as rural Kansas schools often find it difficult to locate and hire teachers in certain fields, most often science and math. However I believe it was unnecessary to include this provision in the bill, as the State Board of Education understands the need and has been working on alternative certification for quite some time. Enacting this

provision in statute could public education. It seems the folks who actually be a usurpation of that board’s constitutional wrote the Kansas conduties. stitution agree with that point of view. Article 6 Corporate Scholarships of the Constitution says: This is an issue that “No religious sect or sects I can never agree to. I shall control any part of understand that part of the the public educational objective is to encourage funds.” additional competition in The legislature is now education, and I support on spring break until April that concept as we search 30 when we will return for ways to provide the to Topeka for the wrapbest possible education at up session. If things go the least possible cost. smoothly we could reach But it is simply not final adjournment by May equitable to provide pub9. If we hit any snags I lic funding for private expect a May 16 finish. education via institutions that do not have to fol- Rep. Don Hineman can low the same regulations be reached at Room 50A, and guidelines as public State Capitol Building, 300 SW 10th Street, Topeka, schools. I firmly believe Ks. 66612; phone: 785-296that public funds must be 7636; e-mail: don.hineman@ dedicated exclusively to house.ks.gov

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SCHS Var. Boys Tennis @ Hays, 1:00 p.m.

Thursday

Friday

HS FFA Dist. Livestock HS State large group @ SCCC SCHS Site Council, 7:00 a.m. SCHS Var. Tennis @ Ellsworth, 3:00 p.m.

SCHS Baseball @ Liberal, 4:00 p.m.

SCHS 9-10 Track @ Goodland, 4:45 p.m. Attend the church of your choice.

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SCHS Var. Golf @ Buffalo Dunes, 9:00 a.m.

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Saturday

No School “Road to Redemption” Easter pageant @ Lake Scott State Park, 9:00 p.m.

SCHS Var.Track @ Bethany College, 4:00 p.m.

SCHS Softball @ SWHts, 4:00 p.m.

Al-Anon meeting @ Community Christian SCHS JV Golf @ Lakin, 3:00 .m. Church, 6:30 p.m. SCHS Var. Boys Tennis @ WaKeeney, 3:00 p.m.

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The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Quilts are bound for veterans at Ft. Dodge They jokingly refer to themselves as the Quilting Campers. It’s a loose-knit organization that has no requirement except one - a love of quilting. While the Scott City women gather routinely to quilt and visit they readily acknowledge that it helps if they have a particular purpose behind their quilting. “One time Larry Murphy was talking about the Veterans for Life motorcycle ride and that this year would be the tenth one,” says Dana Pfanenstiel. “We got to thinking that this would be a good project, so we’ve been making quilts that will be donated to the old soldiers in June. “We all enjoy quilting, but we wanted to do

something more,” explains Barb Dickhut. The quilting project began last June and, so far, the group of about a half dozen quilters has completed over 20 quilts to be donated. “We were hoping to have a quilt for every soldier staying at the Ft. Dodge home, but we’re not going to get that done,” says Dickhut, noting that about 55 veterans are in the home’s longterm care facility. In addition to their regular gatherings, and working on quilts at home, the group had a three-day Quilt Campers who have spent the last year making patriotic quilts to be donated to soldiers at Ft. quilting retreat in FebruDodge are (front) Dana Pfanenstiel and (left to right) Linda Tilton, Cricket Turley, Barbara Dickhut and ary at Camp Lakeside, Carol Schmidt. (Record Photo) Lake Scott State Park. The full-sized quilts which is an out-of-pocket financial donations can be With more than six “We will see how many aren’t cheap. It’s esti- expense. made to the group through weeks until the veterans more we can get done bemated that it costs about Donations of entire the Scott Community ride, the group has no in- tween now and June 1,” $150 to make each quilt, quilts will be accepted or Foundation. tention of slowing down. adds Linda Tilton.

“Quilts for Fort Dodge Veterans” You can help with donations of: Fabric: donations of completed patriotic quilts or just the pieced top and backing. Requested size is at least 55x65 inches, but no bigger than 60x80 inches. Time: Help at group sew days or donate longarm quilting services (contact for date and times). Money: to purchase quilt fabric, backing and batting.

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The Scott County Record

Youth/Education

Page 9 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

Financial aid top $3M at GCCC

Vicky Ruiz takes advantage of the study space for teenagers only at the Scott County Library. (Record Photo)

Tech Cafe´ is now open to teens at Scott Co. Library

Vicky Ruiz likes going to the Scott County Library where she has access to a computer and doesn’t have to worry about being disturbed. “I come here to do my homework,” says the Scott City Middle School seventh grader. However, that sometimes meant competing for computer time with younger kids who had already gained access to them in order to play games. At the same time, these same teenagers didn’t have access to computers in the media

room because that area is limited to those 18-years and older. The new Teen Tech Cafe´ has addressed that problem. Now teenagers have their own study area, complete with three laptop computers, in a corner that’s brightly lit by huge windows on the north side of the library. “And kids who have homework to do are given priority over those kids who are just wanting to play games,” says Millie Dearden, children’s programming and young adult librarian.

School Calendar Fri., April 11: SCHS varsity golf at Lakin, 1:00 p.m.; SCHS varsity tennis at Cimarron, 3:00 p.m.; SCHS baseball at Holcomb, 4:00 p.m. Sat., April 12: ACT testing at SCHS, 8:00 a.m.; SCHS forensics at Quinter; SCHS junior/senior prom. Mon., April 14: SCHS forensics at Bucklin; SCHS varsity golf at Buffalo Dunes, 9:00 a.m.; SCHS varsity tennis at Hays, 1:00 p.m.; SCHS 9-10 grade track at Goodland, 4:45 p.m.; BOE meeting, 7:00 p.m. Tues., April 15: Science state assessments for juniors; SCHS varsity golf at Goodland, 2:00 p.m.; SCHS JV tennis at Liberal, 3:00 p.m.; SCHS JV golf at Lakin, 3:00 p.m.; SCHS varsity tennis at WaKeeney, 3:00 p.m.; SCHS baseball at Liberal, 4:00 p.m.; SCHS softball vs SW Hts. (H), 4:00 p.m.; Pre-school Parents as Educators Literacy Night, 6:00 p.m. Wed., April 16: SCHS site council meeting, 7:00 a.m.; science state assessments for juniors.

The project was made possible through Mary Dornbos memorial donations and a grant from the Scott Community Foundation Dornbos memorials were used to purchase two bistro tables and six chairs. The Foundation grant assisted in the purchase of three laptops. In addition, there are three abstract paintings by Audra Winter that decorate the west wall. “We wanted to do something for our young adults in order to provide them their own space,”

says Dearden. “We feel that we’d lost some of those kids because it was so difficult for them to gain access to the computers. Hopefully, this will bring them back. “We’ve only been set up for a couple of weeks, but the word is getting out.” Dearden says they hope to continue expanding the Teen Tech Cafe´ by purchasing an additional table, chairs and laptops. “The memorial donations and the community foundation were great resources in order for us to get this started,” she adds.

Between February 21 and March 18, Garden City Community College students have received over $3 million in federal grants, state aid, third-party payers, GCCC Endowment and outside scholarships, and student loans to pay for their education for the spring 2014 semester. According to statistics released by GCCC financial aid director Kathy Blau, 95 percent of firsttime, full-time, degreeseeking students received grants, scholarships, or work study assistance while attending the local college. “By far, the nationally known Pell Grant leads the list as the single most utilized form of financial aid,” said Blau. Students qualified for over $1,3 million in Pells for this spring semester. Scholarships and grants-in-aid which covers books and tuition came in second with over $584,000 in the form of academic and performance (athletic, theater, journalism, meats judging, etc.) scholarships. Direct Subsidized Loans, a student loan where the federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time, accounted for more than $407,000 in aid. It was followed by the Direct Unsubsidized Loan at $228,977. This loan requires the borrower to pay the interest even while still enrolled. The student can pay during the school year or let the interest capitalize and pay when entering the repayment phase.

Praeger cited for efforts to improve health care quality Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger was honored last week in Washington, D.C., by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Praeger, a Republican who defied others in the GOP by supporting the Affordable Care Act, was honored for her “decades of elected service working across party lines to improve health care quality,” according to the NCQA. Praeger, in her third term as insurance commissioner, is not running for re-election. In recent months, Praeger has been outspoken in her support of expanding Medicaid eligibility in Kansas. She also has been among the most active opponents of legislation that would allow Kansas to partner with other states seeking to gain control of Medicare and other federal health care programs.

Insurance agent sanctioned for misleading info about ACA

In a move that may be unprecedented simply because of the subject matter involved, the Kansas Insurance Department has fined a prominent insurance agent $1,000 for publishing false and misleading information about the Affordable Care Act. Scott Day of Day Solutions, based in Ozawkie, signed off on a “consent agreement” with the department that, in addition to the dollar penalties, called for him to publish a correction to the misleading statements he had published in Metro Voices, a publication distributed free in 500 northeast Kansas locations. Day’s problems with the department stemmed from a column he published in November 2013. The column included five statements that the department concluded were “misrepresentations.” Since Obamacare was passed in 2010, there have been any number of false or misleading statements about it from scores of sources, including nationally prominent radio and TV personalities and elected officials. The sanctions against Day apparently are the only ones issued in Kansas by the insurance department because of falsehoods about the law. The insurance department, among other things, is called to sanction agents for “untrue or deceptive” practices. “We regulate the business of insurance. We don’t have authority over anybody who doesn’t sell insurance,” said Zac Anshutz, a lawyer and assistant commissioner at the department, explaining why anyone else could lie about the law and probably get away with it.

The Scott County Record • Page 10 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Poll shows most Kansans support Medicaid expansion Jim McLean KHI News Service

Poll results indicate that the Medicaid expansion issue could be a factor in the Kansas governor’s race. The poll, conducted last week for MoveOn.org Political Action, showed that 52 percent of Kansans favored expanding the health care program to more low-income adults. Approximately a third 35 percent - said they were opposed to Medicaid expansion and 13 percent said

they weren’t sure. In addition, 41 percent of voters said Brownback’s failure to expand Medicaid would make them less likely to vote for him. Public Policy Polling of Raleigh, N.C., conducted the survey, which also showed Democrat Paul Davis leading Republican incumbent Sam Brownback 45 percent to 41 percent with 14 percent undecided. The results from other states showed other GOP incumbents trailing Democratic challengers in part due to their opposition to expansion.

Burdett Loomis, a University of Kansas political scientist who briefly served on the staff of former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, said that Brownback and Republican legislative leaders opposed to the Affordable Care Act have so far been able to “shut off any consideration of Medicaid expansion.” Davis, the leader of the Democratic minority in the Kansas House, was a vocal supporter of expansion during the 2013 legislative session but has been less eager

to discuss the issue since declaring his candidacy for governor, presumably due to its association with the Affordable Care Act, which remains unpopular with the public according to tracking polls by the Kaiser Family Foundation. ‘Better Discussion’ The poll results, Loomis said, suggest that voters want to see both candidates address the issue more forthrightly during the campaign. (See MEDICAID on page 11)

Ks. Medicaid enrollment gets ACA boost Predict 20,563 jump this year Mike Shields KHI News Service

A new report from federal officials shows that Medicaid enrollment in Kansas continues to climb. Kansas officials attribute the increase to greater awareness of the program due to the Affordable Care Act and the

recent promotions and advertising of the health insurance marketplace. The study was done by the consultant group AON Hewitt for the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback when it was considering the possibility of expanding eligibility for the state’s Medicaid program. Brownback and others in his administration have cited the report when describing their concerns that expanding the program could cost the

state too much money. The consultants predicted that Medicaid-CHIP enrollment would increase by 20,563 this year as a result of the Affordable Care Act, even if state policymakers chose against broadening the program, as the result of what is called “the woodwork effect.” Presumably, people already eligible for Medicaid but perhaps unaware of the program came “out of the woodwork” as they learned they could get

STDs top 20M annually; half affect 15-24-year-olds Nearly 20 million new sexually transmitted infections (STDs) occur in the United States every year, with America’s youth shouldering a substantial burden of these infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half of all new STDs in the country occur among young men and women aged 15 to 24. “Many people, especially young people, who have an STD are not aware of it until they have infected someone else and are notified by that person or the health care community. Testing is paramount to staying healthy when you exhibit risky behavior or engage in unsafe activities,” says Brenda Walker, director of KDHE’s Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention. “Prevention through education of factual information and good life choices can prevent thousands of needless infections every year.” The high incidence of STDs in the general population suggests that many Americans are at risk of exposure to STDs, underscoring the need for prevention. STD screening and early diagnoses are essential in preventing

April is STD Awareness Month transmission and the long term health consequences of STDs. The CDC encourages early detection and treatment of STDs as a means to prevent HIV. During 2013, there were 11,082 reported cases of chlamydia in Kansas. Of these 7,853 cases (71%) were in young men and women ages 15-24. There were 2,176 reported cases of gonorrhea in Kansas. Of these 1,179 cases (54%) were in young men and women ages 15-24. “Abstaining from sex, reducing the number of sexual partners, and consistently and correctly using condoms are all effective prevention strategies,” Walker says. “Safe, effective vaccines are also available to prevent hepatitis B and some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause disease and cancer. And for all individuals who are sexually active - particularly people under 25 - STD screening and prompt treatment (if infected) are critical to protect a person’s health and prevent transmission to others.

benefits. According to the federal report released last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Kansas enrollment grew to 415,284 in February, a 4.3 percent increase over monthly averages preceding the October launch of the Obamacare marketplace. Enrollment rose another 5,000 in March even though KDHE “had temporarily (See BOOST on page 17)

Governor signals support for health care compact A bill authorizing Kansas to join other states in an attempt to gain control of federal health care dollars was among several health-related measures approved by the legislature before it adjourned Sunday. House Bill 2553 would allow Kansas and several other states led by officials opposed to the Affordable Care Act to petition Congress for the right to decide how health care programs are structured and funded within their borders. Shortly after the Senate sent the so-called “health care compact” bill to Gov. Sam Brownback on a vote of 29-11, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer signaled the administration’s support. “Kansans do not support Obamacare,” Colyer said. “So things that allow states to come up with their own health care solutions, we’re very supportive of that.”

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger joined with the state chapter of AARP to oppose the measure, citing its potential to transfer oversight of the federal Medicare program to state officials. “It could jeopardize the coverage and benefits that seniors have come to count on,” Praeger said. “Kansans have paid into this program through payroll taxes and expect to receive the benefits they have been promised.” Praeger, a Republican who generally supports the health reform law, is in the final months of her third term and is not running for re-election. But the person she supports as her successor, Sen. Clark Shultz, a McPherson Republican, voted for the compact bill. Facing a crowded Republican primary, Shultz said he doesn’t

Medicaid “We might be able to have a better discussion in the campaign about health care, not just Obamacare but Medicaid expansion,” Loomis said. “I think that discussion, which we should embrace in Kansas, has been long in coming.” Results of a poll done for the Kansas Hospital Association in February 2013 showed 60 percent support for expansion and a poll released in February of this year by the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society put it at 72 percent. Of the nearly 900 respondents in the MoveOn.org poll, 52 percent were Republicans, 30 percent Democrats and

share Praeger’s concerns that the measure could jeopardize the health care benefits of the nearly 450,000 Kansans enrolled in Medicare. “I don’t think that is the intention of the compact. If I thought it was, that would cause me great concern,” Shultz said shortly after the vote. “We can back out if we see danger signals.” The House passed the compact bill, 74-48, on March 24. Kansas is the eighth state to endorse the compact, which must be approved by Congress. If that should happen, which is considered highly unlikely while Democrats control the U.S. Senate, the member states could receive federal Medicare and Medicaid dollars as block grants with no administrative strings attached, leaving them free to restructure the programs.

(continued from page 10)

18 percent independents. Most were between the ages of 46 and 65. More than 415,000 Kansans are now enrolled in Medicaid, which was renamed KanCare in 2013 when responsibility for managing the program was turned over to three for-profit companies. Most of the enrollees are children, pregnant women and Kansans with physical and developmental disabilities. A substantial number of seniors who have spent down their resources also rely on the program to cover their nursing home costs. The expansion authorized by the Affordable Care Act is designed mainly to cover low-

income adults who earn too little to qualify for federal subsidies to help them purchase private coverage on the Obamacare exchange. In Kansas, able-bodied adults aren’t eligible for Medicaid regardless of how little they earn. Adults with children are eligible but only if they earn less than 32 percent of poverty, about $630 a month for a threeperson household. Without expansion, an estimated 80,000 uninsured Kansans are expected to fall into what is being called the Medicaid gap, meaning they will remain ineligible for Medicaid and unable to afford private coverage.

The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

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For the Record Tips for getting more out of a fixed income The Scott County Record

Jason Alderman

We all love a good bargain, no matter what our age. But if you’re a senior citizen on a fixed income, finding discounted goods and services can mean the difference between making ends meet and going without. The good news is that tons of senior discounts are available - often for people as young as 50. One caveat right up front: Although many senior dis-

counts are substantial, you sometimes can find better bargains - especially on travel-related expenses like airfare, hotels and rental cars. So always do your research first before requesting the senior rate. Here’s a roundup of some of the best senior discounts I’ve found: An AARP membership costs only $16 a year for anyone over age 50, including free membership for spouses or partners (www.aarp.org).

USD 466 Board of Education Agenda Mon., April 14 • 7:00 p.m. Administration Building • 704 College •Awards and recognition •Comments from public 1) Judy George 2) Jenny O’Neil •Executive session 1) Non-elected personnel •Recognition of persons/delegations present 1) High Plains Co-op - Eric Erven 2) NW Ks. Tech. College - Mark Davis 3) Administrative reports •Financials 1) Bills payable 2) Transfers •Consent agenda 1) Approve previous minutes 2) Resignations/retirement 3) Recommendations for hire •Consider items pulled from consent agenda New business 1) Change in SCMS teaching assignment 2) Consideration of K-4 reading proposal 3) Negotiations (executive session) 4) Potential acquisition of property (executive session) •Adjournment

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department April 3: A burglary was reported on 4th Street. April 3: Jaimi Barnett was arrested on a Scott County warrant. April 3: Matthew Scheferkort was arrested on a Scott County warrant and transported to the LEC. April 3: Tyler Wishon was arrested on a Scott County warrant. April 3: Juan Rodriguez was arrested on an A and D warrant and transported to the LEC. April 4: Leonard Wallace as arrested for violation of a protection order and transported to the LEC. April 7: Ashley Maldonado was arrested for driving on a suspended license. April 7: Kevin Craig and James Chambers, Jr., were arrested for theft of property and tresspassing on railroad property. They were transported to the LEC.

The Scott County Record Page 12 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

AARP’s discounts website features discounts on dozens of products and services including rental cars, hotels, restaurants, clothing and department store chains. AARP also offers an inexpensive driver safety course for drivers over 50 (members and nonmembers alike) that can lower auto insurance premiums by up to 10 percent or more. Popular AARP discounts include:

•20 percent discount on installation or upgrades to ADT home security systems. •45 percent off membership to Angie’s List. •Up to 25 percent off car rentals from Avis and Budget. •Up to 20 percent discount at many hotel chains including Hyatt, Hilton, Wyndham, Best Western, Days Inn and Ramada, among others. •10 to 20 percent off at many restaurant chains,

USDA program can assist Kansans with home repairs If your house is in need of essential repairs this spring, USDA Rural Development has low-interest loans and grants available to help eligible families make needed home improvements. USDA’s home repair loans have a fixed interest rate as low as one percent and typically may be repaid over a term of 20 years. Grants are available to help applicants who are 62-years or older, and who cannot repay a loan, remove health and safety hazards or to make the home accessible for a disabled family member. Homes repaired with these funds must be located in communities of less than 20,000 people or in rural areas. Examples of eligible home repair projects include repair/replacement of storm doors, windows, steps, furnaces, water heaters or roofs, as well as construction of a storm shelter. Funds can also be used for insulation, electrical, plumbing, septic and water systems, and to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities. To be eligible for a repair loan, the family must qualify based on income, own and live in the home to be repaired, lack personal resources to pay for needed repairs, have a good credit history, limited assets and have repayment ability. In 2013, USDA Rural Development provided more than 100 grants and loans to rural Kansas homeowners for repairs totaling more than $560,000. For more information contact the Garden City area office at (620) 275-0211, Ext. 4.

Lawmakers eliminate sunset clause

Kansas lawmakers have removed the sunset clause that was included in the state’s all-offender ignition interlock law when it went into effect in July 2011. The bill passed the House (122-2) and Senate (40-0). Since the passage of its all-offender interlock law in 2011, Kansas has seen a reduction in the number of drunk driving deaths by over 30 percent (138 in 2010 to 94 in 2012). Support Your Schools

including Claim Jumper, Denny’s and Outback Steakhouse. A quick Google search will uncover numerous other senior discount resources. One popular site is SeniorDiscounts. com, an online directory of more than 220,000 U.S. business locations that offer discounts to people over 50. Registration is free, although they also offer a $12.95/year premium that offers members-only

discounts and other perks. Other good sites include Brad’s Deals, Sciddy.com and Savvy Senior. Other commonly available senior discounts include: •A 15 percent discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains for travelers over age 62. •Greyhound offers a five percent discount on unrestricted fares (over 62). (See INCOME on page 13)

Public Notice (Published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., April 10, 2014)1t RESOLUTION NO. 2014-3 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REMOVAL OF NUISANCE CONDITIONS FROM THE PROPERTY LISTED BELOW IN THE CITY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-4-9 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS. WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Scott City has declared it unlawful for any person to maintain nuisance conditions on private property within the City of Scott City, and WHEREAS, the resident and/or owners of the private property at the address listed herein have been notified pursuant to Section 4-4-7 of the Environmental Code of Ordinances and have neither abated the nuisance conditions nor requested a hearing before the Governing Body. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Govern-

ing Body of the City of Scott City, Kansas: Section 1. Ten (10) days after passage of this Resolution and after notification of person in violation by one of the methods prescribed in Section 4-4-9, the Public Officer is hereby authorized to abate the following nuisance conditions: 1524 S. College: lumber, wire, metal, tires, concrete, masonry products, supplies, equipment, machinery, junk or refuse, dishwasher and hot water heater. Section 2. The abatement costs incurred by the City shall be charged against the lot or parcel of ground on which the nuisance is located. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Governing Body of the City of Scott City, Kansas, on this 7th day of April, 2014. Dan Goodman, Mayor City of Scott City, Ks. ATTEST: Brenda Davis, MMC City Clerk

Friendship ‘Meals to Go’ available from the VIP Center only $3.25/meal • Call 872-3501

The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Denver crime rate drops following pot legalization Three months into Colorado’s historic legal recreational marijuana sales, crime hasn’t gone up in Denver, according to recent data released by the city. Overall property crime in the first two months of 2014 fell by 14.6 percent in Denver compared to the same period of 2013. There wasn’t as dramatic of a shift in overall violent

crime rates for the same period, but they were still down by 2.4 percent. The data stands in contrast to statements made in 2012, before Amendment 64 passed legalizing marijuana for recreational sale and use, when members of the law enforcement community warned of dire and “harmful” consequences because of legalization. “Expect more crime, more kids using marijua-

Public Notice (Published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., April 10, 2014)1t RESOLUTION NO. 2014-2 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REMOVAL OF NUISANCE CONDITIONS FROM THE PROPERTY LISTED BELOW IN THE CITY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-4-9 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS. WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Scott City has declared it unlawful for any person to maintain nuisance conditions on private property within the City of Scott City, and WHEREAS, the resident and/or owners of the private property at the address listed herein have been notified pursuant to Section 4-4-7 of the Environmental Code of Ordinances and have neither abated the nuisance conditions nor requested a hearing before the Governing Body. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED by the Governing Body of the City of Scott City, Kansas: Section 1. Ten (10) days after passage of this Resolution and after notification of person in violation by one of the methods prescribed in Section 4-4-9, the Public Officer is hereby authorized to abate the following nuisance conditions: 107 Court Street: tires, fencing supplies, large number of children’s toys, multiple lawn mowers and bicycles. Section 2. The abatement costs incurred by the City shall be charged against the lot or parcel of ground on which the nuisance is located. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Governing Body of the City of Scott City, Kansas, on this 7th day of April, 2014. Dan Goodman, Mayor City of Scott City, Ks. ATTEST: Brenda Davis, MMC City Clerk

Public Notice (Published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., April 10, 2014)1t RESOLUTION NO. 2014-4 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REMOVAL OF NUISANCE CONDITIONS FROM THE PROPERTY LISTED BELOW IN THE CITY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-4-9 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS. WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Scott City has declared it unlawful for any person to maintain nuisance conditions on private property within the City of Scott City, and WHEREAS, the resident and/or owners of the private property at the address listed herein have been notified pursuant to Section 4-4-7 of the Environmental Code of Ordinances and have neither abated the nuisance conditions nor requested a hearing before the Governing Body. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Govern-

ing Body of the City of Scott City, Kansas: Section 1. Ten (10) days after passage of this Resolution and after notification of person in violation by one of the methods prescribed in Section 4-4-9, the Public Officer is hereby authorized to abate the following nuisance conditions: 1513 Myrtle: pieces of branches and tree stumps, pieces of miscellaneous metal and stripped trailer home frames (bases). Section 2. The abatement costs incurred by the City shall be charged against the lot or parcel of ground on which the nuisance is located. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Governing Body of the City of Scott City, Kansas, on this 7th day of April, 2014. Dan Goodman, Mayor City of Scott City, Ks. ATTEST: Brenda Davis, MMC City Clerk

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., April 10, 2014; last published Thurs., April 24, 2014.)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LOUIS D. PARKINSON a/k/a L.D. PARKINSON, deceased Case No. 2013-PR-01 NOTICE OF HEARING THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed in this Court by Louis H. Parkinson and Daniel J. Parkinson, duly appointed, qualified and acting Co-Executors of the Estate of Louis D. Parkinson, deceased, praying that their acts be approved; that the Will be construed and the Estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; that fees and expenses be allowed; that

the costs be determined and ordered paid; that the administration of the Estate be closed; that the Co-Executors be discharged and that they be released from further liability. You are required to file your written defenses thereto on or before the 7th day of May, 2014, at 3:00 o’clock p.m., of said day, in said Court, in the City of Scott City, in Scott County, Kansas, at which time and place said cause will be heard. Should you fail therein, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition. Louis H. Parkinson and Daniel J. Parkinson, WALLACE, BRANTLEY & SHIRLEY 325 Main - P. O. Box 605 Scott City, Kansas 67871 (620) 872-2161 Attorneys for Petitioner

na and pot for sale everywhere,” Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver said in a 2012 statement opposing Amendment 64. “I think our entire state will pay the price.” While legalization of marijuana and the lower crime rate may not be connected, statistics indicate skyrocketing crime because of legalization has not materialized. Still, some say that it’s simply

too early to identify any trends from this data. “We quite frankly don’t know,” said Henny Lasley, spokesperson for antimarijuana legalization group Smart Colorado, to Vox. “We’ve had three complete months of retail marijuana. It’s a pretty short window.” Denver is home to the vast majority of the state’s operational recreational marijuana dispensaries,

which have generated tremendous sales revenue since sales began on New Year’s Day - $14 million in just the first month of sales alone. The city’s crime data echoes similar data from a recent report in the peer-reviewed publication PLOS ONE, which found that the legalizing of medical marijuana causes no increase in crime, and

may even reduce some violent crime, including homicide. Laws in 20 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana for medical use. Along with Colorado, Washington state has also legalized marijuana for recreational use. About a dozen other states are considering the legalization of marijuana in some form in the coming years.

Winter of 2014 is most costly for KDOT since ‘08

The winter of 2014 that appears to be over was the most costly since 2008 for the Kansas Department of Transportation. KDOT spent an estimated $22 million on materials, labor and equipment usage to keep state highways clear and open for travel. That compares to $23.7 million in 2008. This year’s winter costs break down to $8.50 per registered vehicle. KDOT crews worked 550,000 hours, used 591 dump trucks and treated/plowed some 2.7 million lane miles. KDOT maintenance experts said the broad scope of this year’s storms, along with frigid temperatures, combined to make this an expensive winter season. The least amount KDOT has spent on winter maintenance in the past seven years was $6.8 million in 2012.

Income

(continued from page 12)

•Southwest Airlines offers senior fares (over 65). Although not necessarily their lowest available rates, Southwest’s senior fares are fully refundable. •The U.S. Geologic Survey senior pass (over 62) provides free lifetime access to more than 2,000 government-managed recreational sites (including national parks), as well as discounts on camping and other amenities. Senior passes cost $10 in person or $20 by mail (http:// store.usgs.gov/pass/ senior.html). •Verizon Wireless offers discounted mobile phone service for subscribers over 65. In addition, many restaurants, department stores, movie theaters, museums, theme parks, banks, credit card issuers, utilities (including gas and electric, water, garbage, telephone and cable) and other businesses offer special discounts or promotions for seniors. Always ask before your purchase is rung up. Bottom line: Abundant resources are available to help seniors save money on purchases large and small. You just have to do a little research - and ask whether senior discounts are available. Remember, 10 percent here and 20 percent there can really add up.

Winter 2014 by the Numbers

591 2.7 million 550,000 125,000 90,000 5.2 million 33,500 Year

Dump trucks Miles treated/plowed Labor hours Tons of salt Tons of sand Gallons of brine Gallons of magnesium chloride

Annual Winter Expenses Total

2008 $23.7 million 2009 $11.3 million 2010 $20 million 2011 $17.9 million 2012 $6.9 million 2013 $18.6 million 2014 $22 million* *Estimated costs

Per Reg. Vehicle $9.10 $4.30 $7.70 $6.90 $2.70 $7.20 $8.50*

The Scott County Record

Lawn and Garden

Annual aeration can be a boost for most lawns

Just walking or driving across a lawn to mow it can compact the soil. Watering the grass can squeeze out soil’s oxygen, too. That’s why many wellestablished lawns are suffocating slowly - unless their owner is providing periodic help. Their soil compaction rate is even faster if lawns have poor drainage, heavy foot (paw) traffic, thatch buildup and/or crossover by heavy equipment, says Megan Kennelly, horticulturist at Kansas State University. “The problem can start if you over-till when preparing the seedbed,” she notes. “And, it can get worse if you let soil stay compacted into summer, because your lawn will dry out so quickly.” That’s why Kennelly generally recommends homeowners aerate their lawns at least once a year. The only exceptions are people with newly seeded lawns and those with sandy soils. “If you grow turf that develops thatch problems, you’ll need to aerate more often - twice a year, at least,” she said. “If your lawn is in clay and gets lots of use, you also will need to aerate twice yearly.” For homeowners growing tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, the best time to aerate is in March, April and/or September. For those with bermuda, buffalograss, or zoysia, prime aeration time lasts from late May through July. No matter the month, however, core aeration should come before seasonal maintenance chores such as fertilizing, seeding and applying pre-emergence herbicides (e.g., crabgrass preventer). Most equipment rental stores have core aerators available. The machines come equipped with hol-

low tines that punch and pull out a narrow core of soil, depositing it on top of the grass. “This kind of equipment isn’t lightweight. If you can’t handle a fullsize tiller, for example, you might want to hire a professional to aerate your lawn,” advises Kennelly, who is the turfgrass specialist for K-State Extension. Soil moisture content is vital to successful aeration. Tines can’t penetrate deeply enough into droughty soils. They clog in wet soils and may not deposit the soggy cores on the lawn’s surface. Good hole spacing also is important. “If the holes are spaced too far apart, you won’t exactly be wasting your time. But, you’ll still have a compaction problem, she explained. “If the holes are too close together, that’s not as big a deal; they’ll simply remain visible for a little longer. So, you should err on the side of overdoing things, if you’re unsure about the

How to Assess Soil Texture

Assessing soil texture can be a scientific or roughand-ready task. Getting soil tested in a lab will not only provide an exact measure of soil type but also reveal any nutrient deficiencies. Extension offices across Kansas can provide instructions on gathering a good sample. If desired, they also can forward samples to K-State Extension’s soils testing lab in Manhattan. But anyone can get a rough assessment of texture by squeezing a handful of moist (not wet and not dry) soil. If the resulting ball falls apart when the hand’s opened again, the soil is sand. If the ball crumbles easily, the soil is loam. If it holds together without help, the ball is clay. This test works well for turf, flowerbed or garden soil.

results you’re getting.” Kennelly said that achieving good spacing will require making three or more passes over the lawn, with each pass going in a different direction. The ideal homeowners should strive for is cores that are three inches deep and three inches apart. Rainfall and the lawn itself will remove correctly spaced holes from sight in about a month. “You won’t see the full results of regular aerating for about three years,” Kennelly said. “But your lawn’s roots will be get-

ting healthier, deeper and stronger almost immediately.” Where thick thatch is a problem, some lawnowners fight back by power raking. “If thatch is that thick, however, they really should power rake and core aerate,” she said. Thatch often is the only physical sign that a lawn needs aeration. Compaction has gone on too long when lawns dry out so quickly in summer that their “breathing” problem becomes obvious, Kennelly adds.

Spring veggies

Great taste; good for the budget For the experienced and novice alike, cool-season vegetable gardening can be a low-key approach to getting just-picked flavor on the dinner table. “Spring vegetables use little garden space. You can plant them in containers on the patio or in bare spaces where you plan to put annual flowers,” says Jennifer Smith, horticulturist with Kansas State University Extension. Unless they plan to replant for a fall crop, too, gardeners are likely to be through with the year’s cool-season vegetable harvests by the end of May, Smith added.

That will limit their work to the cool days of spring. Plus, they should have few, if any, problems with insect pests. “Some gardeners start planting in mid-March. In most years, though, planting by the first week of April gives many coolseason vegetables enough time to produce in Kansas before summer weather shuts them down,” she said. “Since many of the crops can withstand temperatures in the 20s, they’ll be safe even if we get more wintry weather.” Among Smith’s favor-

ites for her own garden are: Onions: grow from plants or sets, 1.5-inches deep, spaced 4 inches apart for large onions. Radishes: plant from seed according to package directions, then thin to the sturdiest sprouts. Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower: easiest to grow from transplants, but they’ll need to be outside for a few days in a sheltered location, to “harden off” before going into the cool outdoor soil. Lettuce and spinach: start from tiny seeds and thin to allow distance between plants later. They’ll

soon reach harvest size and replace any leaves you take, so you’ll have fresh salads until summer. The greens: (mustard or collard greens, endive, Swiss chard) - grow much like spinach. “It’s getting a little late to start potatoes or peas for this year, but you can still do it if you hurry,” Smith said. “By mid to late April when the soil temperature is a little warmer, you also can start planting turnips, beets, carrots and parsnips - all of which are fairly easy to grow from seed if you just follow packet instructions.”

Page 14 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

Spring pests will survive extreme cold

We are finally catching a break from the long, cold winter, but if you’re hoping that the extreme cold has killed off spring pests, you’re out of luck, according to Jeff Whitworth, associate professor of entomology at Kansas State University. “Whether they’re going to survive is not the question,” Whitworth said. “It’s probably how many are going to survive.” Whitworh says you’re going to need to pull out bug spray this spring. Insects start coming out around the same time flowers start blooming. While we may see fewer insects at first, most of the insects will survive the colder temperatures. Bugs have adapted procedures, like producing antifreeze or crawling into a warmer area, to protect themselves from the harsh temperatures in the winter. Even though temperatures this winter were colder than usual, Whitworth says these adaptive techniques help them survive. “Insects are heterotherms,” Whitworth said. “They are 100 percent controlled by temperatures.” Whitworth says warmer weather is more detrimental to insects than extreme cold.

The Scott County Record

Lawn and Garden

Disease control should be first step in spring gardening Before you put out this year’s vegetable garden, consider cultural practices for disease control. Be sure to remove last year’s vegetable debris from the garden or till them deeply into the soil. Many plant pathogens can overwinter on dead plant debris, so it is very important to remove these from the garden. Also consider a rotation plan for your vegetables. Try not to replant tomatoes in the same location year after year. Even if you have a small garden, relocate the tomato plants to the opposite end of the last season’s garden. Rotate tomatoes with sweet corn or possibly cucumbers. Avoid planting potatoes or pepper plants where last year’s tomato

crop was planted. Some vegetables can be successfully grown in buckets or pots on the patio, but consider replacing the potting mix each season. Also clean or soak the pot in a 10% bleach solution for 10-30 minutes before adding fresh potting mix. For container-grown vegetables, use commercial soil less mix. Be sure to start with clean seed or transplants. Where possible, use varieties with resistance to disease problems. For example select tomato varieties with resis-

tance to wilt pathogens. Similarly, use cucumber and muskmelon varieties with resistance to powdery mildew and Fusarium wilt. Carefully check transplants for evidence of diseases. Tomato transplants grown near or with bedding plants may be infected with the spotted wilt virus. Snapping vs. Cutting The first few spears of asparagus are starting to appear in Western Kansas. When spears are 8-10 inches tall, they are ready for harvest. Spears enlarge directly in relation to average daily temperature (day and night temperatures), as well as in relation to spear length. In other words, the warmer it is the faster

spears grow, and the taller the spear the faster it grows. When the spear is removed, a ‘signal’ is sent to the below-ground crown system to send up replacement spears and other buds begin to grow. Thus, the more you cut the more spears the plant sends up. It makes no difference to the plant whether the spear is cut or snapped off at the ground level. Snapping just above ground level results in a spear that is tender to the base and entirely useable. Cutting just below the ground level results in a lower ‘butt’ portion of the spear that is tough and usually is trimmed off and thrown away. However, the butt portion prevents the rest of the spear from drying out quite as rapidly.

Building a better tomato cage

Unless designed well, tomato cages can have more to do with frustrating gardeners than with penning up plants. They can lean, blow over, collapse, exclude harvesting hands. Good cages allow tomato vines to grow vertically, keeping fruit and leaves out of the dirt. This saves garden space, said Rick Snell, natural resources agent, with Kansas State University Extension. The vertical position also provides better air circulation around each plant, helping prevent such diseases as early blight and Septoria leaf spot. The cages’ support allows tomato plants to grow normally, too, with-

out gardeners’ having to remove the vines’ many suckers (shoots between stems and branches). “As one result, wellcaged plants can not only produce well but also have enough foliage to shade and protect their fruit by the time our hot summer months arrive,” Snell said. Unfortunately, many cages available commercially leave a lot to be desired, he said. “Because of the force of summertime winds and the weight of tomato vines’ foliage and fruit, cages and similar kinds of support have to be sturdy and anchored. But, the cheap, widely available wire cages that are shaped like an inverted cone are often too small and top-

heavy for the job,” Snell explained. “With stronger, better balanced cage designs, a limiting factor now is they can cost up to $100 - or more.” He suggests gardeners make their own from the “fencing” used to reinforce concrete (available, if not on display, at some big-box home centers) or from woven-wire livestock fencing (at many farm stores). Either has hand-size spaces between wires. Both are bendable, but rigid enough to form a self-supporting cage. Staking’s sole role will be to keep the wind from blowing them over. Standard vined or indeterminate tomato varieties need a cage that’s five feet

tall or more. Most newer compact or semi-determinate varieties can use a cage that’s 2-1/2 to three feet tall. Tomato cages should be about 20-24 inches in diameter. That’s about the same as a five-foot length of reinforcing wire, formed into a circle. If you need to make cuts, though, wear heavy work gloves and eye protection. You’ll probably want to use a hacksaw, heavy wire snips or bolt cutters. Cleaning off and washing tomato cages with a 1:10 bleach-water solution at the end of each season is a good practice, he added. Given that, reinforcing wire cages can last 20 to 30 years - even stored outside.

Cultivated carrots look the best

Unless you want to grow orange, “hairy” forks or golf balls, cultivate soil 8-10 inches deep before planting carrots this spring. “Many soils in our region compact very easily and carrots that develop in hard, compacted soils will be misshapen,” says Chuck Marr, horticulturist with K-State Extension. In fact, Marr recommends that Kansans not even try to grow long, thin carrot varieties. “Good short, fat varieties include Red Cored Chantenay and Royal Chantenay. Miniature varieties include Sweet-nShort, Gold Nugget, Little Finger and Tiny Sweet. A good moderately long variety is Scarlet Nantes,” he said. The best planting time for carrots is late March to early-April for a spring crop or early August for a fall harvest. Most varieties need 5560 days to go from seed to maturity. Yet, carrots are most tender and sweet when harvested in cooler weather. “So, it’s fortunate they can withstand a light

freeze,” says Marr. “You don’t have to cover a spring-planted crop if we get a late cold snap. You actually can mulch fall-planted carrots with straw and harvest, as needed, until the ground freezes solid in mid-December.” He suggests the following steps for raising carrots from seed to a goodtasting source of vitamin A: •Plant seeds one-fourth (spring) to one-half (fall) inch deep in moist soil,

sprinkling carefully to avoid excessively crowded rows. The rows themselves can be just 12 inches apart. •Until the seeds germinate, avoid heavy watering, which can form a crust on the soil surface. •Be patient. Particularly in spring, carrot germination sometimes is slow and uneven. •When the weak, spindly seedling plants have emerged, thin so the strongest are 1-2 inches apart. •Weed carefully while

the plants are young, to remove the carrots’ competition. •Dig or pull the roots about two months after planting, when they reach the desired diameter. •Cut the tops to within one-half inch of the root top and store in plastic bags in a refrigerator. “If you don’t use them up quickly, eating them raw and cooking them in stews and casseroles, you’ll find that carrots can store well for quite a long while,” Marr said.

Page 15 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

Helping your lawn after a dry winter

There wasn’t a lot of snow to go around this winter. Now is a good time to begin taking steps to help your lawn recover from a dry winter. Snow is more than just a protective covering, says landscape specialist Matt Einhorn. “You typically don’t think of watering your landscaping in the winter and why would you? But it’s necessary and it’s a job that’s usually taken care of by mother nature,” he says. “When there’s no snow there is such a thing as a winter drought. We have to be aware of that and come springtime you might need to water a little earlier and a little more often to get the water at necessary levels.” Because of the relatively mild winter months, grubs may become an issue. “The early warm weather could result in more grubs this year,” notes Einhorn. Skunks feed on grubs which could lead to more skunks appearing in neighborhoods. The best medicine for that is a grub control product early in the spring that you make sure you put down on your lawn. The lack of moisture could mean extra work in order to get the yard in shape this spring. “And keep in mind, anything you planted in the fall and especially your flowering trees, might not be as ‘showy’ come springtime,” Einhorn adds.

The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Social Security Q and A Q) Can I use the metal or plastic versions of Social Security cards that some companies make? A) We don’t recommend it. There is no need to have a replica of your card. In most cases, the only time you may need to produce your Social Security card is when you apply for employment. At other times, we strongly recommend that you keep anything with your Social Security number on it with your other important papers. Do not carry your Social Security card with you. Also, we strongly advise against laminating your card. You should question anyone else other than your employer who asks for your Social Security number or your card. Not everyone you do business with needs it. Learn more at www. socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Retirement Q) How long do I need to work to become eligible for retirement benefits? A) Everyone born in 1929 or later needs 40 Social Security credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. You can earn up to four credits per year, so you will need at least 10 years of work to become eligible for retirement benefits. During your working years, earnings covered by Social Security are posted to your Social Security record. You earn credits based on those earnings. If you become disabled or die before age 62, the number of credits needed to qualify for Social Security benefits depends on your age at the time you die or become disabled. A minimum of six credits is required to qualify for Social Security benefits regardless of your age.

Deaths Dixie L. Neuenschwander Dixie L. Neuenschwander, 79, died March 31, 2014, at the Scott County Hospital, Scott City. She was born on Nov. 9, 1934, in Durham, the daughter of Adam and Elsie (Ollenburger) Miller. A resident of Scott City since 1946, moving from Anaheim, Calif., she and her husband, Robert, were the owners and operators of Robert’s Jewelers, Scott City, for over 42 years. Dixie was a member of the First Baptist Church, Scott City, the Kansas Jewelers Association, American Gemologist Association, Scott County Garden Club, El Quartelejo Study Club, American Association of Iris Growers, American Association of Day Lily Growers and was a past director of the BYF at the First Baptist Church, Scott City. On July 15, 1979, Dixie married Robert C. Neuen-

schwander in Wichita. He died Feb. 25, 2009, in Scott City. Survivors include: one daughter, Brenda Cejda, Scott City; one son, Brent Cejda, and wife, Jennifer, Lincoln, Nebr.; one-step daughter, Linda Neuenschwander, Aurora, Colo.; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Miller, Scott City, and Jane Miller, Hillsboro; three grandchildren and six nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. A private family funeral service was held on April 2 at Price and Sons Funeral Home, Scott City, with Rev. Dennis Carter officiating. Interment was at the Scott County Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Park Lane Nursing Home in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington St., Scott City, Ks. 67871.

Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu Week of April 14-18 Monday: Barbeque beef, potato salad, creamy cole slaw, whole wheat bread, peach crisp. Tuesday: Cheeseburger, deli fixins, broccoli and cauliflower salad, pudding. Wednesday: Spaghetti and meat sauce, green beans, tossed salad, French bread, brownie with ice cream. Thursday: Bierock casserole, pea layer salad, tomato slices, blueberry bar. Friday: Baked fish, parsley potatoes, green beans, whole wheat roll, strawberries and bananas. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501

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Alternative health care to be discussed at forum in GC

Have you ever wondered what yoga could do for you? Do you know what Reiki is? Looking for relief from chronic pain? How can art expression contribute to better health? These questions and others will be answered during a free public forum on Sun., April 13, 1:006:00 p.m., at St. Catherine Hospital, 401. E. Spruce, Garden City. The program will be

Boost delayed eligibility reviews as part of the conversion to the ACA-mandated Modified Adjusted Gross Income methodology and the transition to our new eligibility system.” Those reviews have since resumed. According to the AON forecast, growth in

offered in Classroom A (enter from south side of the hospital). Wellness Connections, an association that represents individuals from throughout the area who offer alternative health care, is sponsoring the event. They will be explaining and demonstrating complementary and integrative services which are available in Southwest Kansas. Discussions to be covered include: •History of Reiki

•Cranial Sacral Therapy •Unlocking the Door to the Soul •Art Expression •Hydroponics Brings Nutrition to the Table •Chronic Pain Relief Through Massage •Massage and Lymphedema Care for Cancer Patients and Survivors •Using Your Intuition •Yoga Benefits For more information contact Kriz Retsema (620-290-0507) or Kathy Haxton (620-214-3240).

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Kansas Medicaid-CHIP enrollment will “ramp up” by 41,538 enrollees by the end of 2016. The consultants predicted that more than 225,000 Kansans would gain Medicaid-CHIP coverage if state policymakers chose to loosen eligibility restrictions in keep-

ing with the Affordable Care Act. Kansas currently has some of the most restrictive sign-up standards in the nation with benefits mostly limited to poor children, elderly and the disabled. Childless, ablebodied adults can’t qualify regardless of how poor they are.

The Scott County Record • Page 17 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Youngsters who have reached 200 to 900 book milestones in the Scott County Library’s “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” reading program are:

Collier Livingstone 600

Aaren Radke 300

Change Wilson about the due process protection. He said it wasn’t anything that school administrators were wanting or needing. “Tenure doesn’t affect how we do business,” he says. “The focus of our administrators and our staff is in doing what’s best for the kids.” ‘A Slap in the Face’ Wichita County Supt. Keith Higgins was more harsh in his assessment of the law, calling it a “travesty to the teachers” and a “slap in the face.” “The governor has said that he’s proud of Kansas education, yet (the legislature) take(s) away a basic right from our educators,” he notes. “This is a union busting effort.” Higgins says districts already have the means for dealing with teachers they feel are underperforming. “If a teacher isn’t performing in the classroom

USD 466 Menu Week of April 14-18 Breakfast Monday: Whole grain waffles, fresh grapes, fruit juice. Tuesday: Pancakes, sausage links, peaches, fruit juice. Wednesday: Whole grain bagel and jelly, fresh oranges, fruit juice. Thursday: Breakfast pita and salsa, fresh apple, fruit juice. Friday: No school. Lunch Monday: Spaghetti and meat sauce. *egg rolls, french bread, cooked carrots, baked apples. Tuesday: Sweet-n-sour chicken, *burrito, fried rice, Italian blend, tropical fruit. Wednesday: Hamburger on a bun, *spicy chicken patties, seasoned potato wedges, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, watermelon. Thursday: Enchilada, *fish sticks, chips and salsa, peas and carrots, pears. Friday: No school. *second choice at SCMS and SCHS

Kinzie Fisher 300

Jaxson Fisher 300

Isabelle Arens 200

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you observe, document, offer help or reassign them. Most people in the classroom want to make the effort to get better,” he says. “The last step is to non-renew them. And they’ve had due process if they didn’t feel the dismissal was justified. “It’s a longer process, but the mechanisms are already in place.” “This tenure thing bothers me,” adds Supt. John LaFave. “It wasn’t necessary. You can get rid of a bad teacher, but you have to do your due diligence. It was a process, but nothing so difficult that we needed to scrap the law.” LaFave feels that the myth that it’s impossible to fire a bad teacher once they have earned tenure has been “perpetuated by some administrators who don’t want to do the work. It’s an excuse.” Current SCTA President Matt Fox is hopeful the law will be repealed.

He noted that the Kansas National Education Association is considering legal action to block the measure. “It’s a matter of due process that teachers are entitled to. That’s something you find with a lot of jobs,” he says. “I guess that’s why they waited until 4:00 in the morning to vote on it.” Fox said he was glad to see the defunding of Common Core standards stripped from the final bill. Equality Kansas Executive Director Tom Witt said after the bill was passed by the legislature that his group opposes the proposal because it would allow administrators to fire teachers because of sexual orientation. Pushing the effort to end teacher tenure was Americans for Prosperity, backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch.

Kasey Rohrbough 600

Ava Hughes 400

Deakin Daniels 600

Kirby Rohrbough 600

Bretton Thomas 900

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Sports The Scott County Record

A fast start Young SCHS squad provides some surprises in opener • page 26

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, April 10, 2014

off to the races

Page 19

Wycoff sweeps sprints; Nickel wins 100m HH at Ulysses Inv.

Sweeping gold medals in all of the sprints, one could say that Kelly Wycoff appeared to already be in mid-season form at the Ulysses Invitational last Friday. The Scott Community High School senior had a dominating day in the 100m (12.93), 200m (26.15) and 400m (58.96). As for her overall performances, Wycoff wasn’t pleased. “That start was probably the worse I’ve ever had,” she said following the 100m. Wycoff was off-balance coming out of the blocks and wandered briefly to the right side of the lane, putting her briefly into last place. Wycoff, however, was able to quickly recover and beat runner-up Jessica Arnold (Ulysses) by nearly 30/100 of a second. It was no surprise that things didn’t go particularly well at times for the SCHS squad. They’ve had to battle cold weather,

SCHS senior Bailey Nickel was an easy winner in the 100m high hurdles at the Ulysses Invitational on Friday.

strong winds and limited practice time to start the season. Friday’s weather was one of the nicest days the team has seen this

spring. “We really had no idea what to expect,” says head coach Jim Turner. “We saw some good things and

we also saw that we have a lot of work to do, but that’s what you’d expect this early in the season.” Perhaps the most

impressive performance by Wycoff came in the 400m which was only 82/100 of a second off her best time from last

(Record Photo)

year. She finished more than two seconds ahead of the second place girl from Garden City. (See WYCOFF on page 20)

Mehl is a double winner at Cimarron track meet A healthy Joshua Mehl is anxious to make up for what he feels was a lost season. A year ago, he was recovering from knee surgery at this time and didn’t make it to the track

until just before regional. Despite the shortened season, Mehl still came away from the Class 2A state track meet with a pair of medals in the 1600m (2nd, 4:28.5) and the 800m (5th, 2:04.44).

The WCHS senior wasted no time establishing himself as one of the top distance runners in the area when he swept gold medals in both events in the season opener at Cimarron. He won

the 800m in 2:06.09 and broke the meet record in the 1600m (4:38.45). “Josh saw some kids who pushed him hard last year and he took over both races,” says head coach Janae Porter. “He

was able to run his race and establish the pace he wanted. “Since he didn’t have much of a track season last year, Josh has been training hard during the off-season and he’s ready

to have a great season,” says Porter. “This was the kind of start he was looking for.” Budde Wins Gold Senior sprinter Jantz (See MEHL on page 21)

There’s nothing routine for young SC ball club

Scott City freshman Chase Rumford prepares to round third base and score the goahead run in the opening game against Lakin on Tuesday. (Record Photo)

It’s a theme that head coach Neil Baker has been preaching from day one and it’s one that his young baseball team probably still hears when they go to bed at night. Make the routine plays. “If we can do that we’ll save our pitchers’ arms and Scott City 2 5 it will keep Lakin 12 15 us in ball games,” he emphasizes. It’s not that the Beavers don’t understand the message, but with so many underclassmen on the starting roster there’s nothing routine. Because of their inability to catch routine fly balls and convert ground balls into outs, the Scott Community High School squad dropped both ends of a double-header at Lakin on Tuesday. Scott City (0-4 had the early lead in both games before losing, 12-2 and 15-5. “It’s not that we can’t play with a team like that. We started out well in both games,” says Baker. “But we aren’t making the routine plays on defense and we’re making too many baserunning mistakes. Those are things that should improve, and will improve, but it takes time.” SCHS owned a brief 2-1 lead in the top of the second

inning when freshman Chase Rumford hit a RBI double to the gap in right-center field and scored the go-ahead run on a bloop single by freshman Kevin Aguilera. However, starting pitcher Sloan Baker began to have control problems in the bottom of the second, issuing three straight walks, followed by a hit batsman and a wild pitch. SCHS was able to escape by giving up just two runs and still trailed just 3-2 entering the bottom of the fourth. After the leadoff batter fouled out, Lakin put together four consecutive singles and a double on their way to scoring four runs. They matched that total in the fifth inning with the help of two fielding errors and a pair of doubles. The game ended on the mercy rule when Lakin scored one more run in the fifth inning. “Sloan started out well, but his arm and legs aren’t in shape. That causes him to leave balls high in the strike zone,” says Coach Baker. Freshman Gustavo Gonzalez pitched well in relief. He entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, but gave up just one unearned run on an error and was able to retire the next two batters to limit the damage. (See ROUTINE on page 26)

The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Outdoors in Kansas

by Steve Gilliland

Herons, gulls, fish and chili So what do an antique ice ax, a six foot Western Diamondback snake skin, an owl pellet and castor glands from a male beaver have in common? They were all on display during the Fish Fry and Wild Game Night at our church Saturday evening. We are fortunate to have numerous good fishermen, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in our congregation, so our men’s fellowship group strives to sponsor one of these menand-boys-nights-out every 2-3 years, usually coinciding with the time when fishermen’s freezers are full, if you know what I mean. This year’s events included a dinner of fried fish and elk chili cooked by the men, several display tables of hunting, fishing and other outdoor “stuff,” a mystery table consisting of 30 items requiring identification for a prize and my favorite part of the evening - a storytelling competition. Having garnered the storyteller’s permission, and devoid of names and specifics, I’d like to relate the best two stories of the night, which both involve fishermen catching birds. The winning story took place on a church fishing trip many years ago to Lake Texoma. When our group goes there we always have two or three boats, allowing us to divide and concur in order to find fish. The boats will separate and try different spots each morning and when one group finds fish they relay that to the others who can meet there also if they’re not already having any luck. On this particular morning, as is often the case, the fishing was great but the catching was poor, (See HERONS on page 22)

Freshmen Paige Winderlin (left) and Macy Berning near the finish line in the 400m at the Ulysses Invitational last Friday. (Record Photo)

Wycoff Nickel Wins Gold Lack of practice time in the hurdles raised questions about what kind of day senior Bailey Nickel would have. She responded with an outstanding time of 16.30 to win the 100m high hurdles - just 40/100 off her career best. “Considering she had a bad start and we hadn’t been able to work on the hurdles, that’s a pretty good way to start the year,” Turner says. Even though Nickel had to settle for a silver in the 300m low hurdles that performance was even more impressive. It was the first time that Nickel

(continued from page 19)

had run the race competitively since her freshman year when she had a season best of 50.17. “She hasn’t had a chance to work on the hurdles at all, except maybe to get her steps down for the first hurdle,” Turner says. She ran 26 (seconds) in the first 100 (meters) and then took off at the 200 (meter) mark.” Nickel finished 1.4 seconds behind Arnold (48.22, Ulysses), but the two will see each other at least two more times this year. “I feel that once Bailey realizes what she’s capable of she can get down

to 48 (seconds) or faster,” ble of bringing their times Turner says. down to where we can compete with them,” says 2 More Silvers Turner. It’s also possible the The Lady Beavers picked up another sil- relay could look a little ver in the 4x400m relay different later in the sea(4:17.91). Relay mem- son with freshmen Paige bers were Nickel, Megan Winderlin and Macy Thornburg, Aubrey Davis Berning possibly in the mix for one or two relay and Wycoff. With Garden City spots. In the open 400m, well out in front, Wycoff Winderlin ran 66.55 and coasted to a 60 second Berning ran 67.67. Senior Rachel Anliker split in the anchor leg, but Turner is anxious to see was just six inches below how well the relay can her career best in the pole compete against the Lady vault, clearing 8-feet, for Buffaloes when the two a silver medal. Thornburg (2:34.07) teams see each other late was a bronze medalist in in the season. “These girls are capa- the 800m, Nickel (32-4

3/4) was fourth in the triple jump and sophomore Madison Braun shattered her career best in the javelin by nearly 20 feet with a toss of 91-2 to earn a sixth place finish. “There’s a lot to fix with Madison’s technique, which makes her throw even more impressive,” Turner says. “Once we correct a few things it will be interesting to see how well she can do.” Adding a fifth place finish in the 4x100m (56.39) was Thornburg who was joined by three freshmen - Kaylene McGonagle, Cami Patton and Winderlin.

Prairie chicken ritual among events at Cheyenne Bottoms This season the Cheyenne Bottoms is blooming with beauty after an extraordinarily dry 2013. But this year, said Curtis Wolf, manager at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, “there’s water in the bottoms.” Three spring activities at the center, northeast of Great Bend on Kansas Highway 156 at the edge of Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands, will show off that beauty: the annual Wild Goose Chase 5K/3K Fun Run, a series

of Greater Prairie Chicken site, the “males drum their Lek Tours and a Digital feet in stylized dances and Photography Seminar. make a booming call that can be heard for over a Prairie Chickens mile.” The bizarre and unique The dances happen mating rituals of the only at sunrise and take greater prairie chicken are about three hours. Guides a must-see in April. Male will drive spectators to a prairie chickens fight, comfortable trailer blind sing and dance to win were the leks are located. the affection of females Ten tours, with a maxion communal mating mum of seven people per grounds known as “leks” tour, are scheduled for (the “e” is pronounced as April and require a resin “legs”). ervation at least two days According to the prior. Nature Conservancy webCost is $25 per person

12 and older. The schedule for the remaining four tours: Tuesday, April 15, at 5:30 a.m. Friday, April 18, at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at 5:20 a.m. Sunday, April 27, at 5:20 a.m. Wild Goose Chase The second annual Wild Goose Chase 5K/3K Fun Run, is not only a major fundraiser for the center, but is also known

as the fastest and flattest 5K/3K in all of Kansas. The run is scheduled for Sat., April 26. Checkin begins at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts at 9:00 a.m. Early registration is $25 for ages 18 and older and $15 for ages 17 and younger. Late registration, after April 15, is $35 for ages 18 and older and $25 for ages 17 and younger. Registration forms can be found at the website, wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu. (See CHEYENNE on page 21)

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Kenfield wins 200m Cheyenne gold at Cimarron Inv. Valli Kenfield may be new to the Wichita County High School track program but she wasted no time making an impact. The junior captured the 200m title (27.16) and added silver medals in the 400m (65.01) and the triple jump (312 1/2) at the Cimarron Invitational last Friday. “She’s a great addition to the team,” says head coach Janae Porter about Kenfield, who attended Riley County High School last year. The head coach is looking for a big season from Kenfield, noting that this was the first time she had competed in

the 400m. “And she was about two feet behind the board on her 31-foot (triple) jump,” says Porter. Kenfield may even see what she can do in the javelin. It’s not as though the Lady Indians are lacking quality in the javelin already. Senior Katie Bailey was a silver medalist (102-7), which was well below her career mark of 117-8 last year. “But this is a good starting point for Katie,” Porter says. Senior Zahily Sandoval was a fifth place medalist in the 100m high hurdles (18.87).

Mehl

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Budde got his season off to an outstanding start with a gold medal in the 200m (23.56) and a silver in the 100m (11.6). He was nudged by Holcomb speedster Heath Tucker (11.27) for the gold. “Jantz looked great for his first meet of the year. He ran relaxed which is what we’ve been wanting to see from him,” says Porter. The big surprise was the gold medal performance by freshman Jorge Gallegos in the triple jump (39-9 3/4). Jorge is also part of a young group of freshmen and sophomores who are providing WCHS with strong prospects in the middle and long-distance events.

Sophomore Evan Ridder (11:15.49) was fourth in the 3200m. In addition, the WCHS boys were third in the 4x400m (3:46.51) and in the 4x800m (9:13.8). Members of the 4x400m were Budde, Mehl, Gallegos and Jacob Schumacher. Competing on the 4x800m were Tyler Long, Layton Tankersley, Ridder and Gallegos. Schumacher was third in the 400m (56.14) and sophomore Gabe Fletcher was fifth in the 300m int. hurdles (44.61). The Indians will be competing at the Tribune Invitational on Friday starting at 3:00 p.m.

Record rainbow trout tips scales at 15.72 lbs. In Kansas trout waters, it’s not uncommon to drop a lure and get a bite after a few minutes, but to drop a lure, get a bite, and reel in a 15.72-pound rainbow trout is almost unheard of. That’s what angler Josh McCullough of Spring Hill experienced on Feb. 23. Fishing at Kill Creek Park Lake in Johnson County, McCullough had no idea the hook he had just fitted with a piece of Berkeley Gulp corn bait would land him a fish for the books. When McCullough’s catch surfaced, he knew this was no ordinary fish. As he landed the trout ashore, McCullough quickly realized that fish on the end of his hook could very well be a new record. McCullough grabbed his gear, snapped a few photos with a phone, and then did what any angler should do when potentially holding a new state record fish - he took it to a certified scale to get weighed. The 28.5-inch long fish tipped the scale at 15.72 pounds, a mere .29 of

a pound heavier than the former state record rainbow trout weighing in at 15.42 pounds caught by Nicole Wilson. Wilson made the books in 2012 with her catch from Lake Shawnee in Topeka. Before a new state record can be accepted, the following steps must occur: •The fish must be identified and witnessed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) district fisheries biologist or regional fisheries supervisor. •The fish must be weighed before it is frozen. •The angler must submit an official Kansas state record fish application, accompanied by a sharp, color photo of the fish. •The angler must undergo a mandatory 30-day waiting period following application. Only species listed on the KDWPT state record list will be accepted. A tissue sample may also be required.

Photo Shoot On Sat., May 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Central Kansas Photography Club of Great Bend and the KWEC will present “A Digital Photography Seminar” by Steve Traudt. Traudt demonstrates refined photography skills - taking the camera off auto, changing composition and being creative with flash, along with many other tidbits. Registration before Thurs., May 1, is $49. For students from grade school up,

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the cost is $39. Lunch will be provided for early registrants but not those who register on the day-of the event. For more information and registration, call Dan Soeke, club vice president, at 620-786-6799 or visit wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu to print and mail a registration form. For additional information about upcoming events or to register for any of these events, call the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 or visit wetlandscenter. fhsu.edu.

SCHS Track Ulysses Invitational April 4, 2014 Girl’s Division Long jump: Haley Allen, 12-8.75. Triple jump: Bailey Nickel, 32-4.75, 4th; Lizzy Eikenberry, 29-0.5; Kiana Yager, 28-8.5. Shot put: Katie Nowak, 26-1.5; Clarissa Ratzlaff, 229.75; Nancy Wiebe, 23-11.75. Discus: Nowak, 56-1; Madison Braun, 61-0; Ratzlaff, 563. Javlin: Braun, 91-2, 6th; Ratzlaff, 75-7. Pole Vault: Rachel Anliker, 8-0, 2nd. 100m: Kelly Wycoff, 12.93, 1st; Kaylene McGonagle, 14.96; Tyler Vondracek, 15.11; Paige Winderlin, 14.64. 200m: Wycoff, 26.15, 1st; Macy Berning, 30.50; Winderlin, 30.40; McGonagle, 31.33; Tyler Vondracek, 32.05. 400m: Wycoff, 58.96, 1st; Aubrey Davis, 1:07.10; Winderlin, 1:06.55; Berning, 1:07.67. 800m: Megan Thornburg, 2:34.07, 3rd; Kylee Trout, 2:55.01; Cami Patton, 2:49.72. 1600m: Trout, 6:33.00. 100m high hurdles: Nickel, 16.30, 1st. 300m low hurdles: Nickel, 49.62, 2nd. 4x100m relay: McGonagle, Thornburg, Patton, Winderlin, 56.39, 5th. 4x400m relay: Nickel, Thornburg, Davis, Wycoff, 4:17.91, 2nd.

Herrons and when fishermen get bored, Katy bar the door because you never know what antics will transpire. Seagulls are ever present on Lake Texoma and can be beneficial in showing where fish are feeding, but to this group of bored fishermen it became a challenge to try catching one on hook and line. A floating jig was tried unsuccessfully, but when a piece of live bait was added to the jig, eureka, it was gull on! The guy that hooked it said it was like flying a living kite and he played with it for awhile. Finally, feeling a little badly about hooking the thing, he began reeling it in, having no idea what kind of rodeo it might become trying to capture and unhook the critter. The hook was lodged only slightly in its boney beak, so once reeled in, restrained and unhooked, the unlucky gull was

Boy’s Division Long jump: Chantz Yager, 17-9.25; Draven McRae, 143.5. Triple jump: Cooper Griffith, 36-1.5; Abe Wiebe, 3310.75. Shot put: Matt Tuttle, 36-1.5; Tre Stewart, 36-10; Zach Groth, 34-0; Eddie Tilton, 29-7.5; Mikennon Donovan, 264.5. Discus: Evan Cardenas, 100-3; Oscar Amezcua, 78-1; Groth, 72-1; Donovan, 78-8; Tilton, 77-0. Javelin: Cardenas, 112-0. Pole Vault: Brayden Strine, 11-0, 6th; Drake McRae, 9-0; Yager, 9-0. 100m: Wyatt Kropp, 12.24; Stewart, 12.69; Josh Becker, 12.83; Kevin Lozano, 12.89; Wiebe, 13.55. 200m: Dk. McRae, 25.50; Stewart, 26.61. 400m: Strine, 52.81, 1st; Irvin Lozano, 55.12, 5th; Stewart, 57.78; Yager, 1:01.11. 800m: Miguel Chavez, 2:14.66; I. Lozano, 2:27.51; K. Lozano, 2:17.23; Jess Drohman, 2:17.97. 1600m: Oscar Armendariz, 5:07.12. 300m hurdles: Martin Gough, 44.82, 5th; Kropp, 44.10, Cimarron Invitational 2nd. April 4, 2014 Girl’s Division 4x400m relay: Kropp, Strine, Dk. McRae, Chavez, 200m: Vallie Kenfield (jr.), 3:38.71. 4x800m relay: Armendariz, Drohman, Chavez, I. Lozano, 1st, 27.16. 400m: Kenfield, 2nd, 8:47.92, 3rd. 65.01 1600m: Hannah Martin, 6th, 6:26.81 100m HH: Zahily Sandoval, 5th, 18.87 Midwest Classic Nationals 2014 4x100m: 6th, 57.67. April 5, 2014 • at Kearney, Nebr. Bangerter, Budde, B. He11-12-Years-Old mosillo, A. Ridder 119: Cale Goodman pinned by Matthew Feldner (Kear4x400m: 6th, 4:47.65. ney), 3:35; pinned Alex Hubbard (Overton), 0:44; dec. An- Bailey, Martin, Krista Paul, thony DeAnda (Columbus), 3-1; dec. by Drew Venteicher Autumn Smades Pole vault: Katie Bailey, (Independent), 4-2; pinned by Matthew Feldner (Kearney), 6th, 6-6 2:33. Sixth place Long jump: Morgen 14-15-Years-Old Budde, 6th, 14-3 3/4. 101: Zachary Tucker pinned Jacob Paczosa (Saint Paul), Triple jump: Kenfield, 0:29; tech. fall Miguel Dubs (CWC Elite), 18-1; dec. Jordan 2nd, 31-2 1/2 Kelber (Valentine), 6-1; pinned Joshua Lenker (Western Ks.), Shot put: Anna Leigh 2:02; pinned by Zachary Strait (Con Kids), 1:25; dec. Phillip Whitham, 6th, 29-9 1/2 Moomey (Kearney), 5-2. Second place Javelin: Bailey, 2nd, 1027

Wichita Co. Track

Takedown Kids Wrestling

Fishing Report Scott State Lake Updated March 14 Channel cats: fair, up to 6.5 lbs. Cutbait fished off the bottom in sun-warmed shallows has produced a few fish. Crappie: good; most up to 9 inches. Jigs fished around the fish attractors have been best. Walleye/saugeye: saugeye, fair; up to 3.6 lbs.; walleye up to 6.1 lbs. Walleye and saugeye are beginning to spawn. They can be caught casting brightly colored floating or suspending jerkbait and jigs along the dam and rip-rapped shorelines at night. Largemouth bass: slow; up to 5.5 lbs. Slow retrieving soft plastics, suspending jerkbaits, and slow-rolling spinnerbaits around structure along sunny shorelines. Trout: good; 1/2 lb. average. The fourth stocking of the season occurred on February 3 with the release of about 1,000 trout in the lake and 1,000 trout in the Barrel Springs pond. Anglers report catching a few limits out of the lake, but success has been better at the pond. Still fishing salmon eggs, corn and powerbait have all been successful. Fish have typically been running in the 13-16 inch range. Sunfish: good; up to 8 inches. Vertically fishing small jig heads tipped with small pieces of nightcrawler or whole mealworms around the fish attractors. General comments: Release all walleye/saugeye and largemouth bass less than 15 inches. Please discard all leftover bait in a trash can, even baitfish. Remember it is illegal to release any fish into public water unless it was taken from that water.

Boy’s Division 100m: Jantz Budde, 2nd, 11.6 200m: Budde, 1st, 23.56 400m: Jacob Shcumacher, 3rd, 56.14 800m: Josh Mehl, 1st, 2:06.09 1600m: Mehl, 1st, 4:38.45 3200m: Evan Ridder, 4th, 11:15.49 300m IH: Gabe Fletcher, 5th, 44.61 4x400m: 3rd, 3:46.51. Budde, Mehl, Gallegos and Schumacher 4x800m: 3rd, 9:13.8. Tyler Long, Tankersley, Lane Ridder, Gallegos Pole vault: Clark, 6th, 9-0 Triple jump: Jorge Gallegos, 1st, 39-9 3/4

The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

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stuffed under the boat seat as they headed toward the other fishermen. Pulling up close beside the other boat, the “successful” angler proudly pronounced “You should see what we caught.” All eyes looked on excitedly as they waited to see the monster fish that was obviously about to be shown them. Tossing the hapless gull toward the other boat it promptly gave flight as everyone rolled with laughter. * * * The second story is not as hilarious as the first but is more intriguing. It took place while setting bank lines for flathead catfish somewhere on a river here in Kansas. Two buddies had numerous lines set and had checked them several times during the night. Bank lines are heavy cord tied to a tree limb or something else along the river bank that will flex when

a big fish is hooked and begins to tug and tussle. They are usually baited with live fish of some sort, often a bluegill or a goldfish. It was the last check of the lines early in the morning just before they would pull them for the day. As the two approached one particular line a ruckus erupted on the bank. There was a blue heron hooked on the line! As herons do, it had swallowed either the fish being used for bait or a small fish they had caught. The large hook was now several inches down the throat of the bird. Now a blue heron may look tall and spindly, but I have little doubt that one hooked on a fishing line would be a lesson in broncobustin’ trying to free it. With the thrashing beast bulldogged and wrapped up in the arms of the storyteller, they could see by the bulge on the outside of

the heron’s throat where the hook was wedged. With the point of his knife, his buddy made a small hole where the hook appeared lodged, cut the line on the bank and pulled the rig, hook first, out through the hole in the heron’s throat. And once again, the victim flew away and lived happily ever after. Everyone in attendance last night knew that “Thou shalt not lie” is amongst the Ten Commandments, but even so we did preface the storytelling portion of the evening with the phrase “True stories are optional.” As far as I know, nowhere in the Ten Commandments does it state “Thou shalt not embellish!” Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors! Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom.net

Sams is hoping to find his role with the Wildcats Kansas State’s football team is hard at it in their spring practice routine and Coach Bill Snyder has a pleasant problem. What should he do with quarterback Daniel Sams (6-2, 210)? by Jake WaMac ters, a suStevenson perb passer. nailed down the starting job last season and he won’t be dislodged by Sams. The problem is that Sams is a far better runner than Waters and more gifted athletically. However, Sams isn’t even close to Waters in passing ability and that’s the most vital factor. Sams became upset toward the end of last season because of his lack of playing time. During K-State’s bowl preparation, Snyder said, “His emotions aren’t centered around what Jake does or doesn’t do . . . his emotions are centered on, ‘I just want to be out there.’ And that’s what you want out of the guys. You want them to want to be out there. He and I have had that discussion. And we’ve worked him at other spots as well, and will probably keep doing so.” K-State has an opening at runningback, but in Snyder’s complex system, the runningback has to be an exceptional blocker and assignment sound. Sams couldn’t switch to runningback and stay sharp at quarterback, where he will be needed if Waters is injured. A more likely possibility is switching Sams to wide receiver. He would still take some snaps at quarterback, but continue

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

to work on his receiving skills. “I don’t see any change - maybe some additional responsibilities, but not a wholesale position change,” Snyder said recently. Having a player like Sams standing on the sidelines during games isn’t an ideal situation. But trying to find playing time for an athletically gifted backup quarterback is a pleasant problem to have.

tentatively last year and lacked the necessary competitive fire, he may have matured. Heaps has passing ability and showed it on occasion last season. However, he was hindered by a mediocre offensive line and many, many drops by the receivers. Coach Charlie Weis needs to have one of his three prospects emerge as a quality quarterback who can make the Jayhawks competitive in the Big 12. KU QB Up for Grabs This coming Saturday will Reports from Kansas offer the first clue. University’s spring football camp indicate that the Bullpen Looks Shaky Jayhawks will field a forThe Kansas City Roymidable Big 12 defense als avoided another dithis fall. We’ll see. sastrous start when they KU appears to be im- evened their season record proved on offense with a at 2-2 against the Chicago number of new coaches White Sox last Saturday. and players. But college KC’s starting pitching football teams aren’t ef- has been encouraging. fective on offense without James Shields, Jason Vara talented passing quarter- gas and Bruce Chen had back. outstanding first starts and KU will wrap up spring Jeremy Guthrie survived a practice with their annual ragged beginning. Blue-White game this SatThe bullpen has been urday in Memorial Stadi- a different matter. Wade um. Davis, Tim Collins and Kansas has three lead- Aaron Crow were shaky ing candidates for the in their early efforts. Nevstarting quarterback job: ertheless, closer Greg senior Jake Heaps (6-1, Holland pitched very well 210), sophomore Montell in KC’s two wins. Cozart (6-2, 195), and In their first 29 at UCLA transfer T.J. Millbats, third baseman Mike weard (6-3, 230). Heaps and Cozart have Moustakas (15) and shortexperience at KU. Be- stop Alcides Escobar (14) tween them, Cozart is the hadn’t even stroked a loud pass-run threat and Heaps foul, let alone a hit. That won’t feed the bulldog. is the best passer. So far Moustakas is the Cozart had a disappointing freshman season, primary problem on the but in fairness to him it’s ballclub; his hitting has almost impossible for a been awful. But it’s early freshman quarterback to and he might snap out of be successful in big-time it. If he doesn’t, KC has college football. Even a significant issue at third though Cozart played base.

SERVICE AVAILABLE THE FIRST AND THIRD WEEK OF EACH MONTH.

Earth Day 2014

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‘Going green’ doesn’t have to be a difficult process

Many people want to make the additional effort to “go green,” but maybe aren’t sure where to begin. Here are a few specific ideas. •Make it a goal to decrease the amount of disposable shopping bags you take. It’s a simple step that helps reduce the millions of bags that are filling up our landfills. •Remember to always put the bags back in your car after you unload. If

you take disposable bags, you can repurpose them for trash can liners or dog pick-up bags. •Switch your monthly bills to electronic billing. Even if you print them out at home, you’ll eliminate the postage and reduce paper waste from envelopes or additional inserts. •Before you throw anything away, ask yourself if you can use it in a new way or if someone else could use it.

Environment Quiz

1) What country consumes the most energy in the world? ___ Russia ___ China ___ United States ___ Canada 2) What country produces the most energy in the world? ___ Iraq ___ Saudi Arabia ___ United States ___ Russia 3) What is the leading source of energy in the United States? ___ Coal ___ Oil ___ Nuclear power ___ Natural gas 4) Which of the following sources of energy is NOT renewable? ___ Petroleum ___ Hydropower ___ Biomass ___ Solar power 5) How much of the world’s water is available for human use? ___ 97% ___ 23% ___ 3% ___ Less than 1% 6) About how long does it take a Styrofoam cup to decompose? ___ 10 years ___ 2 months ___ 400 years ___ 150 years 7) According to the Sierra Club, what is the most polluted city in the world? ___ Los Angeles, California ___ Linfen, China ___ New Dehli, India ___ Mexico City, Mexico 8) What is the most common type of debris that litters our oceans? ___ Bags ___ Plastic beverage bottles ___ Cigarettes ___ Food packaging 9) Three Mile Island was the site of what disaster? ___ The worst nuclear explosion in the world. ___ The worst forest fires in U.S. history. ___ The worst accident in U.S. nuclear-reactor history. ___ The worst oil spill in U.S. history. 10) What is the most common type of trash thrown away by Americans? ___ Paper products and cardboard ___ Metals ___ Glass ___ Plastics Answers 1) The U.S. uses almost twice the amount of energy as the world’s second-largest energy consumer, China. 2) The United States produces about 16% of all the energy produced in the world. Russia is No. 2, at 13%. 3) Oil provides the U.S. with about 39% of its energy. 4) Petroleum is a fossil fuel. Coal and natural gas are other examples of fossil fuels. 5) Only about one-third of 1% of all water on Earth is available for human use. 6) Over 400 years. 7) Linfen, China has held the dubious distinction for a few years. 8) Volunteers for the International Coastal Cleanup removed nearly two million cigarettes and cigarette filters in their most recent effort to clear litter from the world’s oceans. 9) On March 28, 1979, at the nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, coolant (the fluid that keeps a machine cool) escaped from the reactor core due to a combination of mechanical failure and human error. 10) Paper products and cardboard account for about 39% of all trash.

Conservation fact . . .

We generate 21.5 million tons of food waste each year. If we composted that food, it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gas as taking two million cars off the road.

•Use environmentallyfriendly cleaners. If you have old cleaning supplies that contain harmful chemicals, which can contaminate the air quality in your home, you can take them to a household hazardous waste facility. •It is now easy to find eco-friendly cleaning supplies or you can make your own. •Recycle anything and everything you can. If you have to take your recy-

cling somewhere, it helps to combine it with a trip you are making for other reasons. •Start composting - it’s simple and you get free fertilizer. •If you’re replacing appliances in 2014, you can pay a little more for more efficient devices like the Energy Star models they’ll save you money in the long run. •Try to avoid buying one time use plastic water

bottles; instead opt for a refillable water bottle. Last year, in the United States alone, consumers used over 50 billion plastic water bottles. That is a lot of plastic, a percentage of which ends up in landfills. •Walk more, particularly if your destination is less than 30 minutes on foot. It’s good for your health and the environment. •Build a rain barrel to

get free water for your garden and plants. •Check for leaks in your toilet. A leaking toilet can waste anywhere between 30 and 500 gallons of water every day, so any leak should be repaired. To see if your toilet is leaking, put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the dye shows up in the toilet bowl after 15 minutes or so, the toilet has a leak.

Properly dispose of hazardous waste Facts about recycling

Household hazardous waste includes: •Insecticides, pesticides and herbicides •Paint, paint strippers, paint thinners and turpenRecycling one alumitine num can saves enough •Photographic chemielectricity to run a TV for 3 hours Recycling one glass bottle or jar saves enough electricity to light a 100watt bulb for four hours Recycling one ton of plastic saves the equivalent of 1,000–2,000 gallons of gasoline More than 30 million trees are cut down to produce a year’s supply of newspapers A ton of paper made from recycled paper saves: 7,000 gallons of water Between 17 and 31 trees 60 pounds of air pollutants Recycling a pound of steel saves enough energy to light a 60-watt light bulb for 26 hours. Americans recycle only 5% of all the plastics produced in this country. Americans use 100 million steel cans and 200 million aluminum beverage cans every day. One drip per second from a faucet wastes 540 gallons of water a year. It takes between 400 and 500 years for a Styrofoam cup to decompose. It takes an orange peel six months to decompose. Using recycled glass uses 40% less energy than making products from all new materials. Today, almost 22% of the glass produced in the United States is recycled.

cals. •Antifreeze, motor oil, batteries, gasoline, car wax and polish. •Oven cleaners, furniture polish, mothballs, spot removers, drain cleaners and silver polish.

The proper disposal of HHW is a major environmental and health issue for every Kansan. HHW should not be simply dumped down the sink inside or the storm drain outside.

Earth Day 2014

Page 25 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

Lake Scott clean-up for Earth Day Lake Scott State Park will be the site of a cleanup event to be held in recognition of Earth Day on Sat., April 26, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The event is being conducted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and

Tourism (KDWPT) and Westar Energy. Scott State Park is one of five parks around the state targeted for this firstever clean-up. Other parks include Cheney State Park, Tuttle Creek State Park (Manhattan), Clinton State Park (Lawrence) and Crawford State Park (Farlington). “Plans are to do five different parks each

year,” says Lake Scott Park Manager Greg Mills. “That would bring this back to Lake Scott again in about five years.” This is a volunteer effort with all participants receiving a t-shirt. Lunch will also be provided. Persons wanting to participate can register at www.kdheks.gov/waste/ earthday.html “We are excited to

get communities across Kansas involved in preserving the natural beauty of our state parks,” said Bill Bider, Bureau of Waste Management director who will be at Lake Scott. Those planning to take part are asked to register as soon as possible to ensure an adequate number of t-shirts and lunches are available.

Food waste accounts for one-third of carbon emissions Food you throw out does more than hurt you financially, a report from the United Nations claims it also contributes to the third highest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization report measures the environmental impact of food waste. According to the report, 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted each year. The waste essentially erases almost one-third of the land, water and other resources used to produce global food supplies.

The report considered the consequences of food waste on the climate, water and land use, and biodiversity. The wasted food equates to 3.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, an emissions total ranking behind only the total emissions of the United States and China. A majority of food wasted in the industrial world is from consumers throwing away food they don’t eat. Most of the food waste in developing countries is a result of inef-

ficient farming and a lack of proper storage facilities. “All of us - farmers and fishers; food processors and supermarkets; local and national governments; individual consumers - must make changes at every link of the human food chain to prevent food wastage from happening in the first place, and reuse or recycle it when we can’t,” said the DirectorGeneral of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) José Graziano da Silva.

According to the report, high-income regions were responsible for about 67 percent of all meat waste. Recognizing the impact of wasting resources, the focus turns to finding a solution. If the total amount of food wasted can be reduced from 30 percent, the challenge of feeding a growing world population becomes even more attainable. On top of the environmental impact, the report estimates food waste causes $750 billion in economic losses annually.

Get your spring, and your year, off to a green start Throwing open the windows on the first warm days of the year is a great feeling. Many people also find the urge to give their house a good once over, getting rid of all the clutter that has accumulated over the winter. It is easy to keep your annual scrub-down as green as possible with these tips:

First, go through and see if any of those items could serve a purpose you haven’t thought of before: Can you take the frames off those paintings and use them elsewhere? See if any of what you have can save you from buying something else. Donate Once you’ve taken stock of what you can use, separate out items that someone else might need. This includes dishes, kitchen gadgets, clothes, books, magazines, toys and home décor. All of these items could find a second life and can be donated to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store. Your house will be less cluttered and someone else will appreciate the item.

Reduce The first step to fighting messes is getting rid of all that stuff you never use. Go through all the places where it accumulates. Try closets, junk drawers, out-of-reach shelves, attics and basements, and any other place where you’re inclined to toss stuff. Separate out what you really will use someday from what you never will. Recycle Once you’ve exhausted Reuse all the other options, it’s Now you have a pile time to recycle. that you’re ready to get rid Take a second look at of, but don’t just trash it. your trash. Did you clean

out the fridge? Find a compost pile. Get rid of old electronics, from cell phones to VCRs to ancient computers, by passing them off to retailers with a recycling program or to an electronics recycler. Metal, such as old shelving or cans can be recycled. Check to see if any plastic in your pile could be recycled. You can find places to take all these items at Kansas Recycles. Cleaning Supplies Cleaning products are loaded with strong, artificial colors and fragrances and harsh cleansing agents like bleach, ammonia and acids. These chemicals can produce indoor air pollution by off-gassing toxic fumes that can irritate eyes and lungs, especially in children and pets. Try some simple D-I-Y recipes. No matter how green your sprays and scrubs may be, if you use an

entire roll of paper towels to scrub your bathroom, that is not exactly ecofriendly cleaning. And when you’re looking at a project as big as this one, you’ll want to leave little to no waste in your wake. Trade paper towels for reusable microfiber cloths or sponges. Plan Ahead If you keep these tips in mind all year, then your spring cleaning will be that much easier. Don’t let stuff accumulate in your home; don’t buy things you don’t need; and don’t be shy about returning gifts you won’t ever use. Take advantage of the seasons to edit your collections and donate or sell goods. Thinking green throughout the year will put you ahead of the game come next spring.

The Scott County Record • Page 26 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Routine

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He was the victim of two fielding errors in the fifth inning and another error in the sixth. “Gustavo did a nice job. We didn’t play defense behind him,” Baker says.

SCHS senior Oscar Armendariz leads a pack of runners during the 1600m run at Ulysses. (Record Photo)

Young Beavers post some surprising times at Ulysses One of the toughest things for newcomers into the high school track program to learn is mental toughness. “They’re capable of doing more than they realize,” says Scott Community High School head coach Jim Turner. It’s just a matter of how quickly they learn that. If the season opening track meet was any indication, it may not be as long as one might expect. Several young thinclads turned in some outstanding times that even caught Turner by surprise. “We saw some kids pushing themselves beyond what they probably thought they were capable of running,” says Turner. It began with the 4x800m where the Beavers finished third with a solid 8:47.92 - even without two expected starters. Senior Brayden Strine didn’t run on the relay and junior Brett Meyer is recovering from a hernia surgery. It was a very consistent set of times for SCHS, led by senior Oscar Armendariz (2:11.08), followed by freshman Jess Drohman (2:11.56), junior Miguel Chavez (2:12.18) and sophomore Irvin Lozano (2:13.09). “Oscar ran a very solid leadoff leg and I think Jess amazed himself,” Turner says. “Those are some pretty decent times for the first meet of the year. “Jess ran 60 on his first lap which is what we like to see. Now he has to bring that second lap down to around 67,” Turner says. “He needs to keep challenging himself.” Strine Wins 400m With Garden City and Dodge City in the field, gold medals were tough to come by for the Beavers. “Our youth was pretty evident when you’re competing against teams like Dodge and Garden,” noted

Turner. The only meet champion was Strine in the 400m (52.81) - nearly a half-second ahead of Jesus Reyes (Garden City). The senior added a sixth place finish in the pole vault (11-0), which was just six inches lower than his career best. It was a good start in the event considering the weather has prevented the thinclads from working on their jumps. Sophomore Wyatt Kropp was a silver medalist in the 300m int. hurdles (44.1) in the first time he has competed in the event. The event was won by Immanuel Galloway (43.02, Dodge City). “Wyatt needs to work on his form and that will improve as we get more time on the track,” Turner says. Likewise, senior Martin Gough also turned in a solid outing in the hurdles (5th, 44.82). Kropp ran 12.24 in the 100m to lead a huge group of Beavers. Also competing in the 100m were Tre Stewart (12.69), Josh Becker (12.83), Kevin Lozano (12.89) and Abe Wiebe (13.55). Irvin Lozano was a fifth place medalist in the 400m (55.12). In addition to their third place finish in the 4x800m, the Beavers also collected a bronze medal in the 4x400m (3:38.71). The relay included Kropp (54.7), Strine (52.95), Drake McRae (54.92) and Chavez (56.13). Even though he didn’t medal, Turner felt that junior Chantz Yager did well in the long jump (17-9 1/4), “considering it was his first high school meet.” Turning in the top performance for SCHS in the shot put was Matthew Tuttle (36-1 1/2) while Evan Cardenas led the team in the discus (100-3). Next meet for the freshmen/sophomores will be Monday at Goodland. The varsity will travel to Smoky Valley next Thursday.

Irvin Lozano takes the baton from Miguel Chavez in the 4x800m relay. (Record Photo)

Drop Nightcap Scott City jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning of the nightcap, but gave up four runs in the bottom of the third and allowed 10 more runs over the next two innings in the loss. In the top of the fourth, freshman Kyle Cure hit a one-out single, Justin Faurot walked and both runners advanced on an infield out. Aguilera kept the inning alive with a RBI single, Baker walked and Hunter Braun drove in another run with a single. Keigun Wells walked with the bases loaded and Baker scored on a wild pitch to open up the early cushion. “Part of it comes down to mental toughness and focus,” Baker says. “There are boys who take a play off. They have their hands on their knees

and aren’t concentrating on what’s happening at the plate. You can maybe get away with that in rec league but not at this level. But they’ll learn.” SCHS did show aggressiveness at the plate, giving up just five strikeouts in the two games. “And only one time did we have someone looking at a third strike,” Baker notes. The head coach is also hopeful he may have found another pitching arm with a lineup that’s short on prospects. “Justin (Faurot) pitched in the second game and he showed some potential,” says the head coach. “We need to keep working with our young pitchers and teach them to come up with an off-speed pitch. We have boys who can only throw a fast ball and it’s not all that fast.” The Beavers will be in Great West Activities Conference play on Friday at Holcomb. The double-header starts at 4:00 p.m.

Scott City Community Learning Center 620-872-3785 708 Washington

Southwest Plains Regional Service Center

Your Future Awaits!

The Scott County Record

Page 27 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

Borlaug’s legacy Kansas wheat industry is represented at Mexico summit Farmers take for granted the research that makes in possible to grow wheat that has higher yields, is resistant to certain diseases and is drought tolerant. That hasn’t always been the case. It wasn’t until an Iowa farmer established one of the top research centers in the world in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico, 69 years ago that the groundwork was established for wheat research that is considered commonplace today. Kansas Wheat Commission Chairman Ron Suppes, who farms in Scott and Lane counties, was among more than 700 wheat industry representatives from 67 nations attending the Borlaug Summit on Wheat for Food Security. It was also an opportunity for Suppes and others to visit the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) which is the premier site for wheat and maize development in the world. Those in attendance honored Norman Borlaug, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who began his research in the western Mexico state of Sonora in 1945 which eventually led to the launching of CIMMYT in 1966. “When Borlaug first started his research Mexico was having yield problems and rust was a worldwide problem,” notes Suppes. The reason Borlaug took his research to Mexico was the capability of producing two wheat crops in a single year which allowed him to more quickly introduce desired characteristics into wheat and make better varieties available to farmers around the world. Borlaug introduced these high-yielding varieties and modern agricultural production techniques which were part of the “Green Revolution.” And by 1963, Mexico had became a net exporter of wheat. Borlaug, who was called “the man who saved a billion lives,” died in 2009, but the CIMMYT research facility in Mexico and other sites around the world continues to lead the way in developing new and better wheat varieties. The trip to Mexico wasn’t more than an opportunity to honor Borlaug’s work. It was also a chance to see what research CIMMYT is conducting and to renew ties with those

Kansas Wheat Commission Chairman Ron Suppes (center) with Aaron Harries, director of marketing for Kansas Wheat, and Will Zorrilla, administrator of Earth’s Harvest in Manhattan. The three were Kansas representatives at the Borlaug Summit held in Mexico in late March.

involved in the wheat industry from around the world. Suppes said that, in some areas, research being conducted at the new Wheat Innovation Center (WIC) in Manhattan “is ahead of what they’re doing in Mexico, even though they are an international research facility.” One area in which the Wheat Innovation Center differs from CIMMYT is the focus of their research. Borlaug’s original goal was to increase yield so that more wheat would be available to feed the hungry in Third World nations. That remains the organization’s emphasis. “I was a little discouraged that the theme of the meeting seemed to be centered on yield,” Suppes says. “In Kansas, we’re interested in yield and quality. That’s essential when you’re looking at world trade. That doesn’t mean CIMMYT and the Wheat Innovation Center can’t work together. “We need to interact with these people to see what research they’re doing that we can use to improve our crops,” says Suppes. “Heat and drought tolerance are two components important to improving yield and quality.”

ment, the WIC on the Kansas State University campus does what Borlaug accomplished by taking his wheat research to Mexico - it cuts the time needed to breed a wheat variety. Under normal conditions, it takes about 10-11 years to produce a new variety of wheat. With the WIC, that time frame is cut by 4-5 years. “We’re getting to where we can create a (new) variety in three or four years,” says Suppes. Every year that can be cut in the development of a variety saves about $1 million in research costs. The WIC is the only public wheat research facility in the nation. All others are owned by private companies which also retain the rights - and thus control the sales - to the wheat varieties they produce. One goal behind the WIC was to convince these private researchers that Kansas Wheat Commission “is serious about developing wheat” and protecting the rights to that product as intellectual property. The Kansas Wheat Alliance has been created as a means of establishing patents on wheat varieties. “Producers have to pay a royalty to plant wheat,” says WIC Cuts Research Costs Suppes of varieties marketed Within a controlled environ- through the KWA. “They sign

Kansas Wheat Commission Chairman Ron Suppes and his wife, Shirley, at the Borlaug Summit in the Yakqui Valley in Mexico.

an agreement that they will not sell wheat seed to other producers.” That agreement is similar to what producers sign when they purchase seed from private companies (i.e., Monsanto), but it’s new to publicly developed varieties through K-State. Wild Wheat Varieties Bickram Gill, an internationally recognized researcher at KSU, is currently working on expanding the WIC’s supply of wild wheat seeds. His research includes looking for genes in wild wheat varieties - some of which date back 2,000 to 3,000 years - and transferring those attributes into modern varieties. The WIC has been designated by the National Science Foundation as a one-of-a-kind research site on the relatives of wheat. “These wild wheat varieties carry a gene that’s resistant to wheat streak mosaic,” Suppes says. He said the Manhattan facility has a refrigerated seed bank with varieties from all over the world. Researchers from different sites will share varieties. In addition, the WIC leases research space. Two private researchers who are growing wheat varieties in Manhattan include Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and General Mills among others. A primary goal of the WIC is to sequence the wheat genome which has already occurred with corn and soybeans. This is the process of determining the complete DNA of wheat which is much more complicated than other grains because of its long evolutionary history. Several years ago, Kansas was at the forefront of providing seed money to promote the sequencing of the wheat genome. “About 17 countries have been given chromosomes to sequence because it’s so complicated,” Suppes points out. Once the genome process is completed it will be easier for researchers to add characteristics to wheat that make it more disease resistant, drought tolerant, etc. “Kansas farmers can be proud of what they’ve helped build,” says Suppes. “The WIC is farmer-owned and a one-of-

a-kind facility in the Midwest. Anyone who hasn’t seen the facility needs to take the time.” As government funding in the U.S. is cut for this research that makes the WIC even more valuable. “If the farmers don’t do it then it won’t get done. Big companies are just starting to get back into (wheat research) because they’re finding they can make money,” says Suppes. “If we don’t continue to improve wheat yields then we’ll continue to lose acres to corn.” However, it’s been a slow process. Over the past 15 years, Suppes says yields have increased an average of only about one-half percent a year. “We’re getting closer to developing drought-resistance, but it’s slow,” he notes. “I don’t think we’re that far away from seeing a five to 10 percent increase in drought tolerant yields which is important to producers, especially in Western Kansas.” Improving Quality Producing more wheat isn’t the problem, says Suppes. “I was visiting with a man from Sudan who said his government had given him full charge to do whatever is necessary to make their country selfsufficient in wheat production,” says Suppes. As other nations get into wheat production that will create more competition. The edge that U.S. producers can maintain is in the quality of the grain. “Our quality sets us apart from most everyone else, even though it’s a little higher priced,” Suppes explains. “And our consistency is a strong factor. Buyers know what they can expect year after year from Kansas.” Suppes also feels that if Borlaug were alive today he would embrace genetically modified wheat, as did most scientists attending the recent summit. “That’s the reason why Lima and Bayer are doing research here, because of resistance to GM varieties in their countries,” says Suppes. “It’s easy for those countries to say they want organic - that they don’t want GM - because they aren’t hungry. We need to give people in Africa and other parts of the world a choice.”

The Scott County Record

Farm

Page 28 - Thursday, April 10, 2014

Ag census: No surprises in Kansas, national farm trends In 1840, the first census of agriculture was conducted in the United States, in conjunction with the population census. That first census, which included 26 states and the District of Columbia, showed that about 70 percent of the population reported being engaged in agriculture, according to the USDA. Sixty years later, in 1900, more than 60 percent of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. The USDA’s current estimates (http://www.csrees. usda.gov/qlinks/extension. html) show that about two percent of the U.S. population farms for a living, and

only 17 percent live in rural areas. The census of agriculture was once conducted every 10 years, but the USDA now conducts it every five years. The 2012 census of agriculture preliminary data was released Feb. 20. The data shows that Kansas is following many of the national trends fewer farms, less land in farms, more diverse and older principal farm operators, and an increased value of agricultural production. So, despite having less land and resources, U.S. farmers and ranchers have increased production over time. “The Census of

Agriculture is a complete accounting of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them,” said Jason Lamprecht, Kansas’ state statistician of the Northern Plains Region for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). More than three million questionnaires were mailed across the United States for the census conducted in late December 2012. A farm, according to the USDA, is any place that produced or had the potential to produce at least $1,000 of agricultural products during the census year. Respondents were required

by law to complete the questionnaire, either by mail or online. Lamprecht said he knows it takes a lot of time to fill out the questionnaires, especially for diverse or large operations, and he appreciates all of the farmers and ranchers, particularly those in the state of Kansas, for filling them out. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to put out a census like this together for decisions to be made correctly, to be able to use the real data to make decisions at federal, state and local government levels,” he said.

Ks. corn stocks up 31% from ‘13

Kansas corn stocks in all positions on March 31 totaled 221 million bushels, up 31 percent from 2013, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 68 million bushels are stored on farms, double a year ago. Offfarm stocks, at 153 million bushels, are up 14 percent from last year. Wheat stored in all positions totaled 183 million bushels, down 27 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 5.40 million bushels are down 43 percent from 2013 and off-farm stocks of 178 million bushels are down 26 percent from last year. Sorghum stored in all positions totaled 103 million bushels - nearly double the holdings of 2013. On-farm stocks of 7.50 million are up 15 percent and off-farm holdings of 95.4 million are up 104 percent from last year

(See CENSUS on page 36)

No winner in range war between feds, ranchers Across the rugged frontier of the Western United States, thousands of livestock ranchers work each day to care for their livestock and also care for the land. In the case of many western ranchers, there is a good chance that at least part the land their cattle graze is owned by the federal government.

Ag Commentary Mary Soukup editor

Drovers CattleNetwork

A good chance because the federal government owns roughly 660 million acres across the United States, including one out of every two acres in the

West. Of the nation’s federally-owned lands, more than 90 percent are located in the West. Some of that land is in national parks or other historic areas, some is leased for oil and gas exploration, some for recreation, but some of it is leased to individuals to graze livestock on throughout parts

of the year. Livestock ranchers pay a grazing fee of $1.35 per animal unit month, or the amount of forage needed to sustain one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats for a month. The figure is adjusted each year according to current private grazing land lease rates, beef cattle prices

K-State’s Barnaby answers questions about new farm bill

As a professor in Kansas State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, Art Barnaby has given countless presentations and fielded even more questions about managing risk over the years. And the questions continue as details of the new farm bill unfold. It’s clear that farmers have important choices to make in the coming months, not the least of which is the decision to choose one of

Barnaby’s answers to questions he’s been asked on the five-year Agricultural Act of 2014, are available online at www.agmanager.info/crops/insurance/ risk_mgt/rm_html14/AB_ Questions1.asp

two safety net programs, the Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage. That is what Barnaby has been asked most - which is the best option? Agriculture Risk Coverage covers what farmers would lose before

their regular crop insurance kicks in. It provides protection when crop revenue falls 14 percent below a five-year rolling Olympic (high and low removed) average benchmark. The producer chooses whether the benchmark is based on county yield X crop year average prices or his or her individual crop yield X price. With Price Loss Coverage, farmers will receive payments if the

crop price falls below certain “reference” prices. “ARC is effectively a free revenue insurance guarantee and the PLC is a free put, with the government paying the entire premium costs,” said Barnaby, who is a risk management specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “At current crop prices, the market is saying the ARC has more value than PLC, but that does not guarantee that ARC will (See BARNABY on page 29)

Odds favor the return of El Niño There’s a 70 percent chance El Niño will return to the United States this year, and early data suggests it could be warming up to be a mighty one. “We have above-normal temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean and that often precedes an El Niño because there’s a large volume of aboveaverage water temperature below the surface of the ocean,” says Anthony

Barnston, chief forecaster for the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. “Volume often tends to come up to the surface; often, but not always,” Branston says. “That’s the uncertainty. It’s more likely to rise than not.” Barnston suggests El Niño will likely occur between April and June and last until the start of 2015.

Globally, the return of El Niño could make 2014 the warmest year on record, with billions of dollars in losses for food crops. It could also increase drought in Indonesia and ignite more wildfires in Australia. Domestically, however, El Niño could bring a wetter-than-normal season on the West Coast and in the South. Though it would be welcomed relief

from the current drought conditions plaguing these areas, it could also lead to flooding and mudslides. The last big El Niño event was 1997-1998, which ended up causing $3 billion in agricultural damage. In early March, federal forecasters issued an “El Niño watch,” indicating a 50 percent chance El Niño would develop this summer or fall.

and the cost of livestock production. The $1.35 per AUM is the same level as it was in 2013. Federal lands ranchers are also responsible for managing the land and resources, including caring for wildlife habitat, managing noxious weeds, and decreasing potential wildfire fuels. While the

relationship between the federal government and ranchers is a well-understood business agreement in most cases, for one Nevada rancher, the relationship has turned south. Over the past couple of weeks, the story of Cliven Bundy and his family’s (See RANGE on page 29)

Market Report Closing prices on April 8, 2014 Winona Feed and Grain Bartlett Grain Wheat.................. $ 7.18 Wheat.................. $ 7.19 White Wheat ...... $ 7.31 White Wheat ...... $ 7.19 Milo .................... $ 4.79 Milo (bu.)............. $ 4.79 Corn ................... $ 5.02 Corn.................... $ 5.02 Soybeans ........... $ 14.07 Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 7.19 White Wheat ....... $ 7.19 Milo (bu.)............. $ 4.79 Corn.................... $ 5.02 Soybeans ........... $ 14.08 Sunflowers.......... $ 16.95 ADM Grain Wheat.................. White Wheat ....... Milo (bu.)............. Corn.................... Soybeans............ Sunflowers..........

$ 7.22 $ 7.22 $ 4.84 $ 5.07 $ 14.03 $ 17.50

Weather April 1

H 60

L 26

April 2

April 3

April 4

April 5

.06

April 6

.21

April 7

.10

Moisture Totals April 2014 Total

.37 1.64

Farmers intend to plant 4.4 million acres to corn

Kansas corn growers intend to plant 4.40 million acres this year, up two percent from 2013, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Soybean planted acreage is expected to be 3.90 million acres, up eight percent from last year. Winter wheat seeded in the fall of 2013 is estimated at 9.30 million acres, down two percent from a year earlier. Sorghum growers in Kansas intend to plant 2.70 million acres, down 13 percent from a year ago. All hay acreage to be harvested is expected to total 2.65 million acres, down four percent from last year’s acreage. Sunflower producers expect to plant 77,000 acres, up 8 percent from 2013. Oil type varieties account for 55,000 acres, unchanged from a year ago. Non-oil varieties made up the balance of 22,000 acres, up 38 percent. Oat intentions are estimated at 65,000 acres, down 35 percent from last year. Cotton producers expect to plant 36,000 acres, up 33 percent from last year. Estimates are based on a survey conducted during the first two weeks of March.

Corn sales hit 10-week low

For the second consecutive week, the USDA’s weekly export sales report showed a drop in corn net sales, down 31 percent from the previous week to 658,700 metric tons for 2013/2014. This is 30 percent below the four-week average and a new 10-week low. Increases in sales were reported for South Korea and Japan. Shop at home!

Barnaby pay more than PLC on corn and soybeans.” He acknowledged, however, that it’s unclear if there is a best plan ARC or PLC - because producers will not sign up until this fall or later. “The program that will pay the most will be determined by price and yield. By sign-up, we will know the wheat yield and half of the marketing year average wheat price on the 2014 crop. We will also have a good estimate of the yields for spring-

Range decades’ old battle with the federal government has come to a head and a “range war” has begun. Bundy and his family previously held grazing permits on approximately 600,000 acres in an area owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management called Gold Butte. In 1998, this land was declared habitat for the desert tortoise, which is protected under the Endangered Species Act, making it off limits for cattle grazing. The Bundy’s battle with the BLM started five years earlier. The family stopped paying the federal grazing fee for the land in 1993. According to Bundy, he owes, but refuses to pay, back fees totaling approximately $300,000. BLM, however, estimates that figure is more than $1 million.

The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

(continued from page 28)

planted crops, so all this could change.” Barnaby said if longterm price forecasts by the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) hold true for the 2014 and 2015 crops, payments would be generated under the countyARC program compared to PLC, but that trend reverses in the later years of the five years that the new law is in effect. Higher yields reduce or eliminate ARC payments,

and most estimates are based on long-run average trend yields, he said. “So a very risk averse person might be willing to forego county-ARC payments in the early years to avoid a catastrophic price decline in the years 2017 and 2018 when PLC might generate higher payments than countyARC,” he said. “Most farmers are accustomed to risk and I doubt that catastrophic price protection will be the deciding factor.”

(continued from page 28)

In July 2013, Bundy was issued a third Court Order directing him to remove his livestock from the land within 45 days. The family refused to comply with the order. The round-up and seizure of cattle began last week, and as of April 7, the BLM had impounded 134 head of Bundy’s 908 “trespass cattle.” Both the Bundy family and the BLM have cited threats being made against them. Neither appear to be backing down and emotions are running high. So who’s at fault? If the family has held grazing permits for generations, they should know the rules they are expected to follow. However, it’s unclear why such force by the federal government is necessary to enforce the law.

This case involving the Bundy family and BLM may be grabbing headlines, but it is not indicative of the overall industry. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to define federal lands ranching. That would be a true loss.

‘Nuisance sites’

The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Toy, Antique, Household and Coin Saturday, April 19 • 10:00 a.m.

Location: William Carpenter 4-H building, at the fairgrounds, north edge of Scott City Cora Lee Park - Owner

107 Court

1513 South Myrtle The Scott City Council has served notice to five property owners that maintenance of their property is in violation of the city’s nuisance code. Two property owners have begun cleanup steps while three property owners, as of Monday, had yet to take any action or request a hearing with the council. Those three locations are 1524 S. College, 1513 S. Myrtle and 107 Court St. The council has served notice that if action is not taken city crews will begin clean-up at the sites on April 21.

Toys Road Legends: Ford 1934 pickup – scale 1:18 Ertl Collectibles: 1910 Texaco tanker coin bank First Gear: 1955 Diamond T Tanker scale 1:34 Road Legends: Ford 1934 pickup wrecker scale 1:18 Coastal 1925 Kenworth stake truck with barrels coin bank – scale 1:34 Gearbox: 1920 special edition Ford Texaco coin bank with pump scale 1:24 Terlingua Racing Team Shelby Collectible diecast Cobra car scale 1:18 Sunstar: 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 scale 1:18 Hot Wheels: stock car cruiser limited edition 2004 Ford F150 scale 1:18 Ertl: 1905 Ford delivery car bank scale 1:25 1944 Ford Pepsi pickup 1940 Ford Mountain Dew truck Ertl: 1959 Chevy El Camino bank Red Box: 1937 customized version Ford pickup collector’s edition scale 1:24 Big A Auto parts: 1929 Ford Model A wrecker bank Red Box: 1940 customized Ford pickup collector’s edition scale 1:24 Ertl: 1957 Caterpillar Chevy state truck scale 1:25 Coca Cola: 1953 delivery truck bank Ertl: 1931 Hawkeye crate bank scale 1:34 Sentry Hardware: 1931 Panel Delivery limited edition bank scale 1:25 Ertl: 1912 open front panel Ford Motor Company bank scale 1:25 Big A Auto Parts: 1956 Ford pickup 1931 Ford Model A Roadster and 1925 Ford Model T Runabout First Gear: 1951 Ford F-6, Full Rack Stake Truck with barrels scale 1:34 Cabelas Ford F250 pickup scale 1:34 Signature Models: 1923 Ford Model TT scale 1:32 Ertl: 1940 True Value Ford pickup bank scale 1:25 Road Signature: 1964 Ford Falcon scale 1:18 Road Legends: 1955 Ford Thunderbird scale 1:18 Motor Max: 1940 Ford pickup scale 1:24 First Gear: 1953 Ford C-600 with tanker body scale 1:34 Revell Monogram: Ford Expedition First Gear: NAPA 1949 International Model KB-8 Spec-cast Ford Model A pickup bank scale 1:25 Ertl: Ford Model T Liberty Classics: Lorrie Morgan – Ford Model A bank First Gear: 1951 Ford F-6 full rack stake truck scale 1:34 Maisto Special Edition: 1992 Ford Explorer scale 1:24 First Gear: NAPA 1937 Chevy tow truck Liberty Classic: tractor trailer Road Legends: 1953 Ford pickup scale 1:18 Franklin Mint: 1957 Ford Skyliner Ertl: 1931 Hawkeye Flatbed and tractor and 1913 Ford T Van bank honoring 47 years of leadership Road Legends: 1957 Chevy Corvette scale 1:18 First Gear: Ford F650 with Miller Industries slide back carrier Revell: 1955 Ford Thunderbird scale 1:18 Road Signature Series: 1948 Ford Woody scale 1:18 Crown Jewel: NAPA 1935 Chevy Tow Truck scale 1:24 Road Signature Series: 1914 Ford Model T Fire Engine scale 1:18 Motor City Classic: 1931 Ford Model A scale 1:18 Crown Jewel: NAPA 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Street

Rod scale 1:24 Century Hardware: 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe scale 1:24 First Gear: Triple A 1956 Ford F100 pickup scale 1:25 Ertl: Coast to Coast 1925 Kenworth wrecker Timeless Classics: 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria scale 1:18 Burago: 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe scale 1:18 Ertl: Kerr-McGee Limited Edition Douglas DC-3 plane Sprouts Vintage green truck Road Legends: 1953 Ford F100 Wrecker scale 1:18 First Gear: Ford F650 XLT Super Duty Sun Star: 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Crown Jewel: Hemmings Motor News 1934 Ford Tow truck scale 1:24 Nylint: NAPA Sound Machine Race Day Semi Mira: 1964 ½ Ford Mustang scale 1:18 Anheuser Busch 1932 Stearman bi-plane City Force: Rescue Team Ambulance 1956 Ford Thunderbird Sun Star: 1968 Mercury Cougar XR scale 1:18 Sun Star: 1963 Ford Falcon Futura convertible scale 1:18 Ertl: John Deere 1953 Ford Delivery Truck Ertl: Massey Harris 44 Tractor – scale 1:16 Ertl: Farmall 420 tractor scale 1:16 Ertl: Super M-TA Farmall scale 1:16 Spec Cast: Oliver Farm equipment – scale 1:16 Ertl: John Deere 1956 Ford pickup Sunny Side: 1937 Superior Ford pickup scale 1:24 Ertl: John Deere Moline vintage truck/tractor set scale 1:32 Ertl: John Deere 1927 Graham Panel Van Delivery Ertl: John Deere 1966 Ford pickup bank Ertl: John Deere Model E Engine – scale 1:6 Ertl: John Deere 1915 Model R Waterloo boy collector’s edition scale 1:16 Ertl: Case “Vac” tractor scale 1:16 Ertl: John Deere 1953 Model D tractor collector’s edition Ertl: 1904 Knox Delivery Wagon Ertl: John Deere Truck bank – scale 1:34 Ertl: International T-340 tractor – scale 1:16 Ertl: Case IH AFX 8010 Combine – scale 1:32 Coca Cola Ford Plateau Truck American Graffiti: 1974 Ford Maverick Grabber scale 1:24 1958 F110 Ford truck ornament Gouef Evolution: Ford Mustang GTscale 1:18 Maisto: Premiere collection – Ford 1:18 Thunderbird show car scale 1:18 Racing Champions limited edition: 1949 Mercury scale 1:24 Ertl: Texaco 1919 GMC Tanker Truck Revell: Frank Bullitt’s 1968 Ford Mustang scale 1:25 Road Signature Series: 1938 Ford Fire Engine scale 1:24 Ertl: 1968 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet scale 1:18 Revell: American Graffiti The Mysterious Blonde’s 1956 Ford Thunderbird scale 1:25 Welly: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 scale 1:18 Elite: 2007 Shelby GT 500 scale 1:18 Road Legend: 1955 Ford Thunderbird scale 1:18 Maisto: Special Edition 1972 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 scale 1:18 Case 1680 Axle Flow Combine Caterpillar fork lift Komatsu fork lift Case DC 4 Tractor Old green tractor Case 800 Diesel tractor Gehl 602 backhoe John Deere 8960 tractor Oliver Row Crop 70

tractor Oliver trailer Yellow dump truck John Deere dirt mover Tonka backhoe Remote control John Deere tractor Ford Sun tractor Case 2255 C90 tractor with scoop John Deere General purpose tractor International Tractor with trailer International 3294 Tractor with sweeps Maisto: 1992 Ford Explorer scale 1:24 Maisto: 1992 Ford Explorer scale 1:24 Eligor: 1932 Ford V8 pickup - quantity-3 Eligor: Ford V8 1932 Roadster Capote John Deere sweeps Case of Spec Model cars Ertl: John Deere 310 SJ Backhoe loader Liberty: 1940 Ford bank Ertl: John Deere 400D Articulated Dump truck Ertl: John Deere 624 K Wheel loader John Deere A with baler fork John Deere Waterloo boy Kerosene Tractor John Deere 12A combine John Deere 12A combine 1931 Hawkeye Flatbed/ Farmall 350 Tractor 1940 3rd edition 1:25 scale Golden Rule Lumber truck bank Hall of Fame Collection 1951 Ford tow truck 1:25 scale Hall of Fame Collecttion: 1951 Ford fuel tanker 1:25 scale Hall of Fame Collection: 1951 Ford bottle truck 1:25 scale Liberty Classic Model A bank 1967 Ford Shelby GT 500 1:32 scale Ertl: John Deere pickup truck 1:32 scale Special Edition Maisto 1:24 scale, 2006 Ford Fusion 1998 Limited Edition Kenny Erwin racecar 1937 Ford Convertible 1:18 scale Hall of Fame: 1951 Ford Stake Truck (US mail truck) 1948 F1 Ford pickup 1:18 scale 1948 Tucker Deluxe Edition 1:18 scale 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Maisto-1997 Ford F150 Flair Side pickup 1:26 scale Model A pickup bank Model A delivery van bank 1948 Ford F1 pickup bank Kenny Schroeder Nascar racecar Rusty Wallace racecar Auto Transport Semi WIX 1951 Ford truck 1993 Honda Civic Ricky Rudd racecar 1955 Chevy Cameo 3100 V8 Limited Ed. Red and blue Ford Sales and Service Light blue Ford roadster 1957 Ford Limited Edition Ford V8 1:19 scale (black) Red 1939 Chevy Coupe 1:24 scale 1932 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster bank (True Value) 3-Ford Model A Limited Edition Big A Auto Parts bank Ford Model T Blish-Mize Model T van bank Model T van Montgomery Ward bank 1948 Ford Quality Care van 1931 Hawkeye Coors bank R365 High runner semi with US plane 2-Hubley Kiddie Toy (Yellow and a green car) Ford V8 1:19 scale Texaco fuel truck 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow Tonka fire engine with ladder Dodge Ram 2500 (plastic) 1955 Ford T-bird (red) Ford Escape 1999 Mustang GT 1956 Ford (Jody’s Garage) 1948 Ford F1 pickup with trailer Richmond Ford Motor Co. blue car Plastic Mach 1 Mustang 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt

1951 Ford fuel truck 1905 Ford delivery car bank (Trust Worthy Hardware Store) Plastic truck 1994 Ford Ranger 4 x 4 1918 Model T Ambulance 1920 Model T Rust Ford Explorer Yellow 1994 Mustang GT 1956 Ford pickup truck bank 1994 Ford Mustang GT (red) Green hydraulic dump truck Jody’s Garage flatbed car hauler 4-car models put together Ford F Series 50 years white semi Red Carpet Lease Racing semi Mountain State Transport truck Yellow Hummer H2 Maroon F150 Ford pickup 1993 Dodge Intrepid 1955 Chevy Sidestep 1959 Chevy Impala Antique and Collectibles Collectors plates Vintage glassware Advertising glasses: Coors, Ford, JD, A&W Barbie’s, new in box Old lunch boxes 6-Monterey western cups Antique jars Hop-a-long Cassidy mug Oil lamps Barn lanterns Old fan Crocks, jugs and churn Smoking memorabilia and tins Cook books Cigarette lighters Tobacco tins and cutter Sad irons Griswold # cast iron skillet Oak rocking chair Baseball bats Old magazines Oliver tractor sales clock Wash tubs Old barometer Washboards Enamelware Mantle clock, electric Small oak entry table Cast iron gas pump bank (old) Car and motorcycle license tags Old Coors neon light up\ sign Salt and Pepper shake collection and more Other Items and Glider rocker Vintage book shelves and racks Picnic table Hand tools Tap and die set Delta band sander Scroll saw Socket sets Craftsman router and bits Small electric hand tools Small parts assortment Nut and bolt assortment Wooden work bench with vise Rigid pipe threader Shovels, rakes, hoes, etc. Floor jack Other tools and shop items Coins Indian head pennies Steel pennies V nickels Buffalo nickels 2-1838 half dimes 3-Franklin half dollars Walking Liberty half dollars 1913 Barber half dollar Barber quarter 1888, 1896, 1921 Morgan silver dollars 1921 and 1922 Peace silver dollars Old Foreign coins Tokens Rolls of 1964 pennies from Federal Reserve bank 1883,1890,1891 Carson City Silver Dollars 1959 to 1964 Philadelphia mint set and other mint sets Proof sets First Commemorative Mint Liberty head nickels 1858 Flying Eagle cent 1858 Flying Eagle counter stamp cent 6-Flying Eagle cents, no dates Silver Certificates 1935 G (6) 1935 F (5) 1935 E (4) 1957 (7) 1957 A Alpha Series 1957 B Alpha Series Kennedy half dollars Many other coins

Terms: Must have ID to register. Cash or approved check day of sale. Everything sold as is. No warranties expressed or implied. Not responsible for theft or accident. Announcements day of sale take precedence over printed material. Check us out: www.berningauction.com and facebook

The Scott County Record • Page 31 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Park Place People

by Doris Riner and Mary Plum

Did I welcome the Taylors, Don and Cathrine, last week? If I did, then it wouldn’t hurt to welcome them twice for all of us are twice as happy now to have them as members of our Park Place family. Our other newest member, Etta Fern Ashcraft, Limon, Colo., is out and around and trying to put names with faces. She’s also found her place at the dinner table. What a surprise Saturday was! Every outsider coming to morning coffee had winter coats and caps on, plus gloves, coming inside saying “Brother! It’s cold outside.” My geranium plant full of ready-to-bloom flowers is keeping me well-exercised, putting it out on the patio in the mornings and bringing it inside every evening. I was so glad it was inside that cold night. Word going around is people are really enjoying and appreciating the movies George Evans shows every Sunday night on the big screen in our “movie room.” Arlene Cauthon’s visitors this last week were Barbara McKinney, Barb Wilkenson, Mary Ann Unruh, and Bill and Bob Novak who took “Mom” out for supper. Did any of you write a letter on April 4, 2014? I did. Visiting Betty Ohneck last week were Lynett Payne, Pueblo, Colo.; Marlyn Ohneck, Rocky Ford, Colo.; and George Andrasek. Recent overnight guests of Elvira Billinger were her son, Benny, and wife, Dalana, and her daughter, Connie Bonwell and granddaughter, Rene, all of Garden City, and Elvira’s son, Zeb, of Andale. Edwin Allen’s daughter, Jana Miller, Hays, came to see him. Margaret Lee is getting excited for her daughter, Sharilyn, to arrive for the summer in May. Her daughter, Mary, visits every day. Margaret is getting ready for Easter. Edith Donecker’s visitors have been Sue Rogers, and Krystal Frank and her daughter, Charolett. Don and Judy Browning called on Edith Sunday afternoon. Terry and Bonnie Donecker also visited.

Friendship ‘Meals to Go’ available from the VIP Center Individual frozen/sealed trays • Good for special diets only $3.25/meal • Call 872-3501

Attend the Church of Your Choice

Don’t Live Like it is Saturday

I read an article some years back talking how Christians are living like it is Saturday. The title of the article didn’t seem so bad. I mean, who doesn’t like a Saturday? We work all week and look forward to a day off. But it wasn’t talking about how Christians are enjoying life, relaxing or getting things done. It was talking about the Saturday before resurrection Sunday. I had never thought about how brutal that day must have been for the followers of Jesus. They had just seen their leader crucified to death and placed in a tomb the day before. I’m sure everything from Friday night through Sunday morning was just miserable. They were probably questioning whether if what they had been doing the last few years was really worth it? Were they scammed? They were probably wondering what’s next? Where do they go from here? I can’t imagine the people who went from being so filled with hope to hopelessness more than the followers of Christ on that Saturday. The writer of the article stated that much of our life on earth is spent like that Saturday. Things happen in our life that suck the life right out of us. Maybe it’s losing a job, getting sick, a relationship ending, a death of someone close or anything else that makes you feel beat up and hopeless. Most of us can relate to one of these examples. This writer said these are what make people live like it is Saturday before the resurrection. Sometimes all we focus on are the negative parts of life. It sucks the life out of us, it robs our joy and makes us feel hopeless. But unlike the followers of Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago, we know that it all got better on Sunday. We know that those who were hopeless on that Saturday were filled with more hope than ever before because of the resurrection. It changed everything. The mission was back on. They didn’t waste their time following Jesus. He was who He said He was. You see the resurrection should change everything for us as well. It should provide hope in hopeless situations. It should comfort us when we mourn. It should bring us joy when other things bring us heartache. The resurrection changed everything because now we don’t have to live in “Saturdays” but we live every day like it is Sunday. Because of the resurrection, nothing can take your joy. I hope you live a life full of hope because Sunday isn’t coming, it is here. It has been accomplished. Celebrate it. Celebrate life because of the resurrection. Pastor Shelby Crawford Community Christian Church, Scott City

Scott City Assembly of God

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

St. Joseph Catholic Church

A Catholic Christian Community 1002 S. Main Street - Scott City Fr. Bernard Felix, pastor • 872-7388 Secretary • 872-3644 Masses: 1st Sunday of month - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Other weekends: Sat., 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1:30 p.m.

Pence Community Church

Prairie View Church of the Brethren

4855 Finney-Scott Rd. - Scott City - 276-6481 Pastor Jon Tuttle Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship • Wednesday mornings Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Held at Precision Ag Bldg. west of Shallow Water

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

1102 Court • Box 283 • Scott City 620-872-2294 • 620-872-3796 Pastor Warren Prochnow holycross-scott@sbcglobal.net Sunday School/Bible Class, 9:00 a.m. Worship every Sunday, 10:15 a.m. Wed.: Mid-Week School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Community Christian Church

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

12th & Jackson • Scott City • 872-3219 Shelby Crawford, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday: God’s High School Cru, 7:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church

Immanuel Southern Baptist Church

803 College - Scott City - 872-2339 Kyle Evans, Senior Pastor Bob Artz, Associate Pastor

1398 S. US83 - Scott City - 872-2264 Robert Nuckolls, pastor - 872-5041

Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.

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

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

Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.

Gospel Fellowship Church 120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Larry Taylor, pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

First Christian Church

1st United Methodist Church

5th Street and College - Scott City - 872-2401 Dennis Carter, pastor 1st Sunday: Communion and Fellowship Sunday Services at 9:00 a.m. • Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. All Other Sundays • Worship: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday casual 6:30 p.m.: “The Way” contemporary gathering Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. • MYF (youth groups) on Wednesdays Jr. High: 6:30 p.m. • Sr. High: 7:00 p.m.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

701 Main - Scott City - 872-2937 Scotty Wagner, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday is Family Night Meal: 5:45 p.m. • Study: 6:15 p.m. Website: www.fccscottcity.org

Elizabeth/Epperson Drives • Scott City • 872-3666 Father Don Martin Holy Eucharist - 11:45 a.m. St. Luke’s - 872-5734 (recorded message) Senior Warden Bill Lewis • 872-3347 or Father Don Martin - (785) 462-3041

Scott Mennonite Church

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

12021 N. Eagle Rd. • Scott City Franklin Koehn: 872-2048 Charles Nightengale: 872-3056 Sunday School Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.

9th and Crescent - Scott City - 872-2334 Bishop Irvin Yeager • 620-397-2732 Sacrament, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:50 a.m. Relief Society and Priesthood, 11:20 a.m. YMYW Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.

The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

The Scott County Record Professional Directory

There’s no better way to reach your potential customers in Scott County and the surrounding areas.

Agriculture

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

Sager’s Pump Service • Irrigation • Domestic • Windmills • Submersibles

Cell: 874-4486 • Oﬃce 872-2101

Construction/Home Repair

CHAMBLESS ROOFING Residential

All Types of Roofing

Commercial

Cedar Shake and Shingle Specialists Return to Craftsmanship Attention to Detail and Quality Guaranteed 620-872-2679 • 1-800-401-2683

Dirks Earthmoving Co. Precision Land Forming of terraces and waterways; feed lot pens and ponds; building site preparation; lazer equipped

Richard Dirks • Scott City, Ks. (Home) 872-3057 • 877-872-3057 (Cell) 872-1793

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

Medical

ELLIS AG SERVICES • Custom Manure Conditioning • Hauling and Spreading • Custom Swathing and Baling • Rounds-Net or Twine • Gyp and Sand Sales • Pickup or Delivery Call Brittan Ellis • 620-874-5160

Automotive

Charles Purma II D.D.S. P.A.

Willie’s Auto A/C Repair

General Dentistry, Cosmetics, and Insurance Accepted

Willie Augerot Complete A/C Service Mechanic Work and Diagnostics Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

We welcome new patients. 324 N. Main • Scott City • 872-2389 Residence 872-5933

404 Kingsley • Scott City • 874-1379

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

Red

Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center

Specializing in all coatings

t Paint i or any other color

(Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”... Technology Lead Chiropractic

Paint inside and out residential, commercial, and industrial. Free estimates and 16 plus years of experience.

Landscaping • Lawn/Trees

Berning Tree Service David Berning • Marienthal

620-379-4430

Tree Trimming and Removal Hedge and Evergreen Trimming Stump Removal

Fully Insured

PC Painting, Inc.

Dr. James Yager • Dr. Marlyn Swayne Dr. Robert Fritz

Paul Cramer 620-290-2410 620-872-8910 www.pcpaintinginc.com

110 W. 4th St. • Scott City • 872-2310 Toll Free: 800-203-9606

Pro Ex II

Over 20 Years Experience

Professional Extermination Commercial & Residential

• Termites • Rodents • Soil Sterilization • Pre Treats • Lawn Care • Fly Parasites

John Kropp, Owner • Scott City 874-2023 (cell) • 872-3400 (office) • prox2@live.com

Scott City Myofascial Release Sandy Cauthon RN

105 1/2 W. 11th St. Scott City 620-874-1813

Call me to schedule your Myofascial Release

Call today for a Greener Healthier Lawn

SPENCER PEST CONTROL RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL Termite Baiting Systems • Rodents Weed Control • Structural Insects Termite Control

Owner, Chris Lebbin • 620-214-4469

Box 258, Scott City • (620) 872-2870

Turner Sheet Metal

Heating & Air Conditioning

Heating & Cooling Systems Since 1904 Commercial & Residential 1851 S. Hwy. 83 • Scott City 872-2954 Shop • 1-800-201-2954

Ron Turner Owner

Dr. Jeffrey A. Heyd Optometrist 20/20 Optometry

Treatment of Ocular Disease • Glaucoma Detection Children’s Vision • Glasses • Contact Lenses

Complete family eye center! 106 W. 4th • Scott City • 872-2020 • Emergencies: 872-2736

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

Professional Directory Continued

Scott City Clinic Daniel R. Dunn, MD Family Practice

The Scott County Record • Page 33 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

872-2187

Fur-Fection

Matthew Lightner, MD Family Practice

Christian E. Cupp, MD William Slater, MD Family Practice

Libby Hineman, MD Family Practice

Josiah Brinkley, MD Family Practice

General Surgeon

Megan Dirks, AP, RN-BC Ryan Michels, PA Mindy Schrader, PA

Retail

COMPARE OUR PRICES!

We have Reverse Osmosis units in stock. Remember us for parts in stock for all brands of all appliances.

508 Madison • Scott City • 872-3686

Networktronic, Inc.

Computer Sales, Service and Repair Custom computers! Networking solutions! Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 402 S. Main, Scott City • 872-1300

Brent Rogers

Sales Consultant b.rogers@officesolutionsinc.biz

Truck Driving

C O N T R A C T SALESPERSONS to sell aerial photography of farms,.Commission basis, $1,200-$2,500 weekly depending on sales experience. Travel required. More info at msphotosd. com or call 877/882-3566. ––––––––––––––––––––– WA S T E WAT E R / WATER operator for City of Anthony, Ks. High school diploma/GED and valid driver’s license required. Applications and complete job description: www.anthonykansas. org. 620-842-5434. EOE. Open until filled.

DRIVE-AWAY ACROSS the USA even if you don’t own a car. 22 pickup locations. Call 866-764-1601 or www.qualitydriveaway. com. ––––––––––––––––––––– TRAIN AND WORK for us. Class A-CDL. Professional and focused CDL training available. Choose between company driver, owner/operator, lease operator or lease trainer. (877) 369-7885. www. centraltruckdrivingjobs. com ––––––––––––––––––––– PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE. OTR drivers. APU equipped PrePass EZ-pass passenger policy. 2012 and newer equipment. 100% notouch. Butler Transport, 1-800-528-7825. www. butlertransport.com ––––––––––––––––––––– EXPERIENCED FLATBED drivers. Regional opportunities now open with plenty of freight and great pay. 800-277-0212 or primeinc.com ––––––––––––––––––––– EXPERIENCED CLASS A OTR drivers. Clean MVR. Run the Midwest and west coast. No east coast. Scheduled home time, No-touch freight. New Kenworth T660. Competitive pay and benefits. Call 800645-3748.

YOUR LAND is your down payment. And we’ll match your tax refund up to $8,000. Singles starting at $39,900. Doubles starting at $59,900. Less than perfect credit OK. 866858-6862.

Over 200 appliances in stock!

Largest Frigidaire appliance dealer in Western Ks.

Help Wanted

Real Estate

Gene’s Appliance

Sales and Service Days • Mon. - Sat. Deliveries • Mon.-Sat.

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.

Northend Disposal

Education

A garbologist company. Scott City • 872-1223 • 1-800-303-3371

PC Cleaning Services, Inc. We'll clean your home, business or do remodeling clean-up Available seven days a week! Paul Cramer, Owner

620-290-2410

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

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

www.reganjewelers.com

HEAVY EQUIPMENT operator career. High demand for certified bulldozer, backhoe and trackhoe operators. Handson training provided. Fantastic earning potential. Veterans with benefits encouraged to apply. 1-866-362-6497. ––––––––––––––––––––– NEED CLASS A CDL training? Start a career in trucking today. Swift Academies offer PTDI certified courses and offer best-in-class training. New Academy classes weekly. No money down or credit check. Certified mentors ready and available. Paid (while training with mentor). Regional and dedicated opportunities. Great career path. Excellent benefits package. Please call: (602) 714-9455.

For Sale SPRING IN to MidAmerica Piano to see our wide selection of affordable new and like-new pianos. Grands, verticals and digitals from $35/ month. 800-950-3774. www.piano4u.com.

412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142 All Under One Roof

Revcom Electronics

Your RadioShack Dealer Two-way Radio Sales & Service Locally owned and operated since 1990

1104 Main • Scott City • 872-2625 Find us on Facebook

SharpsShootingSupply.com • (620)398-2395 • Healy, Kansas

Services

Dining

District 11 AA Meetings

Berning Auction

Scott City

“Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”

Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. • 8:00 p.m.

For all your auction needs call:

(620) 375-4130

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti

C-Mor-Butz BBQ

Barbecue, the only sport where a fat bald man is a GOD...

& Catering

Kyle Lausch 620-872-4209

Bryan Mulligan & Chris Price 620-874-8301 & 620-874-1285

www.cmorbutzbbq.com • cmorbutzbbq@gmail.com

807 Kingsley Last Sat., Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m. All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118

Dighton

Thursday • 8:30 p.m. 535 Wichita St. All open meetings, 397-5679 • 397-2647

The Scott County Record • Page 34 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Classifieds Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009

Classified Ad Deadline: Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Classified Ad Rate: 20¢ per word. Minimum charge, $5. Blind ad: $2.50 per week extra. Card of thanks: 10¢ per word. Minimum charge, $3. Classified Display Ad rate: $5.50 per column inch. Classified advertising must be paid in advance unless business account is established. If not paid in advance, there will be a $1 billing charge. Tear sheet for classified ad will be $1 extra.

Garage Sale Saturday, April 12

Agriculture

Real Estate

Services

HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available. Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, (620)874-2120. 41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– HORSE STALLS for rent with access to arena to ride in. Close to town. Call 620-214-3242 or 620-874-8142 for more information. 35t4p

WANTED TO BUY. Stored corn. Call for basis and contract information. 1-800-579-3645. Lane County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– WANTED TO BUY. Wheat straw delivered. Call for contracting information. Lane County Feeders. 397-5341. 44tfc

903 MYRTLE, GREAT FIRST HOME 2+2 bedrooms, 2 baths. Just remodeled with a new kitchen and stainless steel appliances. All new windows, doors, flooring, insulation, plumbing and roof. Close to elementary school, which is a plus. Call for appointment: Clinton Constuction (Darryl or Virginia) 620-8725494 or cell 620-2141456. 24tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– NEWLY REFURBISHED HOME. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, walk-in closets, open kitchen/dining/living area. New carport, kitchen appliances are included. Can also sell furnished or unfurnished, nice yard space, large corner lot, quiet area. Call Fred Brittan 620-2141434 or 620-872-2957.

WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 87434tfc 4135. ––––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 36tfc 874-1412. ––––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tuneup and blade sharpening. Call Rob Vsetecka at 62036tfc 214-1730. ––––––––––––––––––––– METAL ROOFING, SIDING and TRIMS at direct-to-the-public prices. Call Metal King Mfg., 620-872-5464. Our prices 37tfc will not be beat! ––––––––––––––––––––– “JEN’S GROOMING” Jennifer Milner grooming at Fur-Fection. Please call for an appointment 620-214-0097. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 32tfc a.m.- 4:00 p.m. ––––––––––––––––––––– BERRY LAWN MOWING now accepting new customers. Evenings and weekends. Call for estimate 214-1135. Leave a 30tfc message.

Business

Community Garage Sale at Sharon Springs Saturday, May 3, 2014 8:00 a.m.-noon Maps will be available at the 27/40 store and at each garage sale site.

STARTER

–––––––––––––––––––

Multi-Family 1608 Church St., Scott City 8:00 a.m. to noon Adult and kids clothes, toys, kitchen items, furniture and lots of misc. ––––––––––––––––––– 707 Monroe Court St., Scott City. 9:00 a.m.-noon LOTS of kitchen (princess house Crystal) and much more. Living, garage, some craft stuff. CHRISTMAS decorations and other holiday decorations, one living room chair, china cabinet. Lots of things for 50¢. Antique typewriter. Got to see! Lots of good items. (Directions: Go east on 96 Hwy to Monroe St. [by old Airliner Motel] turn south and go three blocks, it is in the Kay Schmidt apartments)

Rentals

If your’re looking to buy that first home, this might be the one! 2+2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, basement with family room, FA/CA, appliances, and carport. ONLY $49,500. 1/2

section irrigated farmland. North of Scott City. Call for details.

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

INDIVIDUAL OFFICE SUITES from one to four rooms available for lease. Leases starting at $250/month including utilities. Common areas available for use including reception and break rooms. Perfect for quiet small business or climate controlled storage. Former location of Scott City Chiropractic, 1101 S. Main. Call 214-3040 for information. 27tfc

Pine Village Apartments 300 E. Nonnamaker

Apartments available for qualifying tenants 62+ or disabled with rental assistance available. Hours: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. by appointment Call Steve 872-2535 or (620) 255-4824. 19tfc

PRICE LOWERED

For Sale BLACK ANGUS BULL, registered, tested, 2 year olds, yearlings, heifer bulls, delivery, conformation, performance. Contact: Black Velvet Ranch, Aaron Plunkett, Syracuse, Ks. 620-384-1101. 33t19c ––––––––––––––––––––– 2005 CHEVY SUBURBAN, new set of golf clubs, piano. Call 62035t1p 290-7341. ––––––––––––––––––––– SEMI-NEW Craftsman riding lawn mower, works great. $480 call 620-21435t1p 0803.

County Plat Maps Logan

Ness

Wichita

Gove

Wallace

Lane

Greeley

Finney

Kearney

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

UNDER CONTRACT

5 Lots in Webster addition $ 35,000 for all 5 lots.

Thomas Real Estate

www.thomasreal-estate.com

914 W. 12th Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620)-872-7396 Cell: (620)-874-1753 or Cell: (620)-874-5002 35tfc

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church basement (use west door). 412 College, Scott City. Al-Anon at same time and location. Contact: 874-0472 or 872-3137. 30t52

COURT CLERK The City of Scott City is accepting applications for a full-time municipal court clerk. Benefits include BC/BS, vacation and sick leave Aplications may be obtained at: City Hall, 221 W. 5th Application will be accepted until: Friday, April 25, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. EOE Employer

Help Wanted PART-TIME COOK wanted. Apply in person at The Broiler, 102 Main. 25tfc

Scott

5 bedrooms, ready to move into, insulated and stucco exterior. 1+1 baths, office, fenced yard and 1 1/2 garage.

3 bedrooms with 1 3/4 baths up. Full basement open floor plan (1,642 sq. ft.), on corner lot with new streets and 24’ x 24’ garage.

30tfc

35t2c

––––––––––––––––––––– DRIVERS NEEDED, combine and truck. Starts May 10. Call Gerald Baker 620-874-2060 or 620-3794693 evenings. 33t4c ––––––––––––––––––––– ATTENDANT CARE GIVER to provide parttime in home care for elderly women. For more information contact Carolyn West 620-872-3583 or 35t2p 620-872-2506. ––––––––––––––––––––– FA R M W O R K E R , 4/28/14-12/31/14, Franke Harvesting, Covington, Okla., 10 temp. jobs. Operate harvesting machines to harvest crops in Okla./ Tex./Ks./Colo./S.D./Mont. Adjust speed of cutters, blowers, conveyors, and weight of cutting head. Change cutting head for crop. Drive truck to transport produce to storage area. Drive truck to haul harvesting machines b/w work sites. Service machinery/make in-field repairs. $10.86/hr.-$2,200/ mo. plus R/B, depending on location, ¾ work guarantee, tools/equip./ housing provided, trans. and subsistence exp. reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620-227-2149. Job 35t1c #902538.

BRITTAN AUCTION UPCOMING EVENTS In Scott City

++++++++ APRIL 11 (Friday ) 5 p.m. Storage Unit Auction 507 Court SCOTT CITY ************************* APRIL 25-26th 2-DAY “TAG SALE” 1-7 p.m. / 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 161 S.LOVERS LN. SHALLOW WATER ************************** APRIL 27 (Sunday) 2 p.m. AUCTION REAL ESTATE ANTIQUES and GUNS 161 S.LOVERS LN. SHALLOW WATER Selling at Auction…. Antique Furniture, JOHN DEERE RIDING MOWER, and GUNS Possibly glassware, pottery, primitives will be added. Real Estate selling includes… 1600+ sq’ brick home with green house, lg.yard and 30’x50’ shop. For details call: Eggleston Real Estate, Gary Eggleston 620-874-0934 or Fred Brittan, Salesman 620-214-1434 paragons@wbsnet.org brittanauction.net auctionzip.com #23186 35t1c

The Scott County Record • Page 35 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

Employment Opportunities PARA-PROFESSIONAL Scott Community High School is seeking a special education para-professional to work with students. The position is available immediately. For more information and application please contact: Susan Carter Board of Education Building 704 College, Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620) 872-7600 35tfc

ELEVATOR OPERATOR Garden City Co-op is looking for a full-time elevator operator in the Dighton area. Training will be provided for this position including a variety of responsibilities. Competitive wages and excellent benefit package. Please submit resume or apply at: the Dighton office or call 620-397-5343.

Garden City Co-op, Inc.

FRONT DESK CLERK Interested in a career with the hospitality industry? Scott City Best Western El Quartelejo Inn and Suites is looking for a front desk clerk to work the 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. shift. Approximately 32-40 hrs./week. Must be over 21 years of age and responsible. Come see us and learn more about this challenging and exciting field! Applications are available 24/7 at the hotel 1610 S. Main St. Scott City, Ks. 67871 620-872-7373 34t2c

106 North Sixth Street PO Box 838 Garden City, Ks 67846 E-Mail:gardencitycoop@gccoop.com

The Garden City Co-op is an equal opportunity employer.

Want to Work? Check Us Out! Competitive wages, advancement opportunities, hourly bonus pay, flexible schedules and friendly environment. Pick up your application now: 1502 S. Main, Scott City. Equal Employment Opportunity

34t4c

Executive Director Position Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking an Executive Director.

Position offers flexible hours. New director will report to a 12 person Board of Directors. Requirements include: excellent customer service and communication skills, must be a self-starter with good work ethic. Proficiency in QuickBooks is a plus. Email or mail resume and cover letter to Shawn Powelson at: directorposition@wbsnet.org, 416 S. Main, Scott City, KS 67871.

34t4c

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Scott County Sheriff’s Department is accepting applications for: Jailor Corrections Officer

35t1c

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a valid driver’s license, and must be 21 years of age. Special consideration for male-bilingual applicants.

SERVICE TECHNICIAN Needing drivers and yard help. Scott City, 872-3485 or 1-800-942-7411 35t3c

Scott County offers BCBS health insurances, retirement plan, vacation, sick leave and uniforms. Applications may be obtained at and returned to: Law Enforcement Center 602 W. 5th • (620)872-5805

35t2c

PARK LANE NURSING HOME Has openings for the following positions: Full-time CNA (night shift) Part-time CMA (evening shift) Part-time Nursing-LPN/RN Dietary Aide/Cook 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”

Responsibilities are to analyze, troubleshoot and perform electrical and mechanical repairs on agricultural equipment. Experience in maintenance and repair of automotive, diesel or heavy equipment required. Serving Southwest Kansas Since 1961 EOE – Drug Free Workplace

Need a summer job? Are you looking to make a difference in a child’s life? If so, we are looking for a few great people to make that difference during our 2014 summer program in June, July and the first part of August. Applicants must have the following: An interest in working with children who experience a mental illness and their families, High School Diploma or GED, good driving record, and a valid driver’s license. $8.25/hr., hours will vary Monday through Friday. Applications are available at: www.compassbh.org Forward application and references to: Human Resources PO Box 1905 Garden City, KS 67846 Fax number: 620-272-0171 E-mail: hr@compassbh.org

35t3c

33tfc

SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL HAS OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Customer Service Representative full-time, Dighton. In keeping with our mission for providing quality products and services, this position supports the company’s mission statement by responding promptly to customer inquiries and resolving problems in a thorough and effective manner while maintaining a focus on excellent customer service. Tasks may include serving as primary contact for customers, processing orders, customer applications, and disconnects; as well as dispatching technicians, maintaining records, selling and promoting all S&T services, answering phones, etc. Qualifications: Those interested must have a high school diploma, 2-3 years computer experience, one year customer service and valid Ks. driver’s license with good driving record. Applications available at all S&T locations: Brewster, Colby, Dighton, Goodland. See our website for more details. careers@sttelcom.com or www.sttelcom.com 1-800-432-8294 Drug testing required. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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American Implement, Inc., a progressive John Deere agricultural dealership in Southwest Kansas, is experiencing significant growth and is currently seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Service Technician in the Leoti location.

PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL STAFF Clinic Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner PATIENT CARE Acute Care RNs Outpatient Services C.N.A. CLERICAL Assistant Health and Safety Coordinator SERVICE Morning Cook PRN Dietary Aide/Cook Housekeeper Applicants for these positions are required to be able to read, speak and understand English. Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, immunization titer, physical assessment and TB skin test required. We are a tobacco free campus. We offer competitive pay and great benefits. Due to our recent expansion of services and rapid growth, we are in need of Acute Care RNs and are offering financial incentives. Applications are available through Human Resources at Scott County Hospital 201 Albert Ave. Scott City, Ks. 67871 620-872-7772 or online at www.scotthospital.net

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Qualified applicants must own a set of tools to perform the functions of the job. American Implement offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package, which includes life, health and supplemental insurance, 401(k) plan and a quarterly incentive bonus program. Interested applicants may send a cover letter and resume to: Brad Schields Location Manager American Implement, Inc., 232 E. Hwy. 96, Leoti, Ks. 67861 or Call: (620) 375-2621.

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DISTRICT TREASURER The USD 466 Board of Education is seeking applications for the position of District Treasurer. Duties include: Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable, electronic construction of budget, and production of monthly financial and state reports. Position requires: The preferred candidate will be well-versed in basic accounting and be familiar with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and related experience with in-house accounting programs. The district uses the MAPP accounting system. Knowledge and skills with basic business machines is necessary. A business degree is preferred. Training: will begin at the earliest mutually agreeable date possible. Benefits: are a 12-month full-time position with vacation benefits, sick leave and personal leave. A paid full single BC/BS medical benefit is included in the package offer. Salary is to be commensurate with experience and training. To Apply: applicants shall complete the basic application, submit a letter of application, provide a complete resume’ with any letters of recommendation plus a listing of all work experiences and locations with correct phone listing and names of previous supervisors/employers. The application package should be completed in an expeditious manner as the position is “open until filled”. The completed application package can be mailed or delivered to: Susan Carter, Clerk, USD 466, Scott County Schools, 704 S. College, Scott City, Ks 67871. 29tfc

Census “Businesses use the data to decide whether they are going to expand, change or move geographically. I hope some of the farmers and ranchers are using this data to also make decisions on their operation.” Preliminary Highlights Land in farms: In the United States, between 2007-12, the amount of land in farms declined by less than one percent, from 922 million acres to 915 million. While continuing a downward trend, this is the third smallest decline between censuses since 1950. The amount of land in farms in Kansas declined by less than one percent between 2007 and 2012, from 46.35 million acres to 46.14.

The Scott County Record • Page 36 • Thursday, April 10, 2014

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reporting farming as a primary occupation in 2012. The average age of a principal farm operator in the United States was 58.3 years, up 1.2 years from 2007, and continuing a 30-year trend of steady increase. According to the 2012 census, and similar to the national trends, principal farm operators in Kansas are becoming older and more diverse. The average age of a Kansas principal farm operator was 58.2 years, up 0.5 year from 2007. Again, more minority-operated farms were accounted for in 2012 than in 2007 in Kansas. Currently, about 2 percent of Kansas’ farms are minority-operated. Contrary to the national data, there were fewer operators reporting farming as the primary occupation in Kansas, from 30,873 in 2007 to 29,857 in 2012, a three percent decline. But, those reporting something other than farming as their primary occupation also dropped more in those five years, down eight percent, to 31,916. Kansas’ women principal operators dropped 15 percent, from 7,943 in 2007 to 6,783 in 2012. In Kansas, female operator average age was 62.9, down from 2007 but still 4.7 years older than all Kansas farmers.

Number of farms: The United States had 2.1 million farms, down 4.3 percent, in 2012. For farm size by acres, the decline continued a downward trend in mid-sized farms, while the smallest- and largest-size farms held steady. Kansas had 61,773 farms in 2012, down 5.7 percent from 2007. For farm size by acres, all size categories declined, with the largest declines in the mid-sized farms (180 to 999 acres), down 10.2 percent. The largest-size farms showed the smallest Ag products sold: In 2012 in the United decrease, down only 26 States, the value of agrifarms. cultural products sold totaled $394.6 billion, up Farm operators: Demographic changes 33 percent ($97.4 billion) were evident when com- from 2007. For only the paring the 2007 census second time in census hisof agriculture to the 2012 tory, crop sales ($212.4 preliminary data for the billion) exceeded liveUnited States. There were stock sales ($182.2 bilfewer female operators, lion). In 2012 in Kansas, the fewer beginning operators, fewer small farms, value of agriculture prodmore minority opera- ucts sold totaled $18.5 tors and more operators billion, up 28 percent

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($14.4 billion) from 2007. Livestock sales accounted for the majority of agriculture products sold, at 62 percent, while crop sales accounted for 38 percent in 2012. The data showed changes on how states ranked in number of farms from 2007 to 2012. The top five states in 2007 included Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kentucky. The 2012 data is the same, other than California replaced Kentucky in the fifth spot. Kansas remained at No. 12. The top five states in 2007 for value of agricultural production included California, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. In 2012, Kansas slipped to the sixth spot, as it was replaced by Minnesota for fifth. Kansas remained in the top 10 states for value of crops sold. It was ranked 10th in 2007 and moved up to ninth in 2012. The top five states for both years included California, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. For value of livestock sold, Kansas remained in the top five states. It was fourth in 2007 and fell to fifth in 2012, behind Nebraska. The top five states for livestock for both 2007 and 2012 included Texas, Iowa, California, Nebraska and Kansas.

Looking at the Data Brian Briggeman, associate professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, said it is not surprising that the 2012 census of agriculture preliminary data shows that Kansas’ trends in farming and ranching are similar to the national trends. Farmers are getting older, and they are becoming more efficient in meeting the agricultural production needs of a growing world population that is expected to surpass nine billion by 2050. “There’s a reason all of these numbers changed over time,” Briggeman said. “For farmers looking at retirement, they are asking themselves, ‘Where am I going to get

the returns that I am getting now from agriculture?’ Furthermore, with all of the technological gains, GPS (global positioning system) and autosteer, for example, there is less wear and tear on a farmer operator.” Briggeman, who teaches an ag finance course, said many young people are looking forward to getting into production agriculture. He has even witnessed people who have left the farm, graduated from college, went into the workforce, and who are now either back working at the family farm or are wanting to get back. “I graduated in 2000 from Kansas State, and that was not the sentiment in the classroom at

that time,” he said. “Now, there’s a real interest of people who want to go back to the farm or ranch.” Lamprecht points out that 2012 was a drought year in Kansas and several other states, which might have played a role in how the data turned out. The final 2012 census of agriculture report will be available in May. Lamprecht says the next round of data will look at the breakdown of crops by county, livestock by county, production and value of sales. Also in the final report will be information such as Internet use on farms and ranches, land-use practices, agroforestry, and even specialty crop and livestock estimates, to name a few.