Home of El Cuartelejo
Home of El Cuartelejo
32 Pages • Four Sections
Volume 24 • Number 21
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Published in Scott City, Ks.
$1 single copy
Look Inside
Pastor Scott Wagner and Deb Lawrence look over the plaque that was unveiled at the First Christian Church. (Record Photo)
Sports Beavers add to their championship tradition during ‘16 Page 17
First baby prizes.......... 9 Youth/Education........ 11 Public notices.......12-13 LEC report................. 12 Church services......... 15 Deaths....................... 15 Health care...........16-17 Sports...................19-24 Don’t Drink, Drive...... 22 Farm section.........26-27 Classified ads.......29-31
Deaths Beverly Goodman Bonnie Pickett Gerald ‘Fred’ Sheaks II
406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
Agriculture Lack of biodiversity a factor in habitat loss, extinctions Page 26
Medicare Part A, Part B prices changes will be taking effect Page 11
Health Health perceptions aren’t always in sync with reality Page 16
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406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
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The A.B. Timmerman building as it was being constructed between 1905 and 1907.
it rolling,” says Patsi Graham, president of the historical society. “When I travel and I see historical signs and plaques I will frequently stop to see what they’re about. I don’t know if the locals will do that, but I hope they do,” she adds with a laugh. “As more plaques go up around town, I hope people will be surprised at what they learn about our past. I think they’ll be impressed.”
406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
Opinions...................4-7 Calendar...................... 7
Preserving History While some buildings have been lost to all but the history books, and other
buildings will eventually meet the same fate, Lawrence has made it her mission to identify as many buildings as possible that existed in Scott City’s past and which are still standing today. She’s researching when buildings were built, when they were destroyed by fire or other means, where those that no longer exist were once located, what businesses have been located in various buildings over the years, and more. “I’ve compiled the ages of most every building in downtown Scott City,” Lawrence says. (See HISTORIC on page eight)
top stories of 2016
Once-in-a-lifetime wheat harvest As impressive as it was to watch this year’s wheat harvest, it’s what Shayne Suppes didn’t see that made an even bigger impression as combines were rolling through fields in Scott and surrounding counties. “It’s so thick you can’t even see the wheat rows,” he said from the cab of a tractor pulling a grain cart. Like many farmers in the area, he was amazed at yields which rarely dipped below 70 bushels and, on occasion, ventured over 100 bushels according to the monitoring equipment in their combines. “Everything was perfect this year,” he observes. “We’ll prob-
ably never get the stars to align like this again - not in our lifetime.” Yields of 100 bushels or more aren’t isolated. “They’re happening all over,” says Lane County farmer Vance Ehmke, who has seen some yields on his ground far exceed that impressive number. “In past years, you might have a field that will yield 85 (bushels) and you can’t explain it. But, this year we’re seeing it from one end of the farm to the other. “We had a cutter opening up a field and the video was running on his yield monitor that he sent to us. It was showing 100, 120 and up to (See HARVEST on page 25)
406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
Index
When the former A.B. Timmerman building was destroyed by fire in downtown Scott City in September of 2014, it left not just a hole in the business landscape, but in the community’s history, as well. “I’d always intended to get photos inside the building,” says Deb Lawrence, a lifetime resident and a long-time real estate agent. “I sold the Timmerman building a couple of times over the past 35 years and when you were upstairs it was like walking back in time. It had several individual offices, similar to what you see on the second floor of The Majestic.” She described the second floor as a “time capsule” which had been used primarily as storage for most of the last seven decades. The main floor was home to Braun’s Butcher Block at the time of the fire. Shortly after the Timmerman fire, Lawrence posted old photos of the building’s exterior on her Facebook page and got such a good response she started a regular feature known as “Scott City: Then and Now” which features old photos and gives a brief history of buildings - many of them still occupied today. “I’ve tried to find what history I can, but some of it’s been lost forever,” she says. The Scott County Historical Society is also very supportive and appreciative of Lawrence’s efforts. “It’s an excellent idea and we’re excited that she was determined enough to get
406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
Education Knights raise nearly $4,000 for USD 466 special ed services Page 11
Plaques recognize current, former historic sites in city
406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com
State New regs require more training for child care providers Page 11
Shayne Suppes was among area farmers harvesting wheat that yielded 100 bushels per acre and more last summer.
The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Larned State tries new strategies to boost staffing Treatment systems, federal regs ensure quality of supplies Officials at Kansas’ two state psychiatric hospitals have taken steps to reduce staffing shortages and improve care but haven’t been able to free space for more patients. Representatives from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Osawatomie State Hospital and Larned State Hospital spoke to a special committee overseeing the hospitals. Staffing issues are improving, officials said, though they cautioned that both hospitals still need more workers. Federal officials ended Medicare payments to Osawatomie State Hospital about a year ago due to safety issues, and several inspections had found problems with
treatment. KDADS Secretary Tim Keck said the department will allow contractors until January to submit bids to run Osawatomie State Hospital, but that he was impressed by current staff’s efforts to improve care. Larned State Hospital hasn’t been dogged by the same quality issues, but staff shortages led to high turnover and burnout among employees forced to work double shifts. While Larned State Hospital has enough space available to take voluntary patients, patients sometimes wait a day or more to get into Osawatomie State Hospital, often spending that time in emergency rooms. Osawatomie State Hospital still doesn’t have enough staff to reopen 60 beds that have been offline for more than a year, KDADS Interim Secretary Tim Keck said. State officials didn’t give a specific number of employees it would need to hire
Will be closed Monday
City Hall in Scott City and the Scott County Courthouse will be closed on Mon., Jan. 2, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. The city council meeting normally held on the first Monday of the month has been rescheduled for Tues., Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m. In addition, the Post Office, banks and many businesses will be closed.
Friday deadline for tags
Persons whose last name begins with the letters U, X, Y or Z are reminded that license tags must be purchased by Fri., Dec. 30, to avoid a penalty. Tags are due for autos, light trucks, motorcycles and motorized bikes. License tags can be purchased at the county treasurer’s office. Tags must be renewed during February for persons whose last name begins A.
get longer-term patients out of to reopen the beds. “We want to be very confi- the hospitals. Osawatomie State Hospital dent that we have enough staff to protect our patients,” he said. officials also are looking into whether up to 25 longer-term patients could be transferred Signs of Positive Morale While more than one-quarter to nursing facilities for mental of all staff positions are vacant health, Keck said. The departin both hospitals, officials could ment may have to make changpoint to some positive signs. es to how nursing facilities Ven Rao, human resources are reimbursed to give them manager for Osawatomie State an incentive to take hospital Hospital, said more employ- patients, he said. Angela de Rocha, spokesees are referring friends and woman for KDADS, said it was acquaintances, which he called too early to comment on what a positive sign for morale. About 14 percent of appli- specific changes might be neccants said someone had sug- essary, because the department gested they look for a job at the is only exploring the idea of partnering with nursing facilihospital, he said. The hospitals also are look- ties. ing within for more front-line workers. State officials said Changes to Care Despite staffing issues, the employees at both hospitals hospitals have made some who don’t work in direct-care positions volunteered to train changes to improve mental as mental health technicians so health care, officials said. David Barnam, clinical directhey could fill in if necessary. KDADS also is attempting to tor at Larned State Hospital,
said the hospital is putting more focus on teaching cognitive skills to cope with symptoms, particularly for the 31 percent of patients who have schizophrenia. Medications and other forms of theory are of some help to people with schizophrenia, he said, but they aren’t very effective on their own. Mental health care also is changing in the Osawatomie State Hospital unit that is seeking Medicare certification. Dwain Shaw is CEO of the unit, which now must operate separately from the rest of the hospital under Medicare requirements. He said the unit works with patients when they arrive to begin planning their transition and has changed how treatment plans are written to better address a patient’s needs. The unit has a doctor available during business hours, with medical residents covering other hours, Shaw said.
Community Living
The Scott County Record
Page 3 - Thursday, December 29, 2016
Slow cookers are a great kitchen time-saver A slow cooker is a relatively inexpensive kitchen appliance, $20 and up, but like a friend in the kitchen when it comes to getting dinner on the table in a hurry. Who wouldn’t like to have dinner well on its Carol Ann way when they arrive home after Crouch Family and work? Consumer Sciences But, to use Agent for a slow cooker, sometimes called Scott County
by the brand name of a Crockpot, takes planning. You’ll need to read the recipe, make sure ingredients are on hand, and plan to allow 15 to 30 minutes before work to assemble recipe ingredients and start the cooking process. Doing so is time well spent, when that fragrant, one-pot meal will be ready and waiting at dinnertime. Slow cookers use low, moist heat (on low, 170 degrees, and on high, 280 degrees) that can tenderize less expensive cuts
of meat (i.e., skirt steak, shoulder or leg cuts) and offer a savings on the grocery bill. A slow cooker can be used for a variety of health promoting, and satisfying, recipes, including, but not limited to soups, stews and pot roasts or poultry, vegetarian entrees, casseroles, desserts (fruit cobbler is an example) and specialty foods, such as mulled cider or a party dip. They can also be essential in basic food preparation, such as cooking dried beans, which
are family favorites. A slow cooker can take the guesswork out of cooking dried beans as well. There’s no need to watch the pot. Also, dried beans provide healthy, but bargain-priced protein that is rich in folate and fiber. Beans lend themselves to slow cooking. In American food history, there was a time when women often chose to pair red beans with rice for slow cooking in a cast-iron pot for an easy meal on laundry day.
Hosting Party favorites . . . New Year’s Roast on a budget Beef If you want to ring in 2017 without breaking the bank, try the following for a fun, easy get-together. While champagne is the libation of choice. There are other lower-priced, but still tasty options. With a fruitier smell and less yeasty taste than champagne, Prosecco is an Italian version of bubbly that often runs $10 to $12 a bottle. Make a sparkling wine cocktail for something a little different. Champagne Sangria
Ingredients: 1 bottle sweet Riesling or Moscato 1 orange, sliced 4 kiwi, peeled then sliced 1 pomegranate, seeded 1 bottle Brut Champagne, sparkling wine or ginger ale for a non alcoholic option 1-1/2 cups orange juice
Directions: Pour orange juice in a large bowl. Add sliced oranges, kiwi slices, pomegranate and any other fruit you like. Slowly add the champagne, sparkling wine or ginger ale at the last minute to keep it bubbly. This recipe serves 12
Decorations New Year’s Eve is pretty cut and dry as far as decorations go. Balloons, party hats, noise makers, streamers, confetti, curled ribbon and glow sticks make decorating easy. Candles in votives, jars, glasses or even fruit can add to the ambiance. Dollar store champagne flutes, craft glue and glitter are all you need to make a keepsake for guests. Save the glue and glitter to add some sparkle to balloons. For a great centerpiece, all you need is a bored kid, a big Styrofoam ball, craft glue and old cut up CDs and, ta-da, you have a disco ball. What to Eat? Don’t stress over preparing a feast. How about a baked potato bar with toppings like sour cream, bacon bits, chopped scallions, salsa, shredded cheese, jalapenos, chives, steamed broccoli, butter,
Times have changed, yet tasty cooked beans add protein to a soup, stew or other recipe, such as ham and beans. They can also be served as a side dish, or when paired with cornbread, are the star on the menu. If choosing a slow cooker, match the appliance to family size or preferred use (family dinners on week nights or entertaining a crowd, for examples). (See COOKERS on page 14)
Monday-Friday January 2-6
Pinwheels Ingredients Rectangular wrap 2 tablespoons 6 slices 1/2 cup
light horseradish mayonnaise deli roast beef baby spinach
Directions Spread wrap with light horseradish mayonnaise. Top with roast beef and baby spinach. Starting with a short end, roll up tightly. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate. Cut into 3/4-inch slices to serve.
Pita Wedges
in Scott City Majestic Theatre 420 Main • 872-3840
Lunch Tuesday-Friday • 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Evenings Thursday-Saturday • 5:30-10:00 p.m. Tuesday Open-faced prime rib sandwich with french fries $11.95
Ingredients 6 whole wheat pitas 1 jar (12 ounces) roasted red peppers 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives Lemon-flavored hummus
Wednesday Spaghetti dinner with side salad
Directions Wrap whole-wheat pitas in foil; heat in a 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, drain jar of marinated roasted red peppers and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. Chop kalamata olives. Spread each pita with a few tablespoons of lemonflavored hummus, then top with red peppers and olives. Cut into wedges and serve.
Friday Pork burrito
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Thursday Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy $7.95
shredded, cooked chicken taco seasoning water salsa verde flour tortillas, fajita-size refried beans, warmed in microwave sour cream shredded cheddar cheese
Directions Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix chicken, taco seasoning, water and salsa verde in a skillet. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes. Coat 13x9x2-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cover bottom of pan with 3 flour tortillas, overlapping. Pour half of the chicken mixture on the tortillas. Cover with 3 more tortillas. Spread with warmed beans and the sour cream. Sprinkle half the cheese over the beans and sour cream, and cover with the remaining 3 tortillas. Top with remaining chicken mixture, followed by remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 28 minutes, until bubbly.
mushrooms and chili. For dessert, try a build-yourown-sundae bar. Simple appetizers are another easy pick, but they don’t have to be routine. Go-tos like gua-
camole, salsa, chips are great, but think outside the box. Try chocolate fondue with fruit, marshmallows or cookies, baked brie or better yet, BYOA (Bring Your Own Appetizer).
Customer Appreciation Day
1/2 OFF everything in the store! New Year’s Day Only Sunday, January 1 All day
$6.95
No Membership Required
VIP Center 302 Church St. • 872-3501
$
1304 S. Main • 872-5301
Prep: 10 minutes Ingredients 3 cups 1-1/4 - ounce packet 1/2 cup 2 cups 9 15-1/2 oz. can 8 ounces 3 cups
$7.95
1211 Main • 872-3215
6
$
49
Full Buffet
5
($3 - 60 yrs. and up)
Monday • Apple ginger pork loin, Braised cabbage, Baked sweet potato, Wheat dinner roll, Rosy applesauce Tuesday • Beef chili with beans, Carrots and zucchini, Cinnamon roll, Pineapple tidbits Wednesday • Rotisserie style turkey, Mashed potatoes with gravy, Green beans almondine, Wheat dinner roll or bread, Glazed strawberries and bananas Thursday • Potato encrusted fish, Au gratin potatoes, Green peas, Wheat dinner roll or bread, Pears and apricots Friday • Baked thyme chicken, Cornbread dressing, Broccoli and cauliflower, Wheat roll or bread, Peach fruit and yogurt parfait
The Broiler 102 Main Street • 872-5055
Monday - Steak and Velveeta on a hoagie bun $6.00 Tuesday - Tacos Funny Tacos
99¢ $1.50
Wednesday - 2 pc. chicken dinner, includes potato and vegetables $6.25
1502 S. Main • 872-7288
Thursday - 4 oz. chicken fry dinner, includes potato and vegetables $6.25 Friday - Fish and chips
$6.25
Saturday - Ham and two eggs
$7.95
Sunday Buffet 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
CHOOSE -TWOENTREES
Classic Chicken Sandwich Footlong Quarter Pound Coney SONIC Cheeseburger
+TWO Medium Soft Drinks* +TWO Medium Tots, Medium Fries or one of each
*Fruit, candy or multiple flavor add-ins are additional costs
1720 S. Main Scott City 872-5767
The Scott County Record
Editorial/Opinion
Page 4 - Thursday, December 29, 2016
editorially speaking
Lack of leadership:
State avoids responsibility with voluntary conservation
Kansas continues to take a piecemeal approach to addressing the biggest issue of our time - a declining aquifer - while our governor is content with standing on the sideline. Wichita County is to be commended for its plan to establish a Water Conservation Area. Hopefully, a big majority of the water rights holders in the county can be persuaded to make the commitment to enact an immediate 29 percent reduction in irrigation pumping. And, hopefully, surrounding counties will take note and follow their example. However, this is an agonizingly slow process to begin fixing a problem that should have been addressed 20 or 30 years ago. Maybe when the first irrigation wells were drilled in this region, and even through the irrigation boom of the 1970s, it was impossible to imagine that the sea of water below us wouldn’t last forever. For more than three decades, ignorance has not been an excuse. For too long, the state was unwilling to limit the number of wells that could be drilled into the Ogallala and for too long it allowed policies, such as “use it or lose it” to remain on the books because no one apparently had the fortitude to eliminate a law that even irrigators agreed made no sense. It’s not until irrigation wells are being shut down because they are either dry or are pumping at such low capacity as to make them impractical, that reality strikes home. Unless something is done - and soon - we will no longer be able to continue our way of life across much of Western Kansas for more than another generation or two. It’s not just Western Kansas which is at risk as irrigation capability diminishes. While it’s frequently not acknowledged by those in eastern Kansas, what happens west of US183 Highway has a huge impact on our state’s economy. While that fact is recognized by most within state government and the Kansas Department of Agriculture the prevailing attitude appears to be, “We’ll provide encouragement, but it’s up to them to solve the problem.” That hands-off approach has largely been ineffective. It doesn’t recognize factors which drive water usage in Western Kansas and also stand as a hurdle to conservation. For example, how many landowners are willing to cut their irrigation usage by 29 percent immediately - increasing to 50 percent by 2038 (as in the Wichita County WAC) - if their neighbor isn’t willing to do the same? A “voluntary” conservation plan sounds great as long as everyone volunteers. But, what happens when a producer cuts his water usage - and potential income - while others who are nearby continue to pump “his” share of the water? And that’s not to say those who don’t participate immediately - or ever - aren’t concerned. It’s been explained to us that there are absentee owners who expect a certain income from the land and water conservation isn’t a priority to them. If one producer won’t pump and maintain production, they’ll find another who will. There are also producers who feel compelled to maintain a certain production level - especially if they recently purchased expensive farm ground and must now pay off that loan with rock-bottom market prices. For some, voluntary participation may not feel like an option. * * * Of course, the biggest obstacle to voluntary participation is the snail’s pace at which progress is achieved. The Sheridan 6 LEMA (Local Enhanced Management Area) was approved in 2013. It still remains the only LEMA in Western Kansas. A LEMA vote in Groundwater Management District No. 1 failed in 2014 and it’s taken more than two years for the Wichita County WCA to emerge as an alternative. There are two other WCA’s in Western Kansas, but each is for single farm management operations. In other words, voluntary participation has had an impact on an extremely low percentage of acreage in Western Kansas. Consequently, outside of very localized water savings, the impact of these efforts has been inconsequential. It’s been argued that the state can’t offer a oneplan-fits-all solution to water conservation in Western Kansas. We agree that the need for action is more pressing in some parts of GWMD No. 1 than in others, just as it’s more pressing in parts of northwest Kansas than it is in southwest Kansas. The issue, however, is just as serious for each of us, regardless of the time frame. Brownback’s insistence that he “won’t bring down the hammer” by imposing limitations on water usage at the state level may satisfy those who dislike government intervention. But, it’s a spineless approach to a statewide issue. Every day . . . every year . . . we wait to arrive at “voluntary” solutions only increases the magnitude of our problem and makes the solutions more difficult for producers and communities to absorb. The state can establish a minimum threshold for conservation savings and a deadline for compliance. It can give GWMDs some flexibility in meeting, or even exceeding those goals. We’ve waited long enough. The time for action is now. Not five or 10 years from now.
What you can expect in 2017 If you thought 2016 was a year of the unexpected, you haven’t seen anything yet. We’ve pulled our crystal ball out of the closet once again in order to provide a glimpse into what can be expected in 2017. * * * After Gov. Sam Brownback disbanded the sixmember Consensus Revenue Estimating Group and lowered tax revenue estimates to zero, Kansas finally exceeded projections in March by just over $377 million. “This proves beyond any doubt that my live experiment is a success,” says Gov. Sam Brownback. “It’s good to see that we’re finally moving in the right direction,” added Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman, Jr. (R-Olathe). * * * Donald Trump disputes claims of a conflict of interest when government watchdogs say that he is benefitting directly as a result of the governments of Kuwait, Argentina, Russia and Qatar leasing entire floors of the Trump Hotel
Rod Haxton, editor
for $1 million a month. “The people at the front desk of my hotel handle all the money. I don’t see any of it,” said Trump. “Where’s the conflict?” * * * Fox News’ Sean Hannity says in August that news reports of President Trump approving a nuclear strike which annihilated Iran is another “liberal media fake news story.” “Since Iran no longer exists, can we be sure it even existed at all?” asked Hannity. “And based on that, can we even be sure that a nuclear bomb was ever dropped on a country that we can’t prove existed?” * * * Two months after Saturday Night Live was suddenly taken off the air, there is still no word about what has happened to cast members and Alec Baldwin following Trump’s
tweet, “We have rooms available at Guantanamo.” NBC executives issued a brief statement saying, “The entire staff is on hiatus while working out creative differences.” The show’s producer, Lorne Michaels, has also been unavailable for comment. In response to his Guantanamo tweet, Trump tweeted, “It was satire. Didn’t you get it?” * * * Six months after Congress voted to repeal Obamacare, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran says in an interview with the Wichita Eagle that people took action by Republicans “too literal.” “When we said for the past seven years we were going to repeal Obamacare we never meant that it would happen right away. I don’t know where people got that idea. “We kept our promise, but it could take years for repeal to take effect,” he explained. “In fact, I may not even be in office when that finally happens.” * * * Kansas Secretary of
State Kris Kobach resigns his elected position to assume a role in the Trump Administration as director of the newly created Department of Voter Fraud. Kobach says his No. 1 priority will be to find and prosecute the “millions of people” who voted illegally for Hillary Clinton, denying Trump a majority of the popular vote. “I’ve built a reputation by squashing voter fraud where it doesn’t exist and I intend to do the same at the federal level,” says Kobach. Asked if that will also include investigating claims of Russian hacking in the presidential election, Kobach replied, “I don’t waste my time chasing after red herrings.” * * * In a post-election analysis of the presidential election on CNN, Trump campaign manager and White House advisor Kellyanne Conway was asked about their brilliant decision to target viewers of “The Walking Dead” with their campaign advertising. (See 2017 on page six)
How ‘bout a little small talk? A man says to me, “How do you like that car?” I’m standing by a little green Kia. “It’s not mine, it’s a rental,” I say. I’m in the town of Okeechobee, Fla., parked on the main drag in front of Nutmeg’s Cafe. “Where you from?” he says. “Minnesota.” “I hear they just got more snow up there.” “How do you like that car?” is a classic opening of a casual conversation between two men who don’t know each other and it can lead in various directions, if they have the urge to talk. He’s from Connecticut, I find out, and has lived in nearby Fort Pierce for several years. He thought when he moved to Florida that he’d be spending a lot of time on beaches but he hasn’t been on a beach much at all.
Where to Write
another view by Garrison Keillor
He drives a 1947 Packard convertible that he fixed up himself. He moved here because Florida is better for the Packard and also to see to his father, who is 87, and also to get away from a broken romance. He and his dad have breakfast together every Thursday morning. He misses the North, the big winter storms, the bracing chill in the air, but Florida is okay. He is thinking of buying property in Okeechobee. He likes small towns. He recommends I see Fort Pierce and drive the Indian River highway down the coast. He offers all of this in one brief encounter standing on the sidewalk, and when we say so long,
Gov. Sam Brownback 2nd Floor - State Capitol Topeka, Ks. 66612-1501 (785) 296-3232
I have no idea what his politics are, if he attends church, what he does for a living, how he feels about climate change, but I do feel warmly about Okeechobee. These common social moments aren’t as common as they used to be. For one thing, so many people wear headphones and you’d have to tap them on the shoulder and have something serious to say, like “Your pants are on fire.” An older man avoids striking up a conversation with a younger woman for fear it will be misconstrued, or with younger men because their default response is “Hnnph.” You stand in line at a store counter, people are busy texting, Googling on their phones, checking their inboxes, and you hesitate to say, “Beautiful weather we’re having.” Or
Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4774 roberts.senate.gov/email.htm
“Those are good-looking boots you’re wearing.” Or “How do you like that car?” I hitchhiked a lot in my teens and remember the men who gave me a lift and how talkative they were. I was a shy kid, so older people opened up to me. It was a hitchhiker’s job to shut up and listen: That was how you paid for the ride. They complained about their jobs, talked about the war, gave you advice about women and life. But, nobody hitchhikes anymore, and thanks to the universality of gizmos, small talk has become rare, and a person comes to feel he’s living in a hostile world, which is not true at all. When I lived in Denmark, small talk with a stranger was the hardest (See TALK on page six)
Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6521 www.moran.senate.gov/public/
The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Election meddling: remember how this feels by Peter Certo
Even in an election year as shot through with conspiracy theories as this one, it would have been hard to imagine a bigger bombshell than Russia intervening to help Donald Trump. But that’s exactly what the CIA believes happened, or so unnamed “officials brief on the matter” told the Washington Post. While Russia had long been blamed for hacking email accounts linked to the Clinton campaign, its motives had been shrouded in mystery. According to the Post, though, CIA officials recently presented Congress with a “a growing body of intelligence from multiple sources that “electing Trump was Russia’s goal.” Now, the CIA hasn’t made
any of its evidence public, and the CIA and FBI are reportedly divided on the subject. Though it’s too soon to draw conclusions, the charges warrant a serious public investigation. Even some Republicans who backed Trump seem to agree. “The Russians are not our friends,” said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, announcing his support for a congressional probe. It’s “warfare,” added Senator John McCain. There’s a grim irony to this. The CIA is accusing Russia of interfering in our free and fair elections to install a rightwing candidate it deemed more favorable to its interests. Yet during the Cold War, that’s exactly what the CIA did to the rest of the world. Most Americans probably
don’t know that history. But in much of the world it’s a crucial part of how Washington is viewed even today. In the post-World War II years, as Moscow and Washington jockeyed for global influence, the two capitals tried to game every foreign election they could get their hands on. From Europe to Vietnam and Chile to the Philippines, American agents delivered briefcases of cash to handpicked politicians, launched smear campaigns against their left-leaning rivals, and spread hysterical “fake news” stories like the ones some now accuse Russia of spreading here. Together, political scientist Dov Levin estimates, Russia and the U.S. interfered in 117 elections this way in the second half of the 20th century.
Even worse is what happened when the CIA’s chosen candidates lost. In Iran, when elected leader Mohammad Mossadegh tried to nationalize the country’s BP-held oil reserves, CIA agent Kermit Roosevelt led an operation to oust Mossadegh in favor of Shah Mohammad
Reza Pahlavi. The shah’s secret police tortured dissidents by the thousands, leading directly to the Islamic Revolution in 1979. In Guatemala, when the democratically elected Jacobo Arbez tried to loosen the U.S.based United Fruit company’s grip on Guatemalan land, the (See ELECTION on page six)
Obamacare war won’t be easy for GOP by Jennifer Rubin
Hefty price tag for the ‘Trump fix’ by Jim Hightower
Few Americans have ever heard of Tom Barrack, but he’s going to be a big, behind-the-scenes player in Trump’s Washington. Indeed, Tom’s already a big player, literally in charge of parading The Donald into the White House. He chairs the presidential inaugural committee, overseeing everything from numerous balls to the swearing-in. The four-day affair will, of course, be a Trumpean Spectacular, yet Barrack insists it won’t be outlandishly tacky. “The president-elect,” says Barrack, “wants this to be about the people.” Sure, Tom - people like you. Barrack, a long-time Trump pal,
is a billionaire speculator who runs a myriad of Wall Street funds, real estate ventures, luxury resorts and casinos. Unsurprisingly, his idea of “the people” turns out to be those privileged ones who’ll buy the premium inaugural tickets that include access to His Excellency, Trump himself. Those tickets start at $25,000. But that only gets you into the bleacher seats out in right field. For the platinum seats up in the luxurious owners’ suites, the price is a cool million bucks. What does that buy? “An intimate dinner” with the new vice-president, Mike Pence; four tickets to a “Ladies Luncheon with Ms. Trump and Ms. Pence”; an elegant “Candlelight Dinner” with
The Donald and his sidekick, Pence; the black-tie Inaugural Ball with Trump, Pence, Cabinet officials, and other governmental big-shots; four tickets for priority seats at the official swearing-in; and priority booking at select hotels - so you won’t have to mingle with commoners. Barrack expects to raise a record $75 million from corporations and fat cats wanting to endear themselves to the Trumpster. Trump declared in his campaign that “nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it.” Yeah. And now we know the price for being in on “the fix.” Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker and author
Trump getting a great economy What happens when it starts heading south? Back in October, a MarketplaceEdison Research Poll found that two-thirds of Donald Trump voters didn’t trust government-reported economic data, thanks partly to their candidate’s insistence that the numbers are bogus. Something tells me this attitude is about to change. After all, Trump will soon take office with among the most favorable economic conditions - as measured by the government and private data sources - imaginable. And you can bet that he, and his supporters, will gleefully claim credit. Until things go south, anyway. For now, rose-colored economic data abound. The most recent jobs report shows the unemployment rate down to 4.6 percent. It hasn’t been this low since August 2007, several months before the Great Recession began.
behind the headlines by Catherine Rampell
Or consider a broader measure of underemployment called the U-6. This includes workers who are parttime but want full-time work, and people who’ve given up looking for work but still want it. It’s not quite at its pre-recession level, but it has also fallen dramatically. Wages, too, have risen substantially. Adjusted for inflation, median weekly earnings for wage and salary workers were at an all-time high in the third quarter. Gas prices remain low, as does overall inflation. Meanwhile, stocks have reached all-time highs, with the Dow Jones industrial average on the cusp of 20,000. Gross domestic product growth for the third quarter was revised upward last week, to 3.5 percent. (Apparently Trump is even making the economy great again retroactively.) Consumers likewise seem euphoric, with multiple measures
of consumer confidence recently reaching business-cycle highs. These numbers are partly driven by a sharp spike in optimism among Republicans in the weeks since the election, but even before then confidence had been trending upward. All of which is to say: These are some brisk tail winds on which to sail into the Oval Office. They also represent economic conditions quite different from the catastrophic ones Barack Obama inherited in 2009. Curiously, though, Trump’s priorities seem predicated on the premise that the U.S. economy is still circling the drain. He plans to usher through a major stimulus package early in his administration, including massive personal and corporate income-tax cuts and a public-private $1 trillion infrastructure plan. These measures are likely to further goose the economy, at least in the near term. You can bet, then, that early in his presidency, Trump will be touting all sorts of governmentsourced economic data as evidence (See ECONOMY on page six)
Republican Senate and House leaders who have summarily decided on a “repeal and dawdle” plan for Obamacare don’t seem to understand what they are up against. They see House and Senate majorities, an incoming president who vowed to repeal all of Obamacare and a reconciliation process that allows them to gut Obamacare taxes and subsidies, essentially killing the program with 51 votes in the Senate. Do they understand it won’t be that easy? The first problem is The Republicans in the House and American Senate. Several Republicans Hospital Association have already voiced doubts and the about repealing Obamacare Federation with no ready replacement. of American Every freshman congressman Hospitals . from an unsafe district should . . fired off a damning be voicing his or her concern. new report Repeal Obamacare and then warning that go back to the voters in 2018 . . . the hoswith nothing?! Not making pital industry would lose health care coverage disappear $165.8 billion is a big risk for those lawmak- through cuts ers who promised something to Medicaid alone. better than Obamacare. Next are the voters, including the Rust Belt working-class whites, a group that surely benefited from the marketplace subsidies, as reports like this one from the Atlantic magazine point out: Among those whose incomes are less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level - just around $49,000 for a family of four this year whites actually gained insurance at relatively high rates. Data from the 2016 and 2014 shows that the proportion of uninsured, low-income white people dropped by 8.6 percent from 2013 to 2015, which outpaced the national average of 8.1 percent. Coverage for members of the white working class significantly outpaced blacks and Hispanics. When members of Trump’s base start writing letters, sharing hardship stories with local media and appearing at Trump events, Trump may very well call off the “repeal and delay” strategy. Republicans who think he is locked into their strategy haven’t been paying attention. Trump doesn’t want to be seen as unsympathetic. (He won’t “let people die in the streets,” he famously declared.) It took him only one meeting with President Obama to concede that two parts of Obamacare (coverage for those with preexisting conditions and allowing adult children up to 26 years old to stay on their parents’ plan) had to stay. With only 25 percent of the electorate approving of Obamacare repeal, he could very well turn on a dime, leaving the Republicans in Congress blowing in the wind. And then there are the hordes of sympathetic interest groups who are about to descend on Washington. In 2017, you may hear quite a lot from the Alliance for Healthcare Security. Liberals did their legwork and organized a mammoth coalition to defend Obamacare. Americans, by and large, like their doctors, and when doctors start warning of a healthcare crisis, many lawmakers will buckle at the knees. (The American Medical Association has already warned that it will oppose any plan that (See WAR on page six)
The Scott County Record • Page 6 • December 29, 2016
Reflecting on the past year in K-12 education by John Schrock
Statewide tours by Kansas Education Commissioner Watson and State Board members drew widespread enthusiasm at the (moderate) reduction in testing under the new federal ESSA that replaces No Child Left Behind. Nevertheless, most of the punitive measures introduced fifteen years ago remain embedded in the state laws modified to be compliant with
Talk
(continued from page four)
language to get a handle on - the big declarative textbook sentences don’t work in that context - so much is conveyed by tone, by harrumph and sigh and nonsense sounds, the Danish equivalents of “oy” and “uff da” and “yikes.” Flying back to New York and walking through JFK, I felt immersed in small talk, like a sea lion returning to the herd. My dad loved Florida. His Minnesota life was constrained by family and church and job, and in Florida he went into business as an itinerant knife-sharpener, working a long route of restaurants, meeting strangers, making small talk, which he dearly loved. He was a Christian fundamentalist, bound by strict doctrine, but on the knife route, he could talk about weather, children, sports, cars, without reference to the Rapture and the Millennium. It was the freedom to be ordinary. The Indian River highway was a disappointment: a two-lane road along a solid phalanx of mansions behind gates and no place to stop and admire the Atlantic. But, the conversation with the guy curious about the green Kia was memorable. Two weeks have passed since, and I haven’t had another encounter like it. They say the country is bitterly divided. Maybe so, but that’s no reason to be rude. My mailman likes to banter, and so do the guys at Lloyd’s Automotive and the cabdrivers. So what’s going on with you? Cat got your tongue? Where’d you get that sweater? What’s that product you put on your hair?
NCLB. In contrast to the prior emphasis on external assessment of language and math, the new Kansas CAN initiative shifts emphasis to developing students’ “soft skills.” However, the Commissioner has had to emphasize that academics are not being abandoned. Definition of “success” now shifts to kindergarten readiness and other factors. The Kansas high school graduate is con-
. . . most Kansas schools made a major investment in one-to-one computing, often replacing textbooks with tablets without faculty input. Despite overwhelming student preferences for print, the much higher costs of the media, and lack of bonafide evidence of student effectiveness, administrators do like to have their schools appear state-of-the-art despite flat or declining scores on reliable academic measures such as the SAT, ACT and NAEP.
sidered successful if he/ she completes postsecondary education, gains an industry recognized certification, or enters the military. (Unfortunately, a high school graduate who returns to work on the
2017 “Was it because this is a voter base that relates to the anxieties of an invasion and collapse of the world as they know it?” asks Wolf Blitzer. “No, it’s because the audience could relate to a nation that’s been overtaken by a species whose brains no longer function,” replies Conway. * * * Over the protest of school districts across the state, the Kansas Legislature approved a con-
family farm is not considered “successful.”) In 2010, 45 states had adopted the “Common Core” with the anticipation of using common core tests for acrossstate comparisons. The
federal Department of Education gave two consortia, Smarter Balanced and the Partnership for Assessment in Readiness for Colleges and Careers over $330 million in 2010 to develop the common core tests. Today, only 21 states are now using these tests. Instead, many states are using the ACT or SAT college entrance exams. Over half of the states are now allowing a computer science course to
count as a science or math credit for graduation, a trend that the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics warns could undermine American students’ math. Taking a course in coding may sound state-ofthe-art, but the U.S. still has to hire 200,000 foreign born and educated coders and is outsourcing more coding jobs. The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance
sets in KDOT, shut down KPERS and sell off the tobacco settlement that funds early childhood programs will produce an estimated $770 million, “and possibly more.” “Brilliant,” says Senate President Susan Wagle. “And I was afraid the governor was going to force us to come up with a plan.” * * * In May, Trump announces he has reached a deal with China to fulfill
his campaign pledge to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. “They make my ties, they built half the transcontinental RR, why not a wall?” tweeted Trump. When asked about the missed opportunity to employ Americans, Labor Secretary Andy Puzder responded, “The Chinese were willing to work for minimum wage and no benefits. These are my kind of people.”
(See EDUCATION on page 7)
(continued from page four)
cealed-carry bill for high school and middle school students. “This will not only make our young people more secure when they attend classes, but will give them a greater appreciation for the Second Amendment,” said former state representative Travis Couture-Lovelady who promoted the concealedcarry bill on college campuses and is now a lobbyist with the NRA. Asked why the bill
Putin to start getting intelligence briefings by Andy Borowitz
NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) - In what Donald Trump’s transition-team members are calling a further example of international coöperation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to receive daily U.S. intelligence briefings in the place of the President-elect. Trump, who had earlier decided that he did not need the briefings and had assigned VicePresident-elect Mike Pence to receive them, said on Tuesday that Putin was a “much better choice.” “No offense to Mike, but Vladimir Putin is just a terrific, terrific guy to do this,” he said. “He knows all the players.” Trump said that, while he was “totally uninterested” in receiving the briefings, Putin appeared to be “extremely interested.” “He’s just terrific,” he said. Trump also touted his deal-making prowess in securing the Russian President’s services. “The American people are getting an amazing deal here,” he said. “Putin is doing this totally for free.”
didn’t also include grade schools, Couture-Lovelady said, “There’s always the next legislative session. We don’t have to win all our battles at once.” * * * In his State of the State address, Gov. Brownback unveils his plan to close the $350 million hole in the current budget year and a projected $582 shortfall in the following year’s budget. He says plans to dismantle and sell off all as-
War takes away coverage, which presumably would nix a plan that offers access, but not actual coverage.) We have already seen hospital organizations leap into the fray. A powerful coalition of hospitals is previewing a fierce attack against GOP leaders if lawmakers follow through on their promise to repeal ObamaCare. The American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals . . . fired off a damning new report warning that its industry stood to take a massive financial hit under the repeal of ObamaCare. The 41-page report, which was conducted by the firm Dobson DaVanzo and Associates, showed
Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com
(continued from page five)
the hospital industry would lose $165.8 billion through cuts to Medicaid alone. It’s the most high-profile study yet by a healthcare industry that’s fearful of an abrupt ObamaCare repeal after the surprise victory of Donald Trump. And finally, repeal without an immediate replacement will likely spook insurance companies, many of whom have fled from the exchanges. To prevent them from leaving the marketplace exchanges altogether, Congress may have to “subsidize” them via the risk corridors or alter the requirement that at least 80 percent of revenue goes to paying claims. That is going to be
intensely unpopular. Republicans may very well jam through a repeal of Obamacare with no alternative plan in sight. They may be surprised, however, at the resistance they encounter and the magnitude of the opposition. Rather than be an “easy” win early in the new president’s term, it may turn into a knockdown-drag-out fight, or even a punt to delay action. What sounds good in a campaign ad or a white paper often becomes much more problematic when facing the consequences of such a monumental about-face in policy. Jennifer Rubin is a conservative columnist for The Washington Post
Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author
Election
CIA backed a coup against him. In the decades of civil war that followed, U.S.-backed security forces were accused of carryGarrison Keillor is an author ing out a genocide against and radio personality indigenous Guatemalans. In Chile, after voters elected the socialist Salvador Allende, the CIA spearheaded a bloody coup to install the rightwing dictator Augusto Pinochet, who went on to torture and disappear tens of thousands of Chileans. “I don’t see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people,” U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger purportedly said about the coup he helped orchestrate there.
Economy (continued from page five)
And those are only the most well-known examples. I don’t raise any of this history to excuse Russia’s alleged meddling in our election - which, if true, is outrageous. Only to suggest that now, maybe, we know how it feels. We should remember that feeling as Trump, who’s spoken fondly of authoritarian rulers from Russia to Egypt to the Philippines and beyond, comes into office. Meanwhile, much of the world must be relieved to see the CIA take a break from subverting democracy abroad to protect it at home. Peter Certo is the editorial manager of the Institute for Policy Studies
Have questions about the Scott Community Foundation? call 872-3790 or e-mail: julie@scottcf.org
of his tremendous success. Well, all sorts of economic data except the deficit numbers, maybe. But, here’s the risk. With so many economic metrics already so strong, there’s likely only one direction the economy can head in the medium term: down. Recent Federal Reserve forecasts suggest that we’ve already reached close to full employment, that inflation will soon pick up and that output growth will continue to slog along at our new normal of about two percent. Of course, Fed Chair Janet Yellen recently acknowledged that the delicate art of forecasting is especially challenging, given the “cloud of uncertainty” surrounding Trump’s fiscal policies. In the same news conference, she also gingerly suggested that there might not be an obvious need for fiscal stimulus right now,
(continued from page five)
given how close we are to full employment. Other economic analysts have noted that stimulus at this point risks overheating the economy. Not to mention that if Trump implemented some of the other wacky policies he’s flirted with - a trade war, mass deportation, defaulting on our federal debt obligations, returning to the gold standard - a painful recession would ensue, according to multiple private-sector economic forecasters. Regardless, the historical record suggests that four more years of expansion are unlikely. That is, even if recoveries don’t die of old age, and even if Trump doesn’t spark a worldwide financial crisis by refusing to raise the debt ceiling, it seems reasonable to expect that we might face a recession at some point during his presidency. So, what happens when the numbers turn against him?
Three consequences seem likely. One, the administration will start searching for scapegoats other than Trump’s own party and its choices. Immigrants, minorities, Fed officials: Watch out. Two, assuming Trump will have already signed a major fiscal stimulus package during an expansion, there won’t be much powder left in the keg when Keynesian stimulus is actually needed. That is, fiscal tools available to mitigate the recession will be unusually limited. And three, the numbers will become suspect once again, and Trump may even try to mess with the official government numbers to suit his narrative. This - and not a recession, blame-gaming or impotent policy response - would cause the most enduring damage to our democracy. Catherine Rampell is a columnist at The Washington Post
The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Education survey found that threequarters of U.S. children are not getting the recommended physical activity per week. On November 14, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of Citizens for Objective Public Education. COPE, a group representing Kansas parents, challenged the Kansas use of the Next Generation Science Standards on its heavy emphasis on evolution. COPE claimed the NGSS constituted a government establishment of a non-theistic religion and violated parents free exercise of their own religion. Both the federal district court and the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals had rejected COPE’s argument, finding that the alleged harm was abstract and that the standards did not condemn or endorse
(continued from page six)
“As states think about any religion. The U.S. Supreme Court declined the future of online educato hear any further appeal. tion, they should rethink their expectations and Virtual High Schools policies.... Funders, eduIn a special investi- cators, policymakers, and gation, the November parents cannot, in good 3 issue of “Education conscience, ignore the Week” provided a scath- fact that students are falling report on the dramat- ing a full year behind their ic failure of virtual high peers in math and nearly schools in “Rewarding half a school year in readFailure: An Education ing, annually.” Week Investigation of the Nevertheless, most Cyber Charter Industry.” Kansas schools made a The Walton Family major investment in oneFoundation, the largest to-one computing, often private funder of charter replacing textbooks with schools, commissioned tablets without faculty three separate studies of input. online charters and found Despite overwhelm“...over the course of a ing student preferences school year, the students for print, the much higher in virtual charters learned costs of the media, and the equivalent of 180 lack of bonafide evidence fewer days in math and of student effectiveness, 72 fewer days in reading administrators do like to than their peers in tradi- have their schools appear tional charter schools, on state-of-the-art despite average. flat or declining scores on
reliable academic mea- alternate licensure which sures such as the SAT, will provide content trainACT and NAEP. ing. The other portion Inflated Grad Rates merely attended a sumHigh school gradua- mer workshop, confirmtions rates in both Kansas ing the argument that and the U.S. hit a record there is nothing to prevent high - figures too good a welder from teaching to be true because they English. However, these are. Education experts and locally “licensed” teachnational media immedi- ers will not be able to ately pointed out the many transfer to other districts ways that graduation rates - for now. were inflated. Many Kansas superIn many schools in intendents were alarmed Kansas and across the that the Higher Learning nation, it is becoming Commission was moving impossible for a student toward enforcing a masto not graduate - short of ters degree with 18-credithours-in-the-field-taught dying. The Coalition of requirement for those high Independent Schools that school teachers teaching are no longer required to courses for college credit. Despite these dual hire state licensed teachers expanded to seven credit courses having districts. The Kansas been originally designed City Kansas district hired for a few advanced about two dozen teach- “Doogie Howsers,” many ers, half who are pursuing high schools are using the Pittsburg State University goal of having most or
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all of their high school students achieve a year of college credit before they graduate as a symbol of supposed quality. Enforcement of the HLC requirements begins in fall of 2017. The State Board heard a report on the Kansas teacher shortage that showed a drop in veteran teachers and regions with greater shortages, but failed to examine new licensure data or provide any solutions of substance beyond more recruitment efforts or diluting Kansas science teacher requirements. Meanwhile, everyone in Kansas education is holding their breath awaiting the Kansas Supreme Court decision on the adequacy of K–12 education funding.
Tuesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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TOPs Meeting, First Christian Church, 5:30 p.m.
Story Time, SC Library: 3-years and under, 10:05 a.m.; 3-6 years, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Teacher Work Day
SCMS Quiz Bowl, Home, 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
6 SCHS BBall, Ulysses (T), 6:30 p.m.
7 SCHS Wrestling Tournament, Norton (T), 9:30 a.m.
Scott County Commission Meeting, 3:00 p.m. SCHS BBall, Southwestern Heights (T), 6:30 p.m. City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
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The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Two early-day hotels in Scott City were the Grand Central (above left), located where Lawrence and Associates is today, and the Northern, located on the site of Wheatland Electric. Both were destroyed by fire, the Grand Central in 1912.
Historic Now she’s in the process of identifying each building, or building site, with a plaque that tells when a building was constructed and it’s original occupant. The first three plaques have been located on the First Christian Church, the Timmerman building and Cretcher Lumber (currently Panache). “The plaques are a way to inform people about these buildings and give them a greater appreciation of our history,” she says. These three plaques were purchased for $850 each with assistance from a Scott City sales tax grant. The building owners agree to pay another $50 to have them installed. In time, Lawrence hopes to locate plaques on about 30 buildings. Some, such as the one planned for Wheatland Electric, will recognize the former Northern Hotel which was located on that site and was one of two major hotels in Scott City that came into existence during the 1880s. The two-story building was destroyed by fire. The Grand Central Hotel, located in the vicinity of Lawrence and Associates, was also a two-story building destroyed by fire in about 1912. Watching for History While the Scott County Historical Society and their two history books are a great source of information, Lawrence has also been able to get more photos and information from former News-Chronicle publisher Bill Boyer. Being in the real estate business has also provided
(continued from page one)
Lawrence with access to many old buildings and homes in the community. “I’ll ask people for any history they have of a building if I’m being asked to sell it, or if I see old photos on the walls I’ll ask permission to make copies,” she says. “I’ve accumulated quite a lot.” Crabtree Apartments The oldest known structure in Scott City is what was once known as the Crabtree Apartments. Located between U Pump It and Rodenbeek and Green Agency, the building, which still includes apartments, was built in 1886. The National Hotel (later to become the Robinson Hotel and currently The Broiler) is still standing, though it’s been added to twice over the years. The north section is the original construction which was erected in the 1890s. Most of the business buildings located north of the Timmerman site to the end of the block (originally, Roark building and today known as Giftologists) were built from 1910 to 1920. Even most of the buildings across the street, in the 600 block of Main Street, were built during the early 1900s. “It’s easy to be fooled by a new facade that’s been added over the years. I was surprised to learn that DecMart (Furniture) was built in the early 1900s,” says Lawrence. “It has the original tin ceiling and an elevator. Even though (the elevator) is no longer working it has all the original parts and it looks great. It’s like stepping back in time.”
Cretcher Lumber (above, Panache today) as it appeared in this 1922 photo.
A.B. Timmerman Building Following is a story that appeared in The Scott City News (March 19, 1903): The manager of the City Drug Store has been engaged in the drug business from the time he was a mere boy. He studied pharmacy and medicine under his father, Dr. J.D. Timmerman, of Liepsie, Ohio. In 1889, he purchased the City Drug Store in Scott City. Since that time, he has doubled the size of both building and stock and added a fine soda fountain.” He went on to build the two-story brick building that was a landmark in downtown Scott City for nearly 110 years. According to courthouse records, it was built in 1905. Many businesses were located in the building over the years on the main level and upstairs. “Even though it was lost to fire, it stood proudly for over a century,” says local real estate agent Deb Lawrence. “Instead of leaving a bare hole on Main Street, the current owners have done a very nice job of saving what was left and created a nice grassy park area,” she says. “There is still enough of the front of the building to not let us forget its proud history.”
Cretcher Lumber This business was established in 1904 by L.W. Cretcher, who operated the business until his death in 1934. The business was purchased from Cretcher’s estate by C.L. Costello, who had been associated with Cretcher for several years. This building includes 2,000 square feet on the main level, 2,000 square feet upstairs and a partial basement. Over the years it has been used for apartments, businesses, a teen center and dance studio. It is now owned by Skip and Tonni Numrich. The main floor is home to Panache and the upstairs includes bedrooms and a large area available for family gatherings.
Lawrence was fascinated to learn that the building immediately north of her location (Barber Sheet Metal, owned by Ray Griswold) was once a bakery. “At one time they were baking thousands of loaves of bread each day
As time - and the occasional disaster - eventually take a toll on many buildings, and as tenants come and go, Lawrence wants to assure that future generations know what preceded them. “This isn’t just to bring back memories for those
that were being distributed by railroad to all the area towns,” says Lawrence, who hasn’t had any luck finding photos of the bakery. “It’s another example of a piece of history that very few people know about.”
First Christian Church The first church was built in 1893, but was replaced by the current structure in 1932. The basement was completed in 1932, but due the Depression and World War II, materials and funding were in short supply. The main level wasn’t completed until 18 years later when it was dedicated in 1950. “At the time it was dedicated, it was debt-free,” notes Patsi Graham, whose late husband, Tom, was a former pastor. who still remember some of these early drug stores and banks and other businesses,” Lawrence says. “The history of a town says something about its people and who we are. I want to help make sure that our history isn’t forgotten.”
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The Scott County Record • Page 9 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
The Scott County Record • Page 10 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Youth/Education
Section B Page 11 Thursday, December 29, 2016
Wiebe awarded Rural Opportunity Scholarship Abe Wiebe, a freshman attending Kansas State University, has been awarded a $750 scholarship from Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Known as the Rural Opportunity Scholarship, it was awarded on the basis of academics and leadership. Majoring in agronomy with a minor in agricultur-
al economics, he is the son of Abram and Elizabeth Wiebe, Scott City. Delta Upsilon is a nonsecret fraternity and one of the largest on the KSU campus. This past year, the KSU chapter won the sweepstakes trophy, competing against 72 other DU chapters in the U.S. and Canada.
SCES awarded $1,000 grant through BC/BS Annie Emberton, district-wide nurse for Scott County schools, has been awarded a $1,000 grant by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The grant will be used to purchase scales that can determine weight, height and body fat of students at Scott City Elementary School. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation annually awards Healthy Habits for Life grants to Kansas schools to help nurses, teachers and administra-
tors fund programs or activities aimed at helping children reduce their cardiovascular risk, increase their physical activity or learn healthy eating habits. The Foundation awarded 155 grants totaling $149,485 to students in 66 counties. In its 11 year history, BC/BS has distributed 1,237 Healthy Habits for Life Grants totaling $1.16 million. The maximum of each grant is $1,000.
Dearden on KWU Dean’s list Krissa Dearden, Scott City, has been named to the Dean’s Honor at Kansas Wesleyan University for the fall semester. The honor list includes full-time students with a 3.25 to 3.74 grade point average. There were 179 students named to the honor list for the fall semester.
Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Shane Gaschler (third from left) and organization treasurer Melvin Lickteig present a check for $3,872.18 to the special education staff in USD 466. Staff members include (from left) Laura Meireis, inter-related teacher; Jerrie Brooks, SCHS inter-related teacher; Kim Roberts, SCES inter-related teacher; Jody Baehler, SCMS inter-related teacher; Amy Ricker, SCES inter-related teacher; Dustin Hughes, SCHS interrelated teacher; and Linda Armstrong, gifted facilitator. (Record Photo)
Tootsie Roll drive raises $3,872 for special ed services in district Special education services in USD 466 (Scott County) and the state Special Olympics have been presented with nearly $5,200 in donations from the local Knights of Columbus Council No. 5212. The donations were raised from the annual Tootsie Roll fund drive held in the fall. Special education services in USD 466 received a recordsetting 3,872.18 - $33 more than the previous record. It also topped last year’s total of $3,649. Another $1,000 is earmarked for the southwest area Special Olympics organization.
The Knights also donated $300 to the Dodge City REACH program which sponsors special needs children who attend Camp Christy near Lake Scott State Park during the summer. More than $1,200 was donated to the Kansas Special Olympics to support athletics at the state level. Donations are based on the Knight’s “Commitment to Humanity” campaign. The majority of the council’s fundraising proceeds remain in the local area. The donation to USD 466 benefits the Early Childhood
Development program in addition to students in each of the district’s attendance centers. There are about eight classroom teachers who share in the contributions. The southwest area Special Olympics program uses the donation to help youth who participate in basketball, track and other activities. Area Olympians will compete in the annual district basketball tournament to be held in Scott City in February. They also have the opportunity to compete in the state track meet held at Wichita in June.
Child care providers object to more training Parents will pay more for child care under a state of Kansas plan to increase training requirements for workers, providers warned recently as they voiced opposition. The proposed regulations from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment could still change, but most providers who showed up at a public hearing complained the rule changes would prove financially burdensome. KDHE’s plan hikes the
number of hours of annual in-service training needed for primary care providers - those most often directly supervising and interacting with children - to 16 hours. The change would require several additional hours for workers. Administrators of preschools and child care centers would have to complete 24 hours of training annually. Patty Bullock, said the rule change would force her to go to her seven professional teachers at
Prince of Peace Preschool in Topeka, where she serves as director, and ask them to do more. “The way that’s going to get accomplished is I’m going to have to go to the parents and ask them to pay more to do that. And that’s wrong,” Bullock told the dozens gathered in Topeka for the hearing. “I feel like my staff is very well-versed on topics of early childhood.” Bullock makes sure her staff has the required training hours now, but adds
that they complete hours of off-the-books training through her own instruction. Training needs to be useful, not frivolous, she argued. “I understand there are people that come in on entry level,” Bullock said. “But I’ve got people that have been working for me for 19 years. They don’t need training on how to conduct a positive parentteacher conference.” Increasing costs leave parents with fewer options, said Kenneth Prost, direc-
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tor of the Lawrence Child Development Center. The higher cost may drive some parents to home daycare, which he said is under-regulated. KDHE says the regulatory changes are needed to implement federal requirements. In an economic impact statement, the agency said it is working with providers to ensure training requirements can be met and that a number of training opportunities are available at little or no cost.
The agency didn’t identify less costly or intrusive ways to accomplish its goals. The increases in training requirements are “intended to better prepare licensees and caregivers in order to provide safe child care practices.” The proposal also increases regulations surrounding the administration of medication to children. And it allows child care providers to report suspected child abuse or (See TRAINING on page 18)
www.ssbscott.com Ask for
*Qualification Information: Qualifications vary by account. Account transactions and activities may take one or more days to post and settle to the account and all must do so during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in order to qualify for the account’s rewards. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period between one (1) business day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle through one (1) business day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Reward Information: Rewards vary by account. When account qualifications are met you will receive reimbursements up to $25.00 ($4.99 per single transaction) for nationwide ATM fees incurred during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in which you qualified. An ATM receipt must be presented within sixty (60) calendar days of transaction for reimbursements of individual ATM fees of $5.00 or higher. In addition, depending on what Kasasa checking or savings account you have, you will also receive one of the following cash rewards: Interest on your checking balances (Kasasa Cash) or cash back on debit card purchases (Kasasa Cash Back). When your Kasasa account qualifications are not met, only non-qualifying interest is earned in the interest bearing account (Kasasa Cash) and all other reward distributions are not made. Rewards will be credited to your Kasasa account on the last day of the current statement cycle. Additional Information: Account approval, conditions, qualifications, limits, timeframes, enrollments, log-ons and other requirements apply. Monthly enrollment and log-on to online banking, receipt of electronic statements, and 12 debit card purchases post and settle to account are qualifications of these accounts. Limit one (1) account per individual taxpayer identification number. There are no recurring monthly service charges or fees to open, maintain, or close this account. Contact one of our bank representatives for additional information, details, restrictions, processing limitations and enrollment instructions. Member FDIC. Kasasa, Kasasa Cash, Kasasa Cash Back, and Kasasa Saver are trademarks of Kasasa, Ltd. Registered in the U.S.A. Kasasa, Kasasa Cash, Kasasa Cash Back, Kasasa Tunes and Kasasa Giving are trademarks of Kasasa, Ltd., registered in the U.S.A.
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The Scott County Record
The Scott County Record Page 12 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Prepare for Medicare Part A and B price changes by Nathaniel Sillin
If you’re eligible for Medicare, or will be in the coming year, there are a few changes you should know about for 2017. An increase in the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) means there’ll be an increase in Social
Security benefits and Medicare Part B premiums. For most recipients the increases almost offset each other, but those who aren’t covered by the “hold harmless” provision (about 30 percent of recipients) face a larger Part B premium increase. These changes, along with several others, will
Scott City Council Agenda Tuesday, January 3 City Hall • 221 W. 5th Regular session begins at 7:30 p.m. •Call to order •Approve minutes of Dec. 19 regular meeting
go into effect soon and you should consider how they could affect your budget. A slight increase in your Social Security benefits. Since 1975, Social Security benefits have an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The adjustment depends on the CPI and helps keep
your benefits in line with the rising cost of goods. There wasn’t a COLA for 2016 benefits, but there is a .3 percent adjustment for next year. Meaning, you’ll get an additional $3 per $1,000 you receive in benefits. The estimated average monthly benefit for all retired workers is expected to increase $5,
Scott County Commission Agenda Tuesday, January 3 County Courthouse 3:00 p.m. County Business 1) December accounts payable 2) Change orders 3) December payroll 3:30 p.m. Public Works Director Richard Cramer
•Approve GAAP resolution Agenda may change before the meeting. Contact County
•Mayor’s appointments to Planning/Zoning Commission •Consider merit, cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for city employees •Open agenda: audience is invited to voice ideas or concerns. A time limit may be requested.
Clerk Alice Brokofsky for an updated agenda (872-2420) or visit www.scott.kansasgov.com
Scott Co. LEC Report
Police Department 1) Misc. business
Scott City Police Department Dec. 26: An accident occurred in the 700 block of Church Street when Michael LeBlanc was attempting to turn and due to icy conditions slid into a pole. Dec. 26: John Nelson, 21, was arrested for criminal possession of a firearm, domestic battery, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the LEC. Dec. 26: Cheyenne McGahan, 23, turned herself in at the LEC on a warrant for violation of conditions of her bond.
Parks Department 1) Misc. business
Public Notice
Pool Department 1) Advertise for pool manager, assistant pool manager and lifeguards 2) Set monthly and hourly salaries 3) Year-end pool data
Public Works Department 1) Misc. business Clerk’s Department 1) Misc. business •Mayor’s comments
Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 15, 2016; last published Thurs., Dec. 29, 2016)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS CIVIL DEPARTMENT JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Chase Home Finance LLC, successor by merger to Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation Plaintiff, vs. Kristan R. Smyth and Sunni R. Smyth, et al. Defendants Case No. 16CV5 Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 60 NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of an Order of Sale issued to me by the Clerk of the District Court of Scott County, Kansas, the undersigned Sheriff of Scott County, Kansas, will offer for sale at public auction and sell to the highest bidder for cash in hand, at the Front Door of the Courthouse at Scott City, Scott County, Kansas, on January 10, 2017, at 10:00 AM, the following real estate: LOT SIX (6) AND THE SOUTH SEVENTEEN FEET (S17’) OF LOT FOUR (4) AND
THE NORTH SEVEN FEET (N7’) OF LOT EIGHT (8) IN BLOCK TWO (2) IN THOMAS ADDITION TO SCOTT CITY, KANSAS ALSO DESCRIBED AS: LOT SIX (6) AND THE SOUTH SEVENTEEN FEET (17’) OF LOT FOUR (4) AND THE NORTH SEVEN FEET (N7’) OF LOT EIGHT (8) IN BLOCK TWO (2) IN THOMAS ADDITION TO SCOTT CITY, SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS, commonly known as 804 Madison, Scott City, KS 67871 (the “Property”) to satisfy the judgment in the above-entitled case. The sale is to be made without appraisement and subject to the redemption period as provided by law, and further subject to the approval of the Court. For more information, visit www.Southlaw.com Glenn Anderson, Sheriff Scott County, Kansas Prepared By: SouthLaw, P.C. Blair T. Gisi (KS #24096) 245 N. Waco, Suite 410 Wichita, KS 67202 (316) 684-7733 (316) 684-7766 (Fax) Attorneys for Plaintiff (189620)
(First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 15, 2016; last published Thurs., Dec. 29, 2016)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS In the Matter of the Marriage of YAMEL GARCIA, PETITIONER, and LUIS SERVANDO PENA BAYLON, RESPONDENT Case No. 2016-DM-46 NOTICE OF SUIT The State of Kansas to the defendant above named designated and all other persons who are or may be concerned: You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed in the District Court of Scott County, Kansas, by Yamel Garcia, Petitioner, praying for a decree of absolute divorce from Respondent, Luis
Servando Pena Baylon. That the address of Luis Servando Pena Baylon is unknown to this Petitioner and he is a resident of the country of Mexico. You are hereby required to plead to said Petition on or before January 27, 2017, in said Court at the Courthouse at the City of Scott City in the County of Scott, Kansas. Should you fail therein, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon said petition. John Shirley #8117 Attorney for Petitioner WALLACE, BRANTLEY & SHIRLEY 325 Main Street - P.O. Box 605 Scott City, Kansas, 67871 (620) 872-2161 Attorneys for Petitioner
from $1,355 to $1,360. Medicare Part B premiums will also rise. The COLA also affects Medicare Part B premiums, the part of Medicare that covers some types of procedures and medical equipment. However, for about 70 percent of Medicare recipients, the Social Security Act’s
“hold harmless” provision prohibits an increase to Medicare B premiums of more than the previous year’s COLA adjustment. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, held harmless recipients will pay $109 per month, an increase of $4.10. (See CHANGES on page 13)
Register of Deeds Howard and Dulcisima Lehman to Candace Waltz, north 40 ft. of Lot 8, Blk. 20, Original Town. Scot Aytes to Western Kansas Property Management, west 90 ft. of Lots 10 and 11, Blk. 42, Original Town. Scot Aytes to Western Kansas Property Management, Lot 9, Blk. 4, East Acres Addition. Tallgrass Interstate Gas Transmission to Midwest Energy, a tract in SW4 of 16-18-33. Angel and Joanna Olivas to Jesus Saenz Ruiz and Beatriz Castillo Quezada, Lot 2, Blk. 4, Southview 2nd Addition. Jason and Nichole Baker to Lester Bose and Shalea Beckman, Lot 3, Blk. 6, Southview First Addition. Antonio and M. Vidal Navarrete to Frediberto Chino and Maria Quiroz, Lot 1 and 3, Blk. 3, Thomas Addition. Gerald and Kathy Koehn to Phil and Dana Steffens, E2 of Lots 2, 3 and 6, Blk. 10, McLain, Swan and Sangster Addition. Terry and Joanne Harper to Phil and Dana Steffens, E2 of Lots 2, 3 and 6, Blk. 10, McLain, Swan and Sangster Addition. Jena Johnson to Ricardo and Katherine Trejo, Lot 6 and north 5 ft. of Lot 7, Blk. 47, Original Town. Urla Hopkins to Richard McEachern, Lot 12, Blk. 11, Fairlawn Addition.
The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
County Commission December 6, 2016 The Scott County Commissioners met on Dec. 6. Members present were Chairman James Minnix, members Jerry Buxton and Gary Skibbe; and County Clerk Alice Brokofsky. •Commissioners received a letter from the Groundwater Management District board of directors that the weather modification program has suspended operations for 2017. They will attempt to find resources to reestablish the program in the future. •Extension of the deadline for the sale of land to Robert Mangold was discussed. Because of a discrepancy in the deed the deadline was extended until Jan. 30. •Scott County Treasurer Lark Speer presented Zella Carpenter checks in the amount of $12,792 for October and November special assistance and a check in the amount of $11,016.10 for full payment of the 2016 tax statement. •A conference call was held between County Attorney Rebecca Faurot and commissioners. Faurot discussed the indigent defense contracts and the deed to the Robert Mangold property. •Suzanne Griffith requested that the commissioners approve a liquor license application for Bellwether Barn LLC. The commission granted approval for her to seek a license from the state. •District Judge Ed Frock discussed changes he would like to make to the courtroom. They will be paid for out of the law library fund. •Public Works Director Richard Cramer gave an update on a new employee hire and discussed the estimate for a new pit at the landfill. •An agreement with Lane-Scott Electric to move electric line at the landfill was approved. •The following road permits were approved and signed: Landmark Resources: access to drilling site on Cherokee Rd. S33, T16S, R34W. Landmark Resources: access to drilling site on Cherokee Rd. S1, T17S, R34W. •Cramer presented the plan for snow removal that will be distributed to county entities. •Commissioners gave approval for Cramer to bid up to $28,500 for the purchase of a snow plow truck. •County health director Dana Shapland joined the meeting. The commissioners and Shapland entered into executive session. Following the executive session, Shapland briefed commissioners on changes at the health department. A part time position has not been filled yet. Shapland informed the commission she will be submitting her resignation in the near future. She expressed her confidence in Edith Tarango to be considered as her replacement.
Public Notice (Published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 29, 2016)1t ORDINANCE NO. 1177 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE ONE, CHAPTER SEVEN, OF THE CODIFICATION OF THE ORDINANCES OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS RELATING TO CITY ELECTIONS AND REPEALING THE EXISTING SECTION. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF SCOTT CITY, KANSAS, SECTION I: Title 1, Chapter 7, is hereby amended to read as follows: 1-7-1: ELECTION OF CITY OFFICERS; TERMS: On the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year, there shall be elected a Mayor, one Councilmember from each ward and a City Treasurer. The Mayor and City Treasurer shall hold a term of office for a period of two (2) years. Each Councilmember elected shall hold an office for a period of four (4) years. 1-7-2: CONDUCTED IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE STATUTE: The election of the City officers shall be held in compliance with the provisions of Kansas Statutes Annotated Article 21 of Chapter 25. 1-7-3: QUALIFICATION OF MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER: The Mayor and City Councilmembers must be qualified electors of the City as provided in the Kansas Constitution Article 5, Section 1. The Mayor may live at any location within the City. Councilmembers must live within specified wards. The Councilmembers must be actual residents of the ward for which elected at the time of their election. 1-7-4: VACANCIES IN OFFICE: A. Resignation: A resignation does not take effect with its presentation. It must be accepted to be effective. A person who accepts a public office, either after election or by appointment, cannot divest himself of that office by his own act. Once having accepted the office, the person continues in office until his or her resignation has been accepted by the City Council. B. Vacancy: If any council member moves from the ward from which elected, the office shall be deemed vacant.
C. Mayor: When a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor by resignation, death, removal from the City, removal from the office, refusal to qualify or otherwise, the President of the City Council becomes the Mayor until the next regular City election and a vacancy occurs in the office of the Councilmember becoming Mayor. The City Council then elects a new President of the City Council. D. Councilmember: Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of Councilmember, the Mayor and the remaining Councilmembers appoint an elector from the ward where the vacancy occurs and this person serves as Councilmember for the balance of the unexpired term of the Councilmember whose office was vacated. E. Councilmember Running for Mayor: If a holdover Councilmember runs for Mayor and is defeated, he does not lose his place on the City Council. If he is elected mayor, there is a vacancy in his place on the City Council and a successor shall be appointed. 1-7-5: WARD DIVISION: The City Council divides the City into wards, establishes the boundaries thereof and the numbers of the same. The territory of each ward should be contiguous and compact. Whenever the number of registered voters in any one ward exceeds by more than twenty percent (20%) of the number of registered voters in another ward, the City Council must change and redefine the boundaries of the wards so that the number of registered voters in each of the wards are as nearly equal as possible, but no such change can be made within thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for holding of election in such ward. SECTION II: The existing Title 1, Chapter 7, of the Codification of Ordinances of Scott City, Kansas is repealed. SECTION III: This ordinance shall take effect and be of force from and after its passage and publication in the official city paper. Passed by the council the 7th day of November, 2016. Dan Goodman, Mayor City of Scott City, Ks. ATTEST: Brenda K. Davis, MMC City Clerk
Changes If you aren’t held harmless, Part B premiums could increase by about 10 percent. The remaining 30 percent of Social Security beneficiaries will have their Part B premium increase by about 10 percent. You could fall into the non-held-harmless group if you: •Are a new enrollee; •Enrolled in Medicare but don’t receive Social Security benefits; •Get billed directly for Medicare Part B; •Receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits and your state Medicaid programs pay your Part B premium; or •Are a high-income earner subject to an income-adjusted premium. For the non-held-harmless group, the premium depends on the recipient’s (or couple’s when filing a joint tax return) adjusted gross income (AGI). Premium Hikes The lowest monthly premium, for individuals who have an AGI of $85,000 or less ($170,000 for couples), will increase from $121.80 to $134 a month per person. On the high end, for recipients with an AGI over $214,000 ($428,000 for couples), the monthly premium will increase from $389.80 to $428.60 per person. Medicare Part A and B deductibles will also increase. Most people don’t have to pay Medicare Part A premiums, but you could still
Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 22, 2016; last published Thurs., Jan. 5, 2017)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LARRY GLENN VULGAMORE, DECEASED No. 16PR30 NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are hereby notified that on December 19, 2016, a Petition for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters Testamentary under the Kansas Simplified Estates Act was filed in this Court by Judith Ann Vulgamore, an heir, devisee, or legatee, and Executor named in the Last Will and Testament of Larry Glenn Vulgamore, deceased, the will of Larry Glenn Vulgamore, deceased, was admitted to probate, and Judith Ann Vulgamore was appointed Executor. All creditors are notified to exhibit their demands against the estate within the latter of four months from the date of the first publication of this notice under K.S.A. 59-2236 and amendments thereto, or if the identity of the creditor is known or reasonably ascertainable, thirty days after actual notice was given as provided by law, and if their demands are not thus exhibited, they shall be forever barred. Judith Ann Vulgamore, Executor Kyler Knobbe Box 937 Cimarron, Kansas 67835 Phone: 620-855-3100 Lawyer for Executor
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have to pay a deductible or coinsurance for some Part A benefits. The deductible for inpatient hospital coverage, which helps cover the first 60 days of care, will increase from $1,288 to $1,316 per benefit period. Daily coinsurance for the 61st through 90th day of treatment will increase from $322 to $329. Daily coinsurance for day 91 on will rise from $644 to $658. Each day past day 90 counts towards your lifetime reserve. You have a maximum of 60 lifetime reserve days; after which you could be responsible for all costs. Skilled nursing facility care is completely covered for your first 20 days. Daily coinsurance for day 21 to 100 of skilled nursing care will increase to $164.50. You could be responsible for all costs beyond day 100. The Part B annual deductible will also increase, from $166 to $183. Generally, after you’ve met your deductible, you’ll pay 20 percent of Medicare-approved costs for services covered by Part B. Bottom line: Social Security benefits, Medicare Part B premiums and Part A and B deductibles and coinsurance will increase in 2017. Whether you’re held harmless or not, take steps to understand which changes could affect you and alter your budget accordingly.
Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 15, 2016; last published Thurs., Dec. 29, 2016)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS In the Matter of the Estate of RONALD E. BERLAND, deceased, Case No. 2016-PR-28 NOTICE OF HEARING AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS You are hereby notified that on the 8th day of December, 2016, a Petition was filed in this Court by Valerie Katich, a devisee and legatee, and Executor named in the Last Will and Testament of Ronald E. Berland, deceased, dated November 16, 2010, praying that the Will filed with the Petition be admitted to probate and record; that she be appointed as Executor without bond; that she be granted Letters Testamentary. You are required to file
your written defenses thereto on or before the 10th day of January, 2017, at 2:30 o’clock p.m., 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. All creditors are notified to exhibit their demands against the Estate within four months from the date of the first publication of this Notice, as provided by law, and if their demands are not thus exhibited, they shall be forever barred. Valerie Katich Petitioner WALLACE, BRANTLEY & SHIRLEY 325 Main Street - P.O. Box 605 Scott City, Kansas, 67871 (620) 872-2161 Attorneys for Petitioner
Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 22, 2016; last published Thurs., Dec. 29, 2016)2t APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND PLANNING/ZONING ANNUAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Scott City Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on January 12, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., at the Scott City Council Meeting Room at City Hall, 221 West 5th Street, Scott City, Kansas, to consider the following agenda items: 1) Application for conditional use permit by Armando Armendariz to erect a building to be used for equipment and machinery storage on the following described property: Lots Nine (9) and Twelve (12), Block Two (2), Websters Third Addition to the City of Scott City. 2) Application for conditional use permit by Great Western Tire of Scott City, LLC to install above ground storage tanks for fuel storage on the following described property: Lots One (1) thru Twelve (12), Block Four (4), Nonnamaker Addition to the City of Scott City. 3) Annual Planning and Zoning meeting All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at such hearing. Dated: December 20, 2016 Rodney Hogg, chairman Scott City Planning Commission
Pastime at Park Lane The Scott Mennonite Church led Sunday afternoon services. Residents played pitch and dominoes on Monday afternoon. Game helpers were Madeline Murphy, Joy Barnett, Dorothy King, Bert Lucas, Lynda Burnett and Mandy Barnett. Residents played Wii bowling on Monday evening. Pastor Bob Artz led Bible study on Tuesday morning. Elsie Nagel and Doris Riner led the hymns. Russel and Mary Webster led Bible study on Tuesday evening. Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran Bible study on Wednesday morning. Bingo was played on Wednesday afternoon. Helpers were Madeline Murphy, Barbara Dickhut and Mandy Barnett. Ladies from the First Christian Church deliv-
Holiday music performances
Naomi Teubner gave a music performance on Tuesday afternoon. Cookies after the program were furnished by Joy Nightingale and Jewel Unruh. Jan Huck, her daughter Abri, and her grandchildren Henry, Charles, Odessa, Sully and Lynlee, performed on Thursday afternoon. Christmas cookies were furnished by Bonnie Christensen and her granddaughters, Bella and Nevy Hernandez, following the program. ered gifts to each resident on Wednesday afternoon. Residents played pitch on Wednesday evening. Ladies received manicures on Thursday morning. Residents played trivia games on Thursday. Residents decorated the Christmas tree with present-shaped Rice Krispie treats. Fr. Bernard Felix led Catholic Mass on Friday morning. Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran services in the afternoon.
Residents played Wii bowling on Friday evening. Delores Brooks was visited by Charles Brooks; Shandon, Tina, Raegen and Sage Wolak; and Cheryl Perry. Corrine Dean was visited by Dianna Howard, Aaron Kropp, Caleb Powers and Damien Ortiz. Jake Leatherman was visited by Rod and Mary Ann Leatherman, Don and Amy Leatherman; Carrie, Christopher and Allison; and Faye Summerville.
Reece Roemer was visited by Joe and Mary Cramer; Gail and Molly Sharpe; Denis, Janet, Magee and Justin Roemer; Kenneth and Dana Roemer; Daryl, Virginia and Jeremy Clinton; Matthew, Marissa and Cale Clinton; and Karli Clinton. LaVera King was visited by Randy, Kay and Harrison King; Carol Latham, Shellie Carter and Forrest Gough. Arlene Beaton was visited by John and Colleen Beaton and Margie Stevens. Boots Haxton was visited by Rod and Kathy Haxton. Louise Crist was visited by Terry and Cindy Crist, Sue Rose, Darci and Tegan Cain, Jean Burgess; Josh and Breva Spencer and children; Heidi and Brinlie Stevens, Tava See, Patsi Graham and Pastor Jon Tuttle.
Hospitals make Cookers it easy to get SS card for newborn Often overlooked in the paperwork that prospective parents fill out in preparation for a child’s birth is an application for a Social Security number and card. Typically, the hospital will ask if you want to apply for a Social Security number for your newborn as part of the birth registration process. This is the easiest and fastest way to apply. The Social Security card typically arrives 7-10 days following the birth. Learn about Social Security numbers for children by reading the publication, Social Security Numbers for Children, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. A child needs a Social Security number if he or she is going to have a bank account, if the child will have medical coverage, or if the child will receive government services. It’s also required if a child is to be claimed on your tax returns. Waiting to Apply If you wait to apply, you will have to visit a Social Security office and you’ll need to: •Complete an application (Form SS-5); •Show original documents proving your child’s U.S. citizenship, age, and identity; and •Show documents proving your identity. Remember, a child who is 12 years or older
Social Security Q and A requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for the interview, even though a parent or guardian will sign the application on the child’s behalf. Social Security is dedicated to helping those children with qualifying disabilities and their families through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSI: •The child must have a physical or mental condition resulting in “marked and severe functional limitations”; •The child’s condition(s) must be severe, last for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death; •If your child’s condition(s) does not result in “marked and severe limitations,” or does not result in those limitations lasting for at least 12 months, your child will not qualify for SSI; and •The child must not be working and earning more than $1,090 a month in 2016. (This amount usually changes every year.) Learn the details about benefits in the publication, Benefits for Children with Disabilities, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs.
If new to slow cooking, please read the manufacturers’ instructions for using and caring for a slow cooker, and following the recipes provided until familiar with the appliance and a standard product. Heat expands, and filling a slow cooker at least half full, but no more than three quarters full, is recommended when cooking with one. For more tips, try these ideas. •Meat and vegetable(s) should be cut similar in size, so that foods will cook evenly. •Recipes typically call for arranging vegetables in the bottom of the cooking pot because vegetables cook more slowly. •Most recipes also call for adding liquid (beef, chicken or vegetable broth, wine or water) for slow, moist cooking; about one inch of liquid (in the bottom of the cooker) is recommended. •Once the cooking process is started, keep lid-lifting to a minimum. Each time a lid is lifted, the temperature in a slow cooker can drop as much as 20-30 degrees and add 20 (or more) minutes to cooking time. •Once familiar with a standard, slow-cooked product, allow four hours on low or two hours on high for each one hour of
The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
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conventional oven cooking time as a general rule in converting traditional family recipes. It is also recommended to test the working condition of a slow cooker. It is not recommend using a slow cooker to reheat cooked leftovers, which are more likely to remain safe and retain flavor and quality if reheated in the oven, in a pan on the range top, or in the microwave. You should test older or bargain-priced slow cookers, especially if using an older cooker (or one that is a hand-me down or has been purchased at a garage sale or thrift shop). Check to see if the cooker is in good working order before first-time use and then annually or if you suspect any problems. To test, the USDA recommends filling the slow cooker one-half to twothirds full with water. Set the temperature on low, and, after 6-8 hours, use a food thermometer to measure temperature, which should read at least 170 degrees. Plan to stay at home during the testing period in the event the slow cooker would fail to perform as expected. Once cooked leftovers are reheated to 140 degrees, they can, however, be held in the slow cooker until served.
by Jason Storm
Lowell Rudolph was visited by LuAnn Buehler, Kathleen Moore, Amanda and Kaelyn Dearden, Caleb Carter, Holden Rowton, Chris Everet, Tom Moore, Jon Buehler, Kaitlin Berland, Ray and Devin, Holly Berland, Steve and Mary Grigg, and Connie Knobbe. Mike Leach and James Still were visited by Jason and Linda Dunagan. Dona Dee Carpenter was visited by Roger and Jackie John and Bill Huseman. Elsie Coleman was visited by Janice Lockman. Harold and Ruth White were visited by Mickey Duff and Leah Jennison. Lorena Turley was visited by Neta Wheeler, Jacque Griffey, Tava See and Rex Turley. Vivian Kreiser was visited by Dennis, Kai, Sage and Lynnlee Wilkerson; and Larry and Sharon Lock.
Yvonne Spangler was visited by Les and Mary Ann Spangler, Brett Spangler, Greg and Yvette Mills, Jillian and Jerica VanCampen, Jordan VanCampen and Adalei Zeller. Clifford Dearden was visited by Kirk and Janet Ottaway, Jessica Hileman; and Jill, MaLaney and Makinley Brantley. Doris Riner was visited by her brother, Merle Wait and Wanda from Protection, Ron and Sue Riner, Larry and Gwen Huck, and Trudy Eikenberry. Doris enjoyed lunch with her family on Saturday. Loretta Gorman was visited by Chuck and Barb Brobst, Charlene Becht, Tava See; and Jeremy, Jen, Sid and Liz Brobst. Jim Jeffery was visited by Mickey Duff, Leah Jennison, Calvin and Jett Humburg, and Brady Jeffery.
Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu Week of January 2-6 Monday: Apple ginger pork loin, braised cabbage, baked sweet potato with cinnamon, whole wheat roll, rosy applesauce. Tuesday: Chili, carrots and zucchini, cinnamon roll, pineapple tidbits. Wednesday: Rotisserie style turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans almondine, whole wheat roll/ bread, glazed strawberries and bananas. Thursday: Potato encrusted fish, au gratin potatoes, green peas, whole wheat roll/bread, pears and apricots. Friday: Baked thyme chicken, cornbread dressing, broccoli and cauliflower, whole wheat roll/bread, peach fruit and yogurt parfait. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501
The Scott County Record • Page 15 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Deaths Bonnie J. Pickett Bonnie J. Pickett, 87, died Dec. 23, 2016, at the Scott County Hospital, Scott City. S h e was born Aug. 13, 1 9 2 9 , in Scott County, the daughter Bonnie Pickett of Albert and Ethyl (Miller) Allen. A lifetime resident of Scott County, she was a homemaker. She was a member of the Prairie View Church of the Brethren, Friend, and HGL Club of Scott City. On Nov. 30, 1947, she married June E. Pickett in Scott City. He died Dec. 10, 2004, in Scott City. Survivors include a son, Larry Pickett, and wife, Philene, Scott City;
a daughter, Gloria Wright and husband, Larry, Scott City; a brother, Edwin Allen, Scott City; four grandsons, seven greatgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, George Allen and Donald Allen; and one sister, Patricia. Funeral service was held at Price and Sons Funeral Home, Scott City, on Dec. 28 with Rev. Jon Tuttle presiding. Interment was in the Scott County Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Prairie View Church of the Brethren in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, 401 South Washington St., Scott City, Ks. 67871.
Beverly D. Goodman Beverly D. Goodman, 68, died Dec. 23, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz. S h e was born on March 10, 1948, in Burlington, Colo. to Raymond Beverly Goodman C. and Earlene F. (McKee) Brenner. She grew up in Idalia, Colo. She and her husband of 50 years, Dennis Goodman, loved to travel. Their favorite destinations included Hawaii, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Singapore, Budapest, Santorini, Prague, Bali, Germany and Italy. She is survived by her husband; two daughters,
Kami Rosin and husband, Bob, Scott City, and Stephenie Lorimer and wife, Erin; two brothers, Darrel Brenner and wife, Rhonda, and Danny Brenner and wife, Dawn Ann; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Bev was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral service will be Fri., Dec. 30, 10:30 a.m., at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Idalia, Colo. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery, Wray, Colo. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home website at schmidt-jonesfh.com.
Gerald Frederick ‘Fred’ Sheaks II Gerald Frederick (Fred) Sheaks II, 55, died Dec. 24, 2016, at the Logan County Hospital, Oakley. He was born Dec. 29, 1960, in Garden City, the son of Gerald and Erma (Scott) Sheaks. He worked as a farm hand. Gerald served in the U.S. Army from 1979-81. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Survivors include his children, Robert Sheaks, Arnell Sheaks, Clyde Sheaks, Luke Sheaks and Elly Sheaks; a sister, Joyce Holzmeister and husband, John; a half-brother, Sam
Sheaks; step-father, Wilfred Jacka; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Shawn Sheaks; and nephew, Zach Riggs. He was cremated. A memorial service was held on Dec. 29 at Sunrise Baptist Church, Oakley. Memorials are suggested to Joyce Holzmeister to be determined by the family at a later date. They may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, Box 204, Oakley, Ks. 67748. Condolences can be sent to the funeral home website at www.baalmannmortuary.com.
Attend the Church of Your Choice
A Time for Everything There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
At this time of the year, we pause to consider the passage of time, not only the previous year, but perhaps what the coming year may bring. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 not to worry about tomorrow for each day has enough trouble of its own. Instead, seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and guess what? Everything else will come together for His glory and what is best for us. Celebrate the new year and give God the Glory!
Pastor Jon Tuttle Prairie View Church of the Brethren, Friend
Scott City Assembly of God
Prairie View Church of the Brethren
1615 South Main - Scott City - 872-2200 Ed Sanderson, Senior Pastor 9:00 a.m. - Pre-Service Prayer 10:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Church Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study and Prayer
4855 Finney-Scott Rd. - Scott City - 276-6481 Pastor Jon Tuttle Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship • Tuesday breakfast at 6:30 a.m. will be held at the church Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m., at the church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
A Catholic Christian Community 1002 S. Main Street - Scott City Fr. Bernard Felix, pastor • 872-7388 Secretary • 872-3644 Masses: 1st Sunday of month - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Other weekends: Sat., 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1:30 p.m.
1102 Court • Box 283 • Scott City 620-872-2294 • 620-872-3796 Pastor Warren Prochnow holycross-scott@sbcglobal.net Sunday School/Bible Class, 9:00 a.m. Worship every Sunday, 10:15 a.m. Wed.: Mid-Week School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Pence Community Church
Community Christian Church
8911 W. Road 270 10 miles north on US83; 2 miles north on K95; 9 miles west on Rd. 270 Don Williams, pastor • 874-2031 Wednesdays: supper (6:30 p.m.) • Kid’s Group and Adult Bible Study (7:00 p.m.) • Youth Group (8:00 p.m.) Sunday School: 9:30 • Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
12th & Jackson • Scott City • 872-3219 Brian Thompson, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday: God’s High School Cru, 7:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church
Immanuel Southern Baptist Church
803 College - Scott City - 872-2339
1398 S. US83 - Scott City - 872-2264
Kyle Evans, Senior Pastor Bob Artz, Associate Pastor
Robert Nuckolls, pastor - 872-5041
Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. • Worship: 11:00 a.m.
Sunday morning worship: 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.
Gospel Fellowship Church
1st United Methodist Church
Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
5th Street and College - Scott City - 872-2401 John Lewis, pastor 1st Sunday: Communion and Fellowship Sunday Services, 9:00 a.m. • Fellowship, 10:15 a.m. • Sun. School, 11:00 a.m. All Other Sundays • Worship: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. • MYF (youth groups) on Wednesdays Jr. High: 6:30 p.m. • Sr. High: 7:00 p.m.
120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Bill Geurin, pastor • 874-8395 Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.
First Christian Church
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
701 Main - Scott City - 872-2937 Scotty Wagner, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:45 a.m. Wednesday is Family Night Meal: 5:45 p.m. • Study: 6:15 p.m. Website: www.fccscottcity.org
Elizabeth/Epperson Drives • Scott City • 872-3666
Scott Mennonite Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
12021 N. Eagle Rd. • Scott City
9th and Crescent - Scott City - 872-2334 James Yager • 620-214-3040 Sacrament, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:50 a.m. Relief Society and Priesthood, 11:20 a.m. YMYW Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.
Franklin Koehn: 872-2048 Charles Nightengale: 872-3056 Sunday School Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist - 11:45 a.m. St. Luke’s - 872-3666 (recorded message) Senior Warden Cody Brittan • (913) 232-6127 or Father Don Martin • (785) 462-3041
Health perceptions not in sync with reality for some Kansans Meg Wingerter Kaiser Health News
A recent report shows that fewer Kansans reported that their physical health was poor for at least two weeks of the past month than residents of Missouri. But, that perception may have more to do with employment, poverty and education than with disease, according to a public health researcher. Kansans have sunny perceptions of their own health despite health outcomes that are only so-so. One of 10 Kansans reported they had “frequent physical distress,” meaning their physical health was poor for
at least two weeks of the past month, according to the recently released America’s Health Rankings Report. Only eight states had fewer residents reporting poor health. While Kansans’ perceptions might make the state appear to be a picture of health, they are about as likely to develop health problems as the rest of the country. The report found Kansas was near the middle on deaths from heart disease and cancer. The state also was close to average when it came to the number of residents with diabetes, which can cause other health prob-
lems such as blindness and kidney failure. Across the border in Missouri, however, residents’ views of their health aligned more closely with their outcomes. The state ranked 41st in the country on residents’ reports of physical distress, cancer deaths and deaths from heart disease, and 39th on the diabetes rate. So are Kansans overly optimistic about their health and Missourians stuck in despair? It isn’t that simple. Poor health means different things to different people, said Shervin Assari, a research investigator in psychiatry (See HEALTH on page 17)
The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Comparing neighbors Overall health ranking Kansas 27th Missouri 37th Poor physical health in the previous month Kansas 9th 10% of adults Missouri 41st 13.9% of adults Cancer deaths per 100,000 people Kansas 28th 192.6 Missouri 41st 209.3 Heart disease deaths per 100,000 people Kansas 29th 249.6 Missouri 41st 283.6 Diabetes rate Kansas 21st Missouri 39th
9.7% of adults 11.5% of adults
Changes underway for state’s sexual predator program More offenders are completing the sexually violent predator treatment program in Kansas, but state officials say they still need a bigger building to house those in treatment. The program, based at Larned State Hospital, attempts to treat offenders who have completed their prison sentences but who were found to have a mental or personality disorder that placed them at a high risk of committing another violent sexual offense. A Legislative Post Audit report found the program could run out of space as early as 2017. As of mid-December, the program had 261 patients. Its capacity, including reintegration facilities at Osawatomie State Hospital and Parsons State Hospital, is 264. Tim Keck, interim secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, told a legislative committee this week that the depart(See CHANGES on page 17)
Obamacare enrollment ahead of last year’s pace Phil Galewitz Kaiser Health News
Despite rising prices, decreased insurer participation and a vigorous political threat to the Affordable Care Act’s survival, consumer enrollment in online health insurance marketplaces for 2017 is outpacing last year’s numbers, according
New ACA Enrollment Kansas 72,992 Iowa 35,931 Missouri 185,413 Nebraska 66,389 Oklahoma 92,179 Texas 775,659 Marketplace enrollmentrelated activity from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19
to new federal data and reports from state officials across the country.
Americans’ anxiety about how a new Republican-controlled Congress and Presidentelect Donald Trump will repeal and replace the health law is helping fuel early enrollment gains in the online marketplaces that sell individual coverage, state officials and health consultants said. Healthcare.gov, the
federal marketplace that handles coverage for 39 states, enrolled 6.4 million people from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19, about 400,000 more than at the same time a year ago. Dec. 19 was the deadline to sign up for coverage starting Jan. 1, but open enrollment will continue until Jan. 31 for 2017 coverage.
Kansas, NC only states to cut public health funding for 3 years Bryan Thompson KHI News Service
A new report from the nonprofit Trust For America’s Health says Kansas meets six of 10 measures related to public health threats. The “Ready or Not” report says Kansas and Nebraska are among 17 states that met six indicators. The District of Columbia also met six of 10. Missouri, Oklahoma and three other states met only five. One of the indicators checks whether states have increased - or at least maintained - their
Nationally, median public health spending in fiscal year 2016 was $37.20 per person. Kansas spent $12.13 per person for public health.
spending on public health. Twenty-six states met that standard from fiscal year 2014–15 to fiscal year 2015–16. Kansas and North Carolina are the only two states that have cut their public health budgets three consecutive years. Nationally, median public health spending in fiscal year 2016 was $37.20 per person. Kansas spent $12.13 per person for public health. Missouri’s public health budget was only $5.88 per person.
Another measure tracks whether at least half of state residents six months and older are vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Kansas fell short, with a 44.4 percent immunization rate, while Missouri fared a little better at 47.4 percent. Only 10 states were at 50 percent or above. Kansas and Missouri both earned low grades for their preparedness for health and safety threats associated with climate change. Kansas received a grade of D+ and
Missouri’s report card was marked F. Both states also lack formalized plans to get health care workers and supplies into restricted areas during a disaster. The report says many states have disjointed policies for permitting private sector personnel and supplies into disaster sites. This can create delays in health care operations, which can cost lives. Only 10 states met the criteria for this measure. Kansas met but Missouri failed one other indicator: activities to pre(See PUBLIC on page 17)
“The marketplace is strong . . . and now we know the doomsday predictions about the marketplace are not coming true,” HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell said in a media briefing. The surge in signups on the federal marketplace mirrors activity on several state-run Obamacare marketplaces.
Minnesota, with more than 54,000 enrollees as of Monday, doubled the number of sign-ups it had at the same time last year. Colorado, Massachusetts and Washington had enrollment growth of at least 13 percent compared to a year ago. “Because of the new administration and the (See PACE on page 17)
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The Scott County Record • Page 17 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Pace high likelihood of changes coming to the ACA, it is creating a sense of urgency” for people to enroll, said Michael Marchand, director of communications for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. Enrollment exceeded 170,000 customers in Washington, up 13 percent compared to same time a year ago. Other state marketplaces saw moderate increases: Connecticut, three percent, and Idaho, four percent. California’s enrollment is about same as a year ago. About 12.7 million people enrolled in the state and federal marketplaces for 2016 coverage at the end of the previous enrollment season. HHS predicted in October that an additional 1.1 mil-
lion people would sign up for 2017 coverage. Burwell said her department is sticking with that projection, even though “the headwinds have increased” since the election. Obamacare, now in its fourth open enrollment season, took some heavy blows this year after several big insurers - including UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Aetna - withdrew from many marketplaces for 2017 because of heavy financial losses. At the same time, remaining insurers increased premiums by 25 percent on average. All of that, plus a changed political climate in Washington, was expected to dampen enrollment. While the presidential election out-
Health and public health at the University of Michigan. In the case of Kansas and Missouri, different perceptions may have more to do with employment, poverty and education than with disease, he said. “These factors are all heavily influencing health,” he said. People who live in or are surrounded by poverty perceive their health as worse than more affluent people, even if they have similar medical conditions, Assari said. People with higher incomes and more education tend not to rate their health as poor until they are seriously ill, he said. That doesn’t mean that
come may have been the primary force for changing those expectations, other factors also have fueled enrollment growth this fall, state officials pointed out. More people who don’t qualify for government subsidies are buying health plans on the marketplace because it’s an easier way to compare available plans in one place. Noting that trend, Premera Blue Cross in Washington recently stopped selling individual coverage off the marketplace. In Colorado, the 18 percent increase in enrollment so far has exceeded officials’ expectations, said Luke Clarke, the spokesman for Connect for Health Colorado, the state marketplace.
He said it was “a healthy surprise,” particularly because premiums increased in the state by about 20 percent on average. Conservatives warn it’s still too early for Obamacare supporters to celebrate. “I suspect that some states saw big increases because local advocacy groups were able to tell their constituents that they should enroll before Trump is sworn in and Republicans take over Congress,” said Joe Antos, a health economist with the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. Antos noted the true enrollment figures will be known once people pay for their coverage and stay enrolled for the full year.
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poor health is all in lowincome people’s heads, however - in the United States, they generally do have more chronic conditions than more affluent people, Assari said. They just may have a lower threshold for determining when those conditions affect their health. Economic factors might explain why Kansans are feeling better. The state’s unemployment rate hovered between four percent and 4.3 percent in 2015, when researchers collected the data on health perceptions. Missouri started 2015 with a 5.4 percent unemployment rate, though it dropped to 4.4 percent
Changes ment is looking into expanding the sexual predator treatment program into the building currently housing the Larned Juvenile Corrections Facility, which is scheduled to close early next year. Some renovations will be necessary, he said, but the department still needs to determine what they are and how much they will cost. Kim Lynch, KDADS senior litigation counsel, said the department is examining options to reduce the program’s population or add more beds. While offenders aren’t supposed to be confined for life, more have died than completed the program. Eight offenders have been released and 28 have died. Mike Dixon, chief forensic psychologist at Larned State Hospital, said they have changed the program to increase the odds offenders will
Public
(continued from page 16)
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complete it. Participation in treatment is up, with 90 percent of offenders in the program expected to take part in January, he said. The changes include reducing the process from seven steps to three tiers, where offenders go through therapy and learn skills to live in society without committing another sexual offense, Dixon said. In the second tier, they can go on supervised outings, and in the third, they move to a reintegration facility and have to get a job, transportation, housing and a therapist in the community before being released, he said. “When they get to tier three, they’re pretty much self-sufficient,” he said. As of mid-December, 18 offenders were on the third tier, Dixon said. Four completed the program this year, bringing the total to eight since the program started in 1994.
during the year. Missourians also were more likely to be poor in 2015, and Kansans were more likely to have completed high school and earned a bachelor’s degree. None of those factors alone has a massive effect on people’s health perceptions, but they seem to build on one another, Assari said. So a person with a high income and a college degree may see his health substantially differently than someone in poverty who never finished high school. Perceptions of health also vary based on age, gender and race. People who are older,
male or white who say they are in poor health are at a high risk of death, he said, because they typically didn’t perceive their health as poor until they were extremely sick. But, people who are younger, female or black or Hispanic tend to rate their health as poor earlier, when they experience conditions that aren’t lifethreatening, like pain or depression, Assari said. A young person with a medical condition might consider it to be a sign of poor health, but an elderly person with the same condition might shrug it off as part of aging, he said. “It’s a comparison of expectations,” he said.
vent health care-associated infections. According to the report, about one out of every 25 hospitalized patients will contract an infection at a health care facility. This measure examines whether state health departments have implemented four key activities to prevent these infections. In all, 26 states and Washington, D.C., scored a six or lower on the 10 indicators. Alaska and Idaho scored lowest with 3-of-10, and Massachusetts scored the highest at 10-of-10. North Carolina and Washington State scored nine. Michelle Ponce, executive director of the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, said she shares concerns in the report about the loss of funding, workforce reductions and restrictions that get in the way of public
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health response in Kansas. Still, she sees a bright side in the state’s public health efforts. “Despite these challenges, it is important to point out that in the report, Kansas received points for exceeding the national average score on the national health security preparedness index and for having at least one accredited local health department,” she said. Ponce added that efforts are underway to establish a baseline set of skills, programs and activities at public health programs throughout the state. “We think it is vital that we evolve our public health system, including the legal and funding frameworks, to strengthen the system in order to respond to emerging public health threats to ensure the health and safety of all Kansans,” she said.
The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Ag producers have sights on better days in ‘17 “It’s been a pretty tough year for the wheat market,” said Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat, which is associated with the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. “We should be celebrating because of the record yields that we reached in Kansas.”
Instead, abundant yields have decreased the price of wheat. Daniel O’Brien, extension agriculture economist at Kansas State University, said the last few years of good crops have created a “buyer’s market,” where buyers are in no hurry to purchase wheat.
Training neglect to law enforcement, in addition to the Department for Children and Families. It removes, however, the option of reporting suspected abuse to the district court. KAC Supports Regs Kansas Action for Children, an advocacy group that often weighs in on child-related legislation, has thrown its sup-
With such a large supply of wheat, O’Brien said Kansas farmers are looking for more export markets in 2017. “To have a major change in the wheat market, we are probably dependent on crop shortfalls in the world,” O’Brien said. At this point, O’Brien said there is not a high
demand for wheat in the world market, but that could change. Even with wheat prices so low, O’Brien expects Kansas farmers to still grow plenty of wheat in 2017, but that wheat production nationally will decrease. The 2017 beef market should start to see some
price stability after the market disintegrated in 2015. Kevin Good, senior market analyst for research firm CattleFax, said beef production should see a 4-5 percent increase in 2017 and about the same percent increase in poultry and pork production. With the increase in production, beef prices
should be low in 2017, but still profitable due to low input costs, Good said. He expects the average break-even amount for beef around $1.40 per pound with a selling price around $1.50 per pound. “A little more price stability, still at some levels that will offer profitability,” Good said.
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port behind the proposed regulations. Amanda Gress, the organization’s government relations director, said continuing education helps reduce the chance of injury to children and corrects safety problems. “The proposed changes will improve the safety of Kansas children in child care and the quality of their early learning experiences,” Gress said.
Though several providers voiced opposition, some providers were supportive of the proposed changes. Amy Gottschamer, director of Googols of Learning in Lawrence, said she supports increasing the number of annual professional development hours. “The argument that more training is costprohibitive, I believe, is a nonissue,” Gottschamer said. “The additional six
hours required of teachers can easily be addressed through one professional development day per year.” No concrete timeline exists for implementation of the regulations. If KDHE makes changes based on comments at the hearing, the alterations must be approved by the Department of Administration and the Attorney General’s office.
Consumers add $22B in debt
U.S. consumers racked up a record-setting $21.9 billion in credit card debt during the third quarter of 2016. Not only was it the largest third-quarter debt increase since 2007 - in advance of the Great Recession - and the sev-
enth largest in the last 30 years, but it also comes on the heels of three equally worrisome financial trends. New consumer debt in the second quarter, at $34.4 billion, was also the largest on record for that quarter.
That came on the heels of the smallest pay-down of first quarter debt ($27.5 billion) since 2008. In addition, consumers added new credit card debt of $71 billion - the most new debt since 2007. It’s estimated that U.S. consumers will end the
Tenore to perform in Garden City on Jan. 12 Tenore, or “The Chosen Three” as they are sometimes called, will perform in Garden City on Thurs., Jan. 12, 7:00 p.m., at the Clifford Hope Auditorium in Horace Good Middle School.
The trio will bring their wit and musical talent as the latest performance through Southwest Kansas Live on Stage. Single tickets are $25; $6 for students. For more information call (620)
275-1667 or visit the association website at www. liveonstagegardencity.org SWK-LOS will also be sponsoring a student outreach program featuring Tenore on January 12 at 10:00 a.m.
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Sports The Scott County Record
champions First-ever state basketball title provided a memorable year for DHS girls • Page 22
www.scottcountyrecord.com
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Section C • Page 19
Quick start, state ranking familiar to SC boys It’s a new coach, but a familiar start for the Scott Community High School boys. Sandwiched between a pair of lopsided wins, the Beavers were put to the test in the Southwest Classic and first year head coach Brian Gentry gave his squad passing marks for their early season performance. “I felt we left the (Wichita) Trinity game on the table and missed an opportunity to be 5-0, but I also knew going into the tournament we’d be playing three very good oppo-
nents,” says Gentry. “There was a chance we’d lose one or two games or maybe even worse.” SCHS survived that stretch with a 4-1 record and saw some different styles of play from each team, which was an added bonus. Gentry saw quickly that junior guard Jordan Horn has the capability of helping the Beavers at both ends of the floor and he has been a nice complement to senior Bo Hess. In addition to averaging 15.8 points per game, Horn has been
the team’s leading shooter from beyond the three-point line (11of-21), leads in steals (13) and is No. 2 in rebounds (19). Hess leads the Beavers in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounds (42) while also contributing 12 assists and 11 steals in the first five games. “So far, it’s been Bo and Jordan who have been very consistent on offense, but that’s not to say we don’t have other boys who can and will contribute more as we get into the season,” Gentry says.
Senior guard Justin Faurot is the team leader in assists (15) and has been a very reliable 19-of-25 when he’s put on the free throw line. Senior guard Drew Duff (6.8 ppg) is always a threat on the perimeter where he has been 8-of-19 from three-point range. “He can give us anywhere from seven to 12 points on any given night. If anyone leaves him open he’ll knock down the outside shot,” says the head coach. And once sophomore guard
looking back at 2016
championship tradition
Scott City’s Jack Thomas glances to his right to see that he finishes just 2/100 of a second ahead of HaysTMP’s Andrew Hess for a gold medal in the 3200m at the Class 3A state track meet. (Record Photo)
Beavers add state track title to championship collection Experiencing the thrill of an individual gold - and the agony of bitter disappointment - the SCHS boys were able to claim a share of the Class 3A state track title with Norton. It continues a championship tradition at SCHS, giving the school it’s 24th sports title overall and eighth in the last nine years. With all the competition squeezed into a single day because of inclement weather on Friday, the Beavers got off to a great start when freshman Jack Thomas won the 3200m gold medal. Running the race of his lifetime, the freshman and Hays-TMP’s Andrew Hess were sprinting shoulder-toshoulder down the home stretch and at the finish line it was Thomas who leaned forward just enough to win the state title in a career best of 10:10.50 just 2/100 of a second ahead of Hess. Senior Cooper Griffith was a silver medalist in the discus with a toss of 151-feet.
top sports stories from area schools in 2016 The Beavers added a silver medal in the 4x800m relay. Relay members were Thomas, Adrian Ruelas, Wyatt Hayes and Jess Drohman. Freshman Marshall Faurot earned a spot on the awards podium in the high jump (6th, 6-foot), 300m IH (6th, 41.65) and 110m high hurdles (8th, 16.25). DHS Girls Win State Title The Dighton High School girls finished off an outstanding 22-3 season with the school’s first-ever state basketball title. They defeated Axtell, 64-56, in the Class 1A-Division II championship game played in Dodge City. Their only three losses against Hoxie by a total of 10 points. They were able to pull away in the second half after Jordan Speer spent
8-1/2 minutes on the bench in the first half with foul trouble. Speer made up for her long absence by scoring eight of her team’s 12 points during a key stretch in the second half that saw Dighton turn a one point deficit into a five point lead. After both teams rode scoring streaks to a 28-28 halftime deadlock, the second half became a game of nerves and a test of who would be the first to crack. There were five lead changes in the first 4-1/2 minutes before junior guard Sara Cramer hit a baseline jumper as part of her game high 25 point performance. That put the Lady Hornets on top, 36-35, with just over three minutes remaining in the third period and they never trailed again. Dighton followed with a defensive stop that marked a momentum shift which saw the Lady Hornets outscoring Axtell 16-7 during a stretch of just over five minutes. (See DIGHTON on page 20)
Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Rankings Class 4A-Division II Boys 1. Wichita Collegiate 2. Holcomb 3. Andale 4. Wichita Trinity 5. Scott City 6. Topeka Hayden 7. Rock Creek 8. La Cygne-Prairie View 9. Burlington 10. Osawatomie
Marshall Faurot can shed the mask he’s been wearing to protect his nose following surgery, (See SC BOYS on page 23)
Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Rankings Class 1A-Division I Girls 1. Centralia 2. Olpe 3. Hanover 4. Dighton 5. Goessel 6. Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton 7. South Central-Coldwater 8. South Barber 9. Norwich 10. Thunder Ridge
Quick start not a big surprise for Lady Hornets There was little doubt that the only two seniors on the Dighton High School squad would have to carry a big burden early in the season. As expected, both have responded for the Lady Hornets while their young and inexperienced lineup continues to improve. Led by Sara Cramer and Jordan Speer, the DHS girls posted a 5-0 record and defeated long-time nemesis Hoxie in the finals of the Castle Rock Classic. They have also solidified their spot as the No. 4 ranked team in Class 1A-Division I. None of that is a major surprise for the defending Class 1A-Division II state champions. Cramer runs the offense as the point guard who is also averaging 17.4 points per game to go along with six assists and 6.4 steals. In the paint, Speer has been dominating with an average of 16.4 points and six rebounds per game. The Lady Hornets were hoping to see 5-foot-10 freshman Ella Roberts make an impact in the low post while taking some of (See HORNETS on page 23)
Beavers travel to SWH Tues. High school basketball action will resume on Tues., Jan. 2, when Scott City travels to Southwestern Heights for a non-league contest. The junior varsity games begin at 4:45 p.m. with the boys in the high school gym and the girls in the junior high gym. The varsity girls tipoff at 6:30 p.m.
Kids wrestling tourney is Sat. Scott City will be host to several hundred young wrestlers from across Western Kansas during the Takedown Kids Wrestling Club Invitational on Sat., Dec. 31. Action will be held in the Scott Community High School gym starting at 9:00 a.m.
The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
It’s a very rough existence for mangy critters We might tend to forget about upland bird hunting once deer season has come and gone and the weather gets cold and snowy, but some of the best pheasant and quail hunting of the season can still be had now. For starters, you may just have the fields to yourselves as the crowds of hunters will generally be gone after the second weekend of the season, leaving only dedicated bird hunters afield. This can prove especially
Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland
beneficial on public and walk-in-hunting land that is sometimes covered with hunters at the beginning of season. It seems like it’s also easier to get permission to hunt private land this time of the year as landowners also know any hunters out now will probably be serious hunters and more
dependable. Landowners may also be more apt to grant hunting permission this time of the year because hunting parties will most likely number only two or three and not a dozen guys piling out of pickups. Cold snowy weather often causes birds to holeup in thick cover, making them a challenge to flush without a dog, but making their whereabouts fairly predictable. Cool temps and the moisture from a little snow also helps
Dighton (continued from page 19)
It’s no surprise that the junior tandem of Cramer and Speer accounted for 22 of Dighton’s first 24 points of the second half. Neither was it a surprise that Axtell had no answer for stopping Speer. She finished with 18 points (5-of-7 FG) and six rebounds. Turner is Named SCHS Football Coach A familiar face on the Scott Community High School sideline for the past 20 years earned a new job title when Jim Turner was hired as the new head coach after being a longtime defensive coordinator for the football team. Turner took over for Glenn O’Neil who resigned as the winningest coach in SCHS history (97-14). Turner has been on the SCHS staff since arriving in the district in 1995. Turner had been the defensive coordinator since 2007 when O’Neil became the head coach. During that time, the Beavers appeared in the post-season nine consecutive times, including a Class 3A state title in 2012 and a state runner-up finish in 2014. While excited about the opportunity, Turner was reluctant to call this a “dream job.” “I think it’s a pressure job,” he noted. “This is a pretty darn good place to coach football. A strong tradition has been established here and we definitely want to carry on what’s already
Baker is all smiles as his team nails down a win over Arizona in the NCAA Tournament.
taken place.”
Gentry’s patience has been rewarded by landing one of the top coaching jobs in the state. “When I came here (in 2006) my mindset coming out of college was to become a head coach anywhere. I felt it was something I could step into easily,” recalls the 33-year-old. “I think I could have done it then, but not nearly as well as I feel I’m capable of doing now. That’s a result of coaching with Glenn.”
Gentry Takes Over Hoops USD 466 didn’t have to look far when deciding who would replace Glenn O’Neil as the next boy’s basketball coach. They looked one seat to his right along the bench and named Brian Gentry the successor. A few years ago, Gentry was offered the job as head coach for girl’s basketball, but said at the time he wanted to remain O’Neil’s assistant. (See FOOTBALL on page 22)
dog’s noses find more birds. The pheasants and quail found this time of year will be more skittish though, so more stealth and strategy will be needed in pursuing them. After all, they didn’t survive until now by being stupid or impulsive. Ice fishing also heats up this time of year, especially with the recent extreme cold snap resulting in good ice. I have not ice fished for a few years now and feel like
I’m kinda’ out of the loop concerning what baits work well, so my advice to you is to find a friend who’s an avid ice fisherman and ask them to take you along. They will be more likely to offer advice when you actually accompany them onto the ice than if you just pump them for information. What I can tell you about ice fishing is to be absolutely certain the ice is thick enough and solid enough before you venture out,(possibly
even consider wearing a life jacket) and that fish caught from the cold water beneath the ice are the best tasting fish on earth. By the time you read this, Christmas 2016 will be in the history books and New Years will be knocking at the door. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but this coming year, why not resolve to spend more time with nature and take a kid along as you Explore Kansas Outdoors!
The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Football (continued from page 20)
DHS in State Runner-up Too many turnovers and too many missed opportunities. When you’re playing the top-ranked team in state you can’t afford either. Dighton (12-1) committed far too many of both in their first-ever state title appearance, losing to Hanover, 68-22, in the Eight Man-Division II championship. “It was going to take a near perfect game on our part in order to keep pace with their offense,” noted Dighton head coach Ken Simon. And it was going to take a similar effort by the DHS offense against a Hanover (120) defense that had allowed just 50 points through their first 11 games. The Hornets had no answer for the Wildcats’ defense, comDighton High School head coach Amy Felker and her team celebrate as the final second ticks off the clock in their 64-56 mitting seven turnovers - six Class 1A-Division II state championship win over Axtell. (Record Photo) interceptions and a fumble. Five of the seven turnovers led ter than us,” said Lippelmann, to touchdowns. referring to his three bronze medalists. “Does that mean 3 Grapplers Earn Bronze Scott City entered the Class there was more than one kid 3-2-1A state tournament with on the front side who was better than us? It’s possible, but I high expectations. Not only were they looking don’t believe so. to claim a couple of individual titles, but they also had their sights set on contending for a team crown. Those hopes quickly faded on the opening day of tournament action in Hays when Scott City’s top three prospects for gold medals were each eliminated in the quarter-finals. “We went from thinking we could maybe win the whole thing to just trying to prove that we belonged here,” said head coach Jon Lippelmann following Friday’s action. The Beavers made their long climb through the consolation bracket on the second day of competition, moving up 17 spots and landing in fifth place - missing a third place team plaque by only five points. Stringing together four consecutive wins and claiming third place finishes were seniors Zach Tucker (113) and Cooper Griffith (195) along with sophomore Jarret Jurgens (145). Adding a sixth place medal was freshman Theron Tucker (106). “We saw there was no one on the backside who was bet-
Baker Into the NBA Former SCHS standout Ron Baker ended his basketball career at Wichita State University with another trip to the NCAA Tournament before they were eliminated by the University of Miami. During his outstanding college career, Baker and the Shockers advanced to the Final Four in 2013. In 201314, the Shockers became the first Division I team to finish the regular season 31-0 and stretched the streak to 35 games before losing to Kentucky. Baker finished his career as the school’s No. 8 scorer of all time (1,635 points) and ninth in total assists (345). Reflecting on his four years at WSU, Baker is still amazed at the career he’s enjoyed and the impact of Shocker basketball across the nation. “It’s pretty stunning,” admits Baker, who was a senior on the Beavers state championship team in 2011. “I just happened to be the kid who was on CBS for four weeks,” he says, referring to (See BAKER on page 24)
Scott City 195-pounder Cooper Griffith during the Class 3-2-1A state tournament. He was one of three Beavers to earn third place medals at state. (Record Photo)
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The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Loss of Azubuike a major blow for KU KU’s basketball team lost more than their freshman center Udoka Azubuike (7-0, 280) when he tore ligaments in his wrist. The Jayhawks lost a chance to be a great team instead of a good team. Azubuike is out for the rest of the by season. Mac There’s a reason Landen Lucas Stevenson looks so ineffective on offense compared to last season. Perry Ellis is gone and so are the double teams by opposing defenses that Ellis’ offense necessitated. Opposing centers can focus their defensive attention on Lucas, which makes him a non-factor on offense. Kansas is favored to win the Big 12 again, but the Jayhawks - rated third in the AP poll - are overrated nationally. KU is going to be challenged when they run into teams like Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisville, Duke, UCLA and Indiana. Those teams have skilled and powerful inside players that will dominate KU in the pivot. And you might add Baylor to that list. If Cheick Diallo had been allowed to play meaningful minutes last season - as he should have - Diallo might have returned to KU for a second season. If Coach Self had Diallo with this group of perimeter players, the Jayhawks would be the best team in the nation. However, that’s all conjecture. If Diallo had played more, he still might have left for the NBA. Azubuike’s injury is damaging indeed. According to Self, the youngster was coming on fast and he might have propelled KU in the post-season. Self has had bad luck with injuries in recent NCAA Tournaments. Two prominent examples are Joel Embiid, missing his tournament, and Perry Ellis being hampered while playing in another with an injured knee. Kansas (11-1) opens Big 12 play on Friday at TCU (11-1). That’s going to be a rugged opener. TCU hasn’t beaten a quality team, but that doesn’t mean the Horned Frogs and their fans won’t be sky-high against the Jayhawks. If there’s a positive for KU, the TCU students will be on semester break. No More Powder Puffs Kansas State (11-1) completed the pre-Big 12 part of its schedule with the only loss coming against Maryland (69-68) on a neutral court. Except for Maryland, K-State’s schedule has been loaded with teams that aren’t up to Big 12 standards. Everything changes when K-State begins Big 12 play versus Texas on Dec. 30. The Longhorns are playing mainly freshmen and sophomores and they didn’t get off to a stellar start. Texas (6-5) has a mediocre record going into conference play against K-State, but don’t be fooled. Texas has talent. And the Longhorns have been making progress while playing a formidable schedule. In K-State’s last game against Gardner-Webb, Coach Bruce Weber went through a heart-stopping moment in the second half when point guard Kamau Stokes went to the bench with an apparent injury to his surgically repaired right knee. “He was limping off the court and I was thinking, ‘No way, this can’t be again,’” said Weber afterwards. “But he really responded . . . I think he was just a little scared. He tweaked it a bit.” Stokes is filling a vital role for K-State. His play at point guard has been exceptional and getting better all the time. In addition to Stokes’ play, D.J. Johnson has been superb in the pivot. Sophomore Dean Wade has been a disappointment so far. He was better as a freshman than he’s been this season, but that can change. It’s an important game for both teams, but it’s crucial for K-State. The Wildcats cannot afford to lose their Big 12 opener at home. ESPN Scheduling If you’re a fan of one of the basketball teams being televised by the Extra Stupid Planning Network (ESPN), don’t count on seeing an entire game. Kansas played Davidson on December 17 and Jayhawk fans missed about 12 minutes because of overtime in the preceding game. What’s disconcerting is that this is the rule rather than the exception. ESPN schedules games so closely together that there’s overlap with earlier games and small chance that your team’s start is going to be televised. It’s nonsense. All ESPN has to do is leave 15 or 20 minutes of down time between games and the problem’s solved. But, they seem to have no interest in doing what makes sense.
SCHS Boys • 2016-17 Season Stats thru 5 Games Player PPG FGM FGA FG% 3 Pt. FGM FGA Jordan Horn 15.8 28 44 64 Justin Faurot 5.6 4 9 44 Bo Hess 16.4 33 58 57 Kyle Cure 1.6 4 11 36 Drew Duff 6.8 11 27 41 Jess Drohman 1.8 2 7 29 Marshall Faurot 6.6 9 26 35
SC Boys it will help his outside jumper. He’s averaging 6.6 ppg, but has struggled from the field hitting just 9-of-26. The Beavers have been a dangerous team to put on the free throw line where they’ve been 68-of91 (75 percent), led by Horn (12-of-14) and M. Faurot (13-of-16). Duff and Jess Drohman have been limited to just four free throws each, hitting all of them. Scott City’s accuracy at the line - especially in the
Hornets the defensive pressure away from Speer. She has delivered with a solid 9.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. However, Roberts has also run into some foul trouble which has limited her court time. “She’s making freshman mistakes. She has to make adjustments and not make the senseless fouls that come from frustration or that aren’t going to have an impact on a play,” says head coach Amy Felker. “If she’s not on the floor, and if Jordan’s in foul trouble, we’re not a very big team,” noted Felker. Those three are averaging a total of 43.4 points per game - accounting for 82 percent of the offense. Felker is looking for a little more offensive balance following the holiday break as her freshmen and sophomores gain confidence. Sophomore guard
FIshing Report Scott State Lake Updated December 26 Channel cats: fair; most in the 13 to 18 inch range. No recent reports Crappie: fair to good; up to 13 inches. Vertically fishing jigs around the fish attractors. Largemouth bass: fair to good; up to 5.5 lbs. Vertically fishing jigs around the fish attractors. Sunfish: fair to good; up to 8 inches. Vertically fishing jigs around the fish attractors. Saugeye/walleye: fair to good; up to 7 lbs. No recent reports. Rainbow trout: excellent; 1/2 lb. average. We stocked approximately 1,240 trout in Barrel Springs Pond on Nov. 28. A valid trout permit must be possessed by anglers 16 years and older to fish for and harvest trout. Anglers are catching limits using powerbait and corn. Worms, marshmallows, and artificial lures such as in-line spinners can be effective.
FTM
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Asst
St
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11 21 12 14 19 11 13 2 1 3 19 25 8 15 4 0 0 2 16 24 42 12 11 7 0 1 0 4 6 5 4 0 8 19 4 4 12 12 2 2 1 3 4 4 3 10 7 0 2 11 13 16 14 7 3 2
(continued from page 19)
clutch - played a big part will continue building on in their tournament wins that following the break. He’s also looking for over Palmer Ridge and center Joe Evans (6-3, Purcell (Okla.). soph.) to get more varsity playing time. Offense in the Post “He’s a sophomore Scott City is hoping to with a tremendous upside see more offense in the as he gets more playing post following the break, time,” Gentry says. “But, led by senior center Kyle he has to become more Cure. physical in the post, which Cure is averaging only is something he’ll learn. 1.6 ppg, but he was more He’s definitely a player aggressive in making post who can knock down the moves to the basket in the 10 or 15 foot shot and last game against Colby. even stretch it out to the Gentry feels that Cure three-point line.”
(continued from page 19)
Emily Sheppard lead the next group of varsity players with 3.2 ppg, in addition to 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Junior Mallory Dowell is averaging 2.5 ppg and sophomore Kenadee O’Brien averages 2.4 ppg and two rebounds. “It all comes down to lack of experience. As they gain confidence and are willing to expand their game we’ll see improvement,” Felker adds. “It takes time, but we’ll get there. And they’re fortunate to have a couple of great leaders like Jordan and Sara.”
Gentry says it will be important for the Beavers to build on their early momentum with a difficult stretch of games when they return to action in January. They will travel to Southwestern Heights for a non-league game against a team that nearly upset them on the home floor last season. That will be followed by consecutive league games against Ulysses and state-ranked opponents Holcomb and Hugoton.
The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Scott City senior Dylan Hutchins and the coaching staff discuss what needs to be done defensively during first round state tournament action in Hutchinson. It was the final game for head coach Glenn O’Neil (second from left) after a 20 year career at SCHS. (Record Photo)
Baker (continued from page 22)
WSU’s NCAA Tournament run in 2013. Baker was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Knicks and is splitting time between the NBA team and their developmental league affiliate. One More Trip for O’Neil Berths in the state basketball tournament had come to be the norm for head coach Glenn O’Neil. During his 20-year head coaching career, the SCHS boys appeared in 12 state tournaments, advanced to seven championship games and won five state titles. The Beavers were 370-112 during that stretch, a .767 winning percentage. Even with just one returning starter from the 2015 state championship team, the Beavers were able to advance to the Class 3A state tournament one more time in O’Neil’s final season at Scott City. The Beavers earned their sixth straight trip to state with a thrilling 59-57 win over Sterling in the sub-state finals. The O’Neil era at SCHS didn’t end with another Class 3A title, but with a heartbreaking 43-40 overtime loss to No. 2 seeded Sabetha in the opening round of state tournament action. It was a game in which the Beavers were a frigid 2-of-11 from three-point range in regulation. They were outrebounded 29-19. And yet they came agonizingly close to pulling off the first round upset when a
SCHS athletes and coaches claiming a co-championship in Class 3A were (front row, from left) head coach Jim Turner, Jarrett Jurgens, Jess Drohman, Wyatt Hayes, Marshall Faurot and Connor LeBeau. (Back row) assistant coach Kevin Reese, Jack Thomas, Nick Nowak, Cooper Griffith, Wyatt Kropp, Drake McRae, Adrian Ruelas, assistant coach Aaron Dirks and assistant coach Jenny Rose. (Record Photo)
Scott City’s Amanda Kough glances over at one of the judges to see if she was being credited with a good lift during the squat competition at the Class 3A State Powerlifting Championships. (Record Photo)
60-foot shot by guard Bo Hess bounced off the front of the rim just ahead of the fourth quarter buzzer. Another two inches and Scott City (18-6) would have kept their title hopes alive for the weekend. As it turned out, that was Scott City’s last and best chance at a win.
which topped the old record by five pounds. She added a silver medal in the squat and bench press. Olivia Prieto (105 lbs.) and Tyler Vondracek (132 lbs.) each captured second place honors and Cami Patton (123 lbs.) was a third place finisher. As a team, the Lady Beavers captured third place honors.
Kough is Powerlifting Champ With a record-setting day, Scott Community High School senior Amanda Kough was the 148-pound state champion in the Class 3A Kansas Powerlifting Championships. She set a new state record of 565 pounds in her three lifts
Tennis Doubles Third At the start of the school year, Dylan Hutchins turned in an English essay about life’s lessons as it relates to his involvement in high school sports and goals he had for his senior year. In that essay, the Scott Community High School senior
envisioned “how awesome it would be to finish third at state.” The season unfolded exactly as Hutchins envisioned as he and playing partner Bo Hess captured third place honors at the 3-2-1A state tournament held last Friday and Saturday at the Riverside Tennis Complex in Wichita. Given Hutchins’ ability to anticipate the future, neither was it a surprise that the only thing standing between the Scott City team and a state title was a semi-final matchup against the top team on the bracket - Hesston seniors Grant Dahlsten and Garrett Roth. The two teams had seen each other in last year’s tournament with the Beavers dropping a tough
set to the eventual champions. “When we saw the bracket we knew we were good enough to make it to the semis, but we’d have to play our best to get past the Hesston team,” says Hess, a junior. “Hesston was as good as we expected.” SCHS rolled into the semis with straight set wins over teams from Sterling (6-3, 6-0) and Conway Springs (6-4, 6-2) which set up the anticipated showdown with Dahlsten/ Roth. The Scott City pair won the first game, but dropped the next three and never recovered in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to the Hesston team which would easily win their championship match over Claflin (6-1, 6-3).
Record Xtra Harvest 145 (bushels),” Ehmke said. The field ultimately averaged 85 bushels. Ehmke still wonders what might have been with a little better growing conditions. “We only had 30 percent of normal precip in May and that definitely took the peak off this crop,” he said. “Thankfully, we had a cold and wet April. That was the key.” The result was mountains of grain being stored on the ground or in temporary storage bunkers across the region. Country elevators were already faced with limited storage capacity due to a huge fall harvest in 2015. That’s been combined with low grain prices which have given producers little incentive to sell the grain so it can be moved to regional terminals. The problem itself isn’t unique for most elevator managers. The magnitude of the problem was due to a wheat harvest that saw record-setting yields and production. The Scott Co-op, with eight elevators located across Scott and Wichita counties, took in more than 12 million bushels of wheat this year - nearly double what would be arriving at its elevators in a typical year. Until this summer, the largest number of bushels taken by the elevator in a single year had been about 7.5 million, according to Co-op general manager Jason Baker. Terminal storage sites provided a huge relief for country elevators in the region, allowing them to make preparations for huge fall crops. “Exporters came to the table in a big way,” said Baker, who noted that the Co-op had shipped more than seven million bushels of grain by truck and rail at the end of September. “The exporters were able to put together endusers who wanted (the grain) overseas,” Baker says. “They increased their storage capacity by working overtime and getting more trains through. We’ve seen more trains than we’ve ever had before. “Without their help, it could have been pretty ugly this fall.” He said elevators were
The Scott County Record Page 25 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
(continued from page one)
about 80 percent empty in preparation for a huge fall harvest. Heberlee Found Guilty The attempt to cover up the death of a young woman from a drug overdose, and who was responsible for her death, were at the heart of a weeklong jury trial in the Scott County District Court in September. Rick Heberlee, Scott City, was on trial in the first test of a state law that could find an individual guilty of murder if they are determined to be responsible for a drug overdose. Sherree Smith, 20, died of a methamphetamine overdose on Jan. 17, 2014. Heberlee was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and interference with law enforcement. The jury found Heberlee not guilty of distribution of a controlled substance causing the death of 20-year-old Sherree Smith. Heberlee was sentenced to 38 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections - 30 months for the distribution of meth and eight months for interference with law enforcement in the investigation of Smith’s death. Heberlee, 32, avoided conviction on the most serious count, which was a Level 1 felony. While several witnesses confirmed that they had smoked meth on numerous occasions, and that it was available when Smith was traveling with Heberlee and when she was at his house, the evidence wasn’t strong enough to link Heberlee with Smith’s death. The distribution of meth never seemed to be in question. Neither was interference with a law enforcement officer. Heberlee and Kevin LaPlant, who appeared on the witness stand but wasn’t facing any charges, were responsible for taking Smith to a friend’s house the morning of January 17, 2014, and from there Smith was transported to the Scott County Hospital where she died shortly afterwards. A story was fabricated about Smith being found at a former motel known as the Cowboy Cabins located on east K96 Highway. LaPlant then admitted on
Pilot Kyle Spencer with one of the six planes that are now grounded with suspension of the weather modification program.
the witness stand that he and Heberlee removed Smith’s personal belongings from Heberlee’s home and stashed them in a storage shed outside town. LaPlant had limited immunity from prosecution for his testimony. State Budget Crisis The continuing budget crisis at the state level has had an expected ripple effect throughout the state. In addition to school districts which have had to adjust to limits on state funding, mental health services, early childhood programs and nursing homes have felt the impact of budget cuts. The state has continued to slash Medicaid reimbursement rates which impacts mental health services and nursing homes. With an annual budget of about $13.7 million, about 63 percent of the revenue for Compass Behavioral Health is Medicaid based. At a minimum, the lost revenue amounts to about $300,000, but that could climb to as much as $900,000, depending on whether the funding cut proposed by the state also includes the federal government’s share. “We’ve asked legislators what this means in
terms of overall Medicaid reimbursement and they haven’t been very clear,” said Compass regional director Kent Hill. “I’m not sure they really thought this through. If the federal match isn’t part of the four percent (cut) then that would push our total loss of funding to about $900,000.” This is money that funds services and salaries for Compass in its 13-county area. About 50 percent of the residents at Park Lane Nursing Home are on Medicaid, so any reduction in reimbursement rates raises concerns. (See CRISIS on page 32)
Rick Heberlee gives testimony in his defense during a trial held in September. (Record Photo)
Tracy Streeter, director of the Kansas Water Office, discusses irrigation depletion patterns in Groundwater Management District No. 1. The declining aquifer continues to be a hot topic in the region and is responsible for the formation of a Water Conservation Area in Wichita County.
Other top events that occurred during 2016 January: •Following a recordsetting year for ambulance runs by the Scott County Hospital, it was announced that Midwest Transport would be locating an ambulance and staff in the city to assist with local and regional ambulance transfers. •Rhett Ashley Collins, daughter of David and Jennifer Collins, Winona, was the first baby of the new year born at the Scott County Hospital.
•William Cupp was cycling Center reopened the Scott County spelling following a transition champion. from the Northwest Kansas Recycling OrganizaFebruary: tion into a new agreement •Scott County Hospital with Stutzman Refuse CEO Mark Burnett an- Disposal. nounced that Brett Hof•Genelle Krehbiel refecker had entered into tired after 34 years as ofan agreement to join the ficer manager with Scott physician staff full-time County Extension. in September 2017. •County commissioners refinanced bonds at a March: savings of $1.8 million for •GWMD annual meet- county taxpayers. ing (3-10-16). •The Scott County Re- April:
•The Beaver Broadcasting Network at Scott Community High School earned three championship awards in the state broadcasting competition. •Tax abatements to oil companies cost Scott County $185,317 in tax collections. That was up from $169,838 the previous year.
that includes a fellowship hall, more classroom space, larger kitchen and basement. •After their original building was destroyed by arson on Sept. 27, 2015, Wendy’s reopened in a state-of-the-art building on the same location.
evaluating potential upgrades to its facilities with an initial price tag of more than $12 million. •KDOT was under fire for the way it altered the south entrance to Scott City on US83 Highway, creating confusion and accidents which were attributed to the new lane markJune: ings. While those changes •Phil Gould began duare still under review by ties as a ranger at Lake May: KDOT, the agency did •The Pence Commu- Scott State Park. nity Church broke ground •USD 466 (Scott Coun- back away from plans to (See EVENTS on page 32) on a 60x120 foot addition ty) is in the process of
The Scott County Record
ag briefs
Calving school at Garden City on January 5 The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Extension will sponsor two area calving schools. Both will be held on Thurs., Jan. 5. The first will be at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Syracuse, at 11:30 a.m. RSVP to Jenifer Sexson, Hamilton County Extension (620-384-5225). Meeting includes information on winter cow herd nutrition and management. An evening meeting will be held at the Finney County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, Garden City; RSVP to Katelyn Barthol (620-272-3670). A.J. Tarpoff, K-State Extension beef veterinarian, said the goals are to increase knowledge and practical skills, and to increase calf survival if assistance is needed during calving. Conference speakers will share tips on when and how to intervene to assist the cow and how those times may be different when dealing with young heifers. Presenters will also demonstrate the proper use of calving equipment on a lifesize scale. “This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and review the calving process,” Tarpoff added.
U.S. sorghum exports strong
Sorghum exports are coming off another strong week with China, Japan and Mexico purchasing 3.5 million bushels. These sales bring total export commitments for the year to 118 million bushels or 47 percent of the USDA’s projected total for the year with 36 weeks remaining. Shipments were also very strong with China, Japan and Mexico taking delivery of 10.4 million bushels. Gulf exports bids were higher on this demand, with export bids for sorghum delivered in Texas in January or February of 104 percent of corn and export bids for sorghum delivered in New Orleans in January or February of 108 percent of corn.
Farm
Page 26 - Thursday, December 29, 2016
Gilpin shares wheat data in SE Asia Wheat buyers, millers and processors in South Asia have a better understanding of the quality of this year’s hard red winter wheat crop, thanks to U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) annual Crop Quality Seminars. Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin presented U.S. hard red winter wheat quality information at the seminars that were held from November 9-22, in Manila, Philippines; Cebu, Philippines; Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. “Each of the customers are users of hard red winter
Wheat Scoop Hannah Schlapp Kansas Wheat Communications Intern
wheat, and they each have different priorities. By covering all of the characteristics of hard red winter wheat I was trying to touch on the needs of all the customers,” Gilpin said. Each year, after thousands of wheat crop samples are analyzed and the results are published in the USW Crop Quality Report, U.S. Wheat Associates invites its overseas customers to seminars led by USW staff, growers, state wheat commis-
sion staff and partner organizations. These seminars dive into grade factors, protein levels, flour extraction rates, dough stability, baking loaf volume, noodle color and texture and more for all six U.S. wheat classes, and are tailored to focus on the needs and trends in each regional market. In 2016, USW hosted 40 seminars in 23 countries. During the seminars, Gilpin noted that HRW had record yields across the board this year. The results of such high yields had a lot to do with ideal weather conditions. During the growing season, the crop had
plentiful rainfall and temperatures which helped for an ideal filling period. With the temperatures being as mild as they were, the crop was not as affected by heat, drought, or disease stress, all of which play a major role in the quality of the wheat crop. Improved genetics also played a major role in higher yield results. Gilpin talked about the lower protein that HRW wheat has this year, but that it is a good overall quality crop. One of the best advantages about HRW wheat is its constant demand. “Hard red (See GILPIN on page 27)
Lack of biodiversity contributing to species extinctions, habitat loss Tom Parker Kansas Rural Center
Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, noted entomologist, agroecologist and former USDA whistleblower on neonicotinoids - the family of pesticides suspected of harming pollinators and other wildlife - minced no words when he presented his keynote presentation at the opening of the Kansas Rural Center’s annual Farm and Food Conference, held in Manhattan. “Biodiversity is in decline,” he said. “We are currently experiencing one of the biggest mass extinctions the planet has experienced. “We are losing not just species, but entire habitats. We’re
Currently, 25 percent of North American bee species are at risk of extinction, and in Kansas four out of 11 bee species are at risk, said Jennifer Hopwood, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, who also gave a presentation at the KRC conference. Another 17 percent of butterflies are at risk, including the Monarch, whose population has declined annually for the past 22 years.
losing entire insect communities. We’re losing butterflies, we’re losing bats, we’re losing birds, we’re losing bees, we’re losing terrestrial mammals. This is worse than the dinosaurs, folks.” As if that weren’t enough, those extinctions were caused by humans and the potential outcome, if left unchecked, promises to be catastrophic. “No bees, no plants, no food, no people,” he said. “It’s that simple.”
Lundgren, who has published nearly 100 scientific papers on pollinators and insects, worked at the USDA for 11 years before leaving to start Blue Dasher Farm, a research and demonstration farm in South Dakota. The farm’s mission is to grow nutritious food profitably while conserving both the soil and biodiversity - a mission that only partially succeeded this year. “We didn’t make our goal, but we learned more this year
Wheat could feel impact of deep freeze Roughly 20 percent of the Hard Red Winter wheat crop across the Plains states was vulnerable to damage during the recent severe cold spell. During the worst of the freeze, temperatures dropped to minus-20 degrees and, in some places, slightly colder. “Probably at least 20 percent of the wheat is at risk. It’s mainly southern Nebraska, and northern and western Kansas that are my concern areas,” says David Streit, a meteorologist with the Commodity Weather Group. “Those areas had very little in the way of snow cover.”
Wheat is typically at its hardiest during the winter months, but plants can be damaged if temperatures dip below minus five degrees for several hours. The extent of any damage is difficult to assess until springtime. Soil can protect the plants, but the cold tends to penetrate dry soils more easily. The latest weekly U.S. Drought Monitor report showed moderate drought across the western third of Kansas. “We are probably going to be free of winterkill threats for at least a couple weeks,” Streit said.
check us out at scottcountyrecord.com
Seeking Cash Lease Bids The Scott County Commissioners are accepting sealed bids for cash lease of the farm ground held in the Zella Carpenter Trust. All sealed bids must be presented to the Scott County Clerk, 303 Court Street, Scott City, Ks., before noon on Tues., Jan., 17, 2017. Information regarding conditions of the lease and the farm ground held in the trust can be obtained at the county clerk’s office at the address above. Scott County Commissioners reserve the right to accept or reject all bids.
JONES CLUB LAMBS Call for an Appointment Today! Jeremy • 620-397-1638 Stefanie • 620-397-8075 Champions! County Fair bustn2kick@st-tel.net
about beekeeping and farming than I have in my 20 years as a scientist,” he said. One of the lessons he learned was that there is a disconnect between scientists and farmers that needs to be adjusted. “Scientists can tell you everything that you should be doing on your farm,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, until we have walked a mile in your shoes, a level of credibility needs to be accompanying that scientific advice. We need to pair the science with actual practice. The data doesn’t change behavior. This is a sociological issue as much as a scientific issue.” A critical lesson he learned was to ask questions, he said. (See HABITAT on page 27)
Weather
Market Report Closing prices on December 28, 2016 Bartlett Grain Red Wheat............ $ 2.80 White Wheat ....... $ 2.79 Milo .................... $ 2.43 Corn ................... $ 2.95 Soybeans (new crop) $ 9.02 Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 2.84 White Wheat ....... $ 2.84 Milo (bu.)............. $ 2.50 Corn.................... $ 3.02 Soybeans ........... $ 9.10 Sunflowers.......... $ ADM Grain Wheat.................. Milo (bu.)............. Corn.................... Soybeans............ Sunflowers..........
$ 2.84 $ 2.53 $ 3.02 $ 9.00 $ 12.50
H
L
P
Dec. 20
52 10
Dec. 21
50 22
Dec. 22
38 22
Dec. 23
55 21
Dec. 24
55 11
Dec. 25
58 21 .28
Dec. 26
42 14
Moisture Totals December 0.40 2016 Total
19.50
Food Facts The peach is a member of the rose family and will have a sweet fragrance when ripe.
The Scott County Record • Page 27 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Declining land values colliding with tighter credit
According to a recent study of lenders, financial stress on farmers is expected to continue for some time. “Our research indicates a continued deterioration in agricultural credit conditions,” said Allen Featherstone, head of the Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics. The 2016 Fall Agricultural Lender Survey by the Kansas State
Habitat Question the science, question the motive, question the procedure, and above all, question what will be left behind for future generations. “The planet is facing serious challenges right now,” Lundgren said. “The status quo is no longer good enough.” Worldwide, pollinators and other beneficial insects are losing ground. Currently, 25 percent of North American bee species are at risk of extinction, and in Kansas four out of 11 bee species are at risk, said Jennifer Hopwood, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, who also gave a presentation at the KRC conference. Another 17 percent of butterflies are at risk, including the Monarch, whose population has declined annually for the past 22 years. In spite of this, everywhere Lundgren goes people tell him that the only good bug is a dead bug. “That kind of thinking,” he said, “is what happens when we put our blinders on.” Insects are worth $63 billion to the economy, he said. They form the basis of complex food webs, support wildlife, regulate herbivores, and shape the dispersion and density of plant communities. Insects are nature’s pesticides and herbicides. He says that for every insect pest, there are 1,700 beneficial insects, many of which prey on the pest. Bee Population Collapse Insects are also critical to soil health. Not only do they interact with every type of biological community, they directly affect the physical and chemical properties of soil. In fact, that interaction with soil
Gilpin winter wheat is viewed as a traditional wheat around the world. Hard red winter wheat sets the standards that buyers gauge for quality in competitors like Australia and other countries. It’s important because bread and noodle products are in high demand, and it’s a growing demand,” Gilpin said. He emphasized the blending opportunities that HRW wheat offers.
University Department of Agricultural Economics and the University of Georgia studies the expectations of lenders in regard to interest rates, spread over cost of funds, farm-loan volume, nonperforming loans and land values as indicators of the overall health of the farm finance sector. According to the twicea-year study, more than 50 percent of land values are decreasing within the
areas covered by participating lenders. These values are set to continue to decrease over the shortand long term and are affecting credit limits for landowners and producers. Non-performing loans are also on the rise for all loan types, and expectations show the number of these loans will continue to increase in this stressed financial market. The survey indicates
the decreased liquidity in production operations has increased demand for farm loans and, in particular, operating loans in attempts to bridge the gap of the current fiscal downturn. Making matters worse, interest rates on those loans are expected to increase and continue to rise over time. These problems aren’t isolated to just one crop. They are spreading into
every aspect of farming. “Both the livestock sectors and the crop sectors are struggling meeting cash-flow issues,” said Featherstone. Producers and lenders across the state can gain deeper insight into these issues by attending a program offered by the Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics, “Top 10 Considerations to Navigate a Struggling
Farm Economy.” The seminar will be offered at three area locations in February: Feb. 6: Hays. For registration contact Ellis County Extension, 785628-9430. Feb. 7: Dodge City. For registration contact Ford County Extension, 620-227-4542. Feb. 8: Colby. For registration contact Thomas County Extension, 785460-4582.
she said.
ers are being told to relocate their hives to prevent chemical contamination, a solution that’s as impractical as it is scientifically unfeasible, and the population continues to decline. Research has shown that neonicotinoids aren’t staying put, that only 20 percent is taken up in the plant and the rest is being dispersed to waterways and untreated plants. There’s also an evolution taking place in every farmer’s field with insects and neonicotinoids, Lundgren said. During a question and answer session following the presentation, an audience mem-
ber asked him how that evolution could alter the insect community. “I’m not sure,” Lundgren said. “I’m not sure anyone knows.”
(continued from page 26)
is so critical that efforts to stop the collapse of bee populations must focus first on soil health. “Anything less than that and you’re going to continue to have dead bees,” he said. One of the driving forces behind pollinator losses is the prevalent use of pesticides and herbicides containing neonicotinoids. In 2013 virtually all corn planted in the U.S. was treated with neonictinoids. As of 2014, about one-third of soybean acres used treated seeds. “All of these (acres) are being treated with neonicotinoid treatments unnecessarily,” he said. “As biodiversity declines, we see the simplification of our landscape as part of our food production system.” The more chemicals are used, the more they’re needed, a process he compared to an addiction. That doesn’t mean that chemicals should be demonized, he adds. A simplified system still needs input. Farmers need to know what they’re treating their crops with and what longterm effects they might have, and in order for that to happen, he said, scientists need to stand up to special interests and corporate interference. Science Research ‘Spotty’ History shows that scientific research has been spotty regarding the safety of agrochemicals, he said. When DDT was offered after World War II, it was considered safe. Other chemicals followed suit, each with its own undesirable effects. But, in the mid-1990s genetically modified organisms (GMOs) came along, triggering a paradigm shift. “It took the decision-
making process out of the harvester’s hands and put it into the hands of the seed dealer,” he said. “You no longer had to know what was in your fields. It was insurance. All you had to do is buy a bag of seed and your pests were taken care of. That’s where we are today.” “Throughout history, whenever we tried replacing Mother Nature with technology, eventually Mother Nature kicks us,” he said. “We’re using more pesticides than we ever have before. If they worked, we’d have won.” If farmers are just reacting to symptoms of a deeper problem without solving the problem itself, he said, then the only answer is more pesticides and a continuance of the addiction. The problem isn’t pests, he said, but a lack of diversity and too much disturbance. “If you have a pest problem in your field, it’s because something in your field is out of whack,” he said. In organic systems, studies have shown that as predator species increase, pest species decrease. Predator diversity also increases. Only by addressing the lack of biodiversity through integrated pest management systems will we get through this, Lundgren said. Hopwood agreed. Strategies for improving biodiversity can be modest to extreme, but regardless of their scope, all are beneficial. Good sanitation, crop rotation, spraying at night when crops are dry, using agrochemicals that aren’t toxic to honeybees, reducing spray drift whenever possible and establishing buffers or setbacks that aren’t sprayed are all good management practices,
(continued from page 26)
Gilpin said that having record high yields, along with lower protein and a lack of storage areas, are large factors for driving prices downward. Within the last year, Kansas and the rest of the U.S have seen a downfall in income, followed by a decrease in wheat acres planted. “The environmental impact each year is always somewhat different on each crop,” said Gilpin, referring to drought con-
ditions in Western Kansas. “This dictates how each crop, year after year, will have different qualities. “It will have different strengths, and it will have different weaknesses. This makes it important to do seminars annually to talk about quality attributes to our customers in a competitive environment, because a customer with more information ultimately will be a better customer.”
It’s not a ‘Bee Problem’ Lundgren, who describes himself as neither anti-pesticide nor anti-fertilizer, said that the decline in pollinator species is not a bee problem. Studies have placed the blame on mites, pests, diseases and the outside possibility of pesticide use. “All of these issues are related to one thing, the lack of diversity in our environment,” he said. “If we can get that back, bees can resist a super virus or varroa mites. The bees are telling us something, and we should listen.” Meanwhile, beekeep-
Other conference speakers and workshops expanded on Lundgren’s theme of pollinator and soil health with such topics as sustainable beekeeping, adding livestock to urban or small scale farms, spray drift impacts and preventions, and more. See presentations on the KRC website at www.kansasruralcenter.org/krc-farmfood-conference-2016-presentations/. Tom Parker is a free-lance writer who prepared this story for the Kansas Rural Center
$
7
The Scott County Record • Page 28 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Call 872-2090 today!
Per Week
The Scott County Record Professional Directory
There’s no better way to reach your potential customers in Scott County and the surrounding areas.
Pro Ex II
Agriculture
Preconditioning and Growing
Over 20 Years Experience
• 45 Years Experience • Managed and owned by full-time DVM • 2,000 Head capacity Office - 872-5150 • Scott City
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
Stuart Doornbos Home - 872-2775 Cell - 874-0951
Walker Plumbing, Inc.
Sager’s Pump Service
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
• Irrigation • Domestic • Windmills • Submersibles
Cell: 874-4486 • Office 872-2101
423 S. Mesquite Rd. • Scott City • 872-2130
Construction/Home Repair
RT Plumbing Rex Turley, Master Plumber
Residental and Commercial Plumbing Water Systems, water lines, sewer cleaning faucets and fixtures, garbage diposals and more
Marienthal, Ks.
620-909-5014 (H) • 620-874-4128 (C)
ELLIS AG SERVICES • Custom Manure Conditioning • Hauling and Spreading • Custom Swathing and Baling • Rounds-Net or Twine • Gyp and Sand Sales • Custom Harvesting Call Brittan Ellis • 620-874-5160
CHAMBLESS ROOFING Residential
SPENCER PEST CONTROL All Types of Roofing
Commercial
Cedar Shake and Shingle Specialists Return to Craftsmanship Attention to Detail and Quality Guaranteed
RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL Termite Baiting Systems • Rodents Weed Control • Structural Insects Termite Control Box 258, Scott City • (620) 872-2870
620-872-2679 • 1-800-401-2683
Automotive
Faurot Electric, Inc. Office • 620-872-5344 Jeromy Lisenby • 620-214-3247
P.O. Box 14 • Scott City
Landscaping • Lawn/Trees
Red
Specializing in
all coatings t Paint i or any other color
Paint inside and out residential, commercial, and industrial. Free estimates and 16 plus years of experience.
PC Painting, Inc. Paul Cramer 620-290-2410 620-872-8910 www.pcpaintinginc.com
ES N JO UB S CL B Driving M LA
for the PURPLE!
Jeremy • 620-397-1638 Stefanie • 620-397-8075
Medical
Charles Purma II D.D.S. P.A. General Dentistry, Cosmetics, and Insurance Accepted
We welcome new patients. 324 N. Main • Scott City • 872-2389 Residence 872-5933
$
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The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Call 872-2090 today!
Per Week
Professional Directory Continued
Medical
Horizon Health For your home medical supply and equipment needs! We service and repair all that we sell.
Brent Rogers
Sales Consultant b.rogers@officesolutionsinc.biz
Office (620) 276-3131 Toll Free 1-800-794-9052 Cell (620) 874-0014 Fax (620) 276-8876 1007 N. 8th, Garden City, KS 67846 www.officesolutionsinc.biz
1602 S. Main • Scott City • 872-2232 Toll Free : 1-866-672-2232
Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center Dr. James Yager 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
Dr. Jeffrey A. Heyd
Services
Optometrist Treatment of Ocular Disease • Glaucoma Detection Children’s Vision • Glasses • Contact Lenses
Complete family eye center! 106 W. 4th • Scott City • 872-2020 • Emergencies: 214-1462
201 Albert Avenue (620) 872-2187 • www.scotthospital.net
Christian Cupp, MD
Thea Beckman, APRN
Elizabeth Hineman, MD
Megan Dirks, APRN
Matthew Lightner, MD
Joie Tedder, APRN
William Slater, MD FACS
Ryan Michels, PA-C
Melissa Batterton, APRN
Caley Roberts, PA-C
For Sale
LENDERS OFFERING $0 down for landowners. Roll your new home and land improvements into one package. Discount national pricing on Breeze II doublewide and our 60th anniversary singlewide. Trade-ins welcome. 866-858-6862.
DISH TV. Best deal ever. Only $39.99/mo. Plus $14.99/mo. internet (where available). Free streaming. Free install (up to 6 rooms). Free HD/ DVR. 1-800-676-6809. ––––––––––––––––––––– 40-FOOT GRADE A steel cargo containers. $1,500 in KC. $2,200 in Solomon, Ks. 20s, 45s, 48s and 53s also available. Call (785) 655-9430 or go on-line to Chuckhenry. com for pricing, availability and freight estimates. ––––––––––––––––––––– ENJOY 100% guaranteed, delivered to-thedoor Omaha Steaks. Save 77%, plus get 4 free Kielbasa sausages. Order The Family Gourmet Feast, only $49.99. 1-800-762-3909. Mention offer tender98 or www.OmahaSteaks. com/44240JYZ.
GUN SHOW. Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Saturday, 9:005:00; Sunday 9:00-3:00. Kansas Coliseum (1279 E. 85th St. N), Wichita. BuySell-Trade. For info: (563) 927-8176. This is our final show here as the Coliseum is closing. ––––––––––––––––––––– OUR HUNTERS will pay top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a free base camp leasing info packet and quote. 1-866-309-1507. www.BaseCampLeasing. com.
Education ENTRY LEVEL heavy equipment operator career. Get trained. Get certified. Get hired. Bulldozers, backhoes and excavators. Immediate lifetime job placement. VA benefits. 1-866-362-6497.
20/20 Optometry
SCOTT CITY CLINIC
Homes
Sports/Outdoors
(Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”... Technology Lead Chiropractic
110 W. 4th St. • Scott City • 872-2310 Toll Free: 800-203-9606
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.
Berning Auction “Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”
For all your auction needs call:
(620) 375-4130
County Plat Maps Scott
Logan
Ness
Wichita
Gove
Wallace
Lane
Greeley
Finney
Kearney
Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti
406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090
Retail
Gene’s Appliance Over 200 appliances in stock! COMPARE OUR PRICES!
We have Reverse Osmosis units in stock. Remember us for parts in stock for all brands of all appliances. Sales and Service Days • Mon. - Sat. Deliveries • Mon.-Sat.
Largest Frigidaire appliance dealer in Western Ks. 508 Madison • Scott City • 872-3686
Networktronic, Inc.
Computer Sales, Service and Repair Custom computers! Networking solutions! Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 402 S. Main, Scott City • 872-1300
Northend Disposal A garbologist company. Scott City • 872-1223 • 1-800-303-3371
Dining
Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
www.reganjewelers.com
412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142
Classifieds
The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009
Berry Realty • 872-5700
Classified Ad Deadline: Monday at 5:00 p.m. Classified Ad Rate: 20¢ per word. Minimum charge, $5. Blind ad: $2.50 per week extra. Card of thanks: 10¢ per word. Minimum charge, $3. Classified Display Ad rate: $6.00 per column inch.
1102 S. Main, Scott City, Ks 67871 www.berryrealtyonline.com
Charles Berry, Broker • 874-0738 Brett Berry, Sales Assoc. • 316-258-3387 Tracy Chambless, Sales Assoc. • 874-2124
Classified advertising must be paid in advance unless business account is established.
Start Your New Year
If not paid in advance, there will be a $1 billing charge. Tear sheet for classified ad will be $1 extra.
Thank You The family of Bob Mumma wishes to thank everyone for the food, flowers, cards, calls and other acts of kindness. Scott City is a great place to live with very caring people. Travis Jones and family
For Sale
FRIGIDAIRE STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR for sale. Tradition top freezer, bottom fridge. Purchansed Fall of 2013. Has been in storage for two years. Works perfectly. $500. Call 316259-4150. 1716tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– LG TROMM BLANK FRONT LOAD WASHER AND ELECTRIC DRYER for sale. Comes with pedestals and stacking kit. Purchased in 2006. Main water pump in washer replaced this year. Sold as set for $600. Call 316-259-4150. 1716tfc
Rentals HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available. Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, 620-874-2120. 41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– PLAINJAN’S RENTAL houses and duplexes. Stop by the office or call 620872-5777. 05tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOM APPARTMENTS for rent. Call 620-874-8353. 2016tfc
Agriculture WANT TO BUY. Stored corn. Call for basis and contract information. 1-800-579-3645. Lane County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– WANT TO BUY. Wheat straw delivered. Call for contracting information. Lane County Feeders, 397-5341. 44tfc
Services
COMPUTER SERVICES for PC and Mac computers. Computer repair and virus removal. Call or email Josh at OsComp to schedule an appointment. 24-hour help line 620-376-8660 or email josh_4974@hotmail.com. ––––––––––––––––––– WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 874-4135. 34tfc –––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 874-1412. 4015tfc –––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Rob Vsetecka at 620-214-1730. 4515tfc
Livestock
REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS. Crooked Creek Angus, St. Francis, Ks. Call 785-332-6206. www. crookedcreekangus.com. 0916t13
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, that’s ours. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Tuesday nights at 8:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church basement (use west door). 412 College, Scott City. Al-Anon at same time and location. Contact: 874-0472 or 872-3137. 25tfc
off right in this gorgeous home built in 2012! Over 4,400 sq. ft. with 4-bedrooms, office, 3-full bathrooms, large familyroom downstairs with kitchenette! Triple garage, large shop - all on 6 acres!
3 + 2 bedrooms, 1-3/4 baths, familyroom PLUS lots of updates! Large 24’x36’ garage!
Lawrence and Associates
Deb Lawrence, GRI Broker Shorty Lawrence, Sales Assoc. 513 Main • Scott City 872-5267 ofc. 872-7184 hm. lawrenceandassocrealty.com Sheila Ellis, Broker Assoc. 872-2056 Kerry Gough, Sales Assoc. 872-7337 Russell Berning, 874-4405 www.berningauction.com Maranda Cersovsky, 874-8332 Serving Dighton and Healy
District 11 AA Meetings
Scott City
Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. 8:00 p.m. 807 Kingsley Last Saturday of the month Birthday Night • 6:30 p.m. All open meetings 214-4188 • 214-2877
Dighton Thursday • 8:30 p.m. 535 Wichita St. All open meetings 620-397-2647
We have room for you!
The Scott County Record • Page 31 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Employment Opportunities
Scott County Hospital Has Openings for the Following Positions
NOTICE The Scott County Commissioners are accepting sealed bids for cash lease of the farm ground held in the Zella Carpenter Trust.
PATIENT CARE Acute Care RNs Physical Therapist - FT Night Nurse Supervisor RN - FT Evening Cook - FT Clinic Medical Assistant - FT C.N.A - FT Circulating RN - FT Outreach RN - FT Outreach Supervisor RN - FT Medical Technologist Nights - FT PACU RN - FT COTA (Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant) - FT Applicants for these positions are required to be able to read, speak and understand English. Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, immunization titer, physical assessment and TB skin test required. We are a tobacco free campus. We offer competitive pay and great benefits.
All sealed bids must be presented to: Scott County Clerk 303 Court Street, Scott City Before: Tuesday, Jan. 17, noon
2116tfc
Information regarding the conditions of the lease, and the farm ground held in the Trust, can be obtained at the Scott County Clerk’s office at the address above. The Scott County Commissioners reserve the right to accept or reject all bids. 2116t3
WORD SEARCH Actor Aren't Bedtime Bread Canoes Cones Decrease Devils Drunk Enable Enthusiastic Escapes Ethnic Event Exact Exits Forms Glare Hangs Insect Ladder Learns
Missed Nerve North Onion Pearl Plural Poems Poison Presenting Reins Roped Round Secured Seemed Seems Shall Spear Spine Steel Steer Stone Though
Toast Topic Tries Tuesday Twenty Until Upset Using Vapor Waiter
Applications are available on our website at www.scotthospital.net or call 620-872-7772 for more information.
The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, December 29, 2016
Crisis
(continued from page 25)
and underfunded weather modification program conducted by Groundwater Management District No. 1 has been suspended for 2017. There’s a strong possibility the program will eventually be abandoned due to lack of funding. It’s a disappointing conclusion for a program that was at the forefront of an effort with a goal of prolonging the aquifer. Former GWMD manager Keith Lebbin and the board were among the first to realize that the Ogallala Aquifer couldn’t sustain the growing demand by irrigators in Western Kansas. It was hoped that by increasing rainfall, it would relieve pressure on the Ogallala while sustaining agricultural development in the region. While the approach was far more scientific than rainmaking predecessors of the 1890s and into the mid-1900s, the results were often hard to quantify. Some areas reported a marginal increase in rainfall - 11 percent more in one test area. What captured the interest of the GWMD was statistical data showing a significant reduction in hail that resulted from their cloud seeding efforts. A 1994 study conducted by the Kansas Water Office put the level of hail reduction at 27 percent and it concluded that for every dollar spent on the program it returned $37 in benefits. In the 11-county area initially served by the weather mod program, the KWO determined there had been $60 million in crop savings (after weather mod expenses) from 1979-93. A follow-up study in 2006 reaffirmed those numbers and, in fact, said Suspend Weather Mod the hail reduction could The often maligned be as high as 35 percent. “It won’t affect our staffing or resident care,” noted Administrator Nicole Turner. “But, we’ll have to find the savings somewhere.” In the long-term, any loss of revenue has to be made up for somehow - either through higher rates or more assistance from county taxpayers who own the facility. While the number of residents on Medicaid and the reimbursement each receives will fluctuate according to care required - Turner is estimating the nursing home will lose about $24,000 annually. Russell Child Development Center has been hit hard by the loss of early childhood blocks grants that should have been funded through the Childrens Initiative Fund. Over the years, tens of millions of dollars that were originally intended for early childhood programs have instead been redirected to the state’s general fund. Brownback’s midyear cuts took another $312,491 from RCDC. The Southwest Kansas program serves over 4,000 children. In order to hold the line on school funding, the state adopted a grant program which froze spending at the 2014 level for two years. The Scott County school district has been hit particularly hard by the frozen funding since it has received no additional aid while enrollment has climbed the last two years. In December, the district was informed it would not be receiving $150,000 in “extraordinary needs” funding. That puts the loss of state money over the last three years at about $750,000, according to Supt. Jamie Rumford.
Events
An architect’s drawing of one concept being considered for the El Cuartelejo Interpretive Center.
In 1975, when it began as the Muddy Roads Program, weather modification covered all of Scott, Finney, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, Lane, Stanton and Wichita counties, along with part of Wallace County. In 1984, it evolved into the Western Kansas Weather Modification program. Despite statistical evidence to support that effort, the weather modification program has struggled in recent years to maintain adequate funding to keep its aircraft flying. By 2013, a program that at one time had covered all or parts of 25 Western Kansas counties had been reduced to only five counties. When Wichita and Hamilton counties decided to no longer fund the program, that left only Scott, Lane and Kearny in 2014. For the last two weather mod seasons, the only participants were Scott and Lane counties. Only Scott County had committed to funding the program in 2017. “As a board, we hate to say that the program’s done, but unless something changes within the next year or so, that’s probably what we’re looking at,” says GWMD manager Kyle Spencer, who has also been a weather modification pilot since 1987. “I believe we felt we had one more year, but we’ve been saying that for the last three or four years.”
SCES music instructor Nancy Green and students incorporate rhythm and dancing while using a parachute to the musical theme from Star Wars. During 2016, she was recognized as the “Outstanding Elementary Music Teacher” in Southwest Kansas by the Kansas Music Educators Association. (Record Photo)
heard discussion about the need for some type of museum or permanent structure to protect the El Cuartelejo ruins at Lake Scott State Park. It’s a project that’s been paid substantial lip service, but no results. So when plans were unveiled for a fundraising campaign that would lead to the construction of an interpretative center, complete with artifacts excavated from the site over the past 90 years, Thomas had one important stipulation. This had to go beyond the talking stage. “I wasn’t going to let this languish for another four or five years,” Thomas emphasized. In fact, Thomas has set an aggressive time line Interpretive Center that calls for groundFor most of his adult breaking of the interprelife, Jerry Thomas has tative center, estimated at
$1.2 million, to be held in March or April of 2017. While Thomas has preliminary plans for a 60x100 square foot building that will completely surround the ruins, that will be contingent upon an archeological survey by the Kansas State Historical Society. That survey will determine if there are any other significant elements buried around the ruins that would have to be removed or which could alter the location or dimensions of the center. Thomas says the proposed building will be of pre-stressed concrete. A sensitive issue with local historians over the years has been the number of artifacts which were taken from the site in four separate archeological digs dating back to the first one in 1898.
Items from El Quartelejo are stored in several museums, including the Museum of History at the University of Kansas and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Thomas has been in contact with these museums and expressed a desire to see these items become part of the permanent exhibit at the interpretive center. “Everyone wants to see the schematic for the center, which I understand. We have to construct a building that is secure and safe and will protect our world class artifacts,” he says. Will these museums be receptive in releasing artifacts collected at the site? “Absolutely,” Thomas assures.
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convert K96 into a two•Preliminary enrolllane highway through ment numbers for USD Scott City. 466 were up 50 students from the previous year. July: •Sharply declining oil September: and gas valuations con•Despite what it contributed to a $6 million sidered a “soft year,” the loss in property valuations Scott County Hospital for Scott County. That reported record-setting forced the county to hike gross revenue of $27.36 its tax levy by four mills. million for the previous year (July 1, 2015, to June August: 30, 2016). •Ground was broken •District Magistrate in the Eastridge Addition Judge Jim Collins refor the construction of tired after 18 years on the four new homes that are bench. being funded through the Northwest Kansas Hous- October: ing project. •Armando Tarango’s •Several hundred appointment to the Scott people attended a book City Council was historysigning by former SCHS making as he became the basketball standout Ron first Hispanic to serve on Baker who had been the elected body. signed to a contract by the New York Knicks. November: •The USD 466 board •Ed Frock was sworn of education and teachers in as the new district magreached agreement on a istrate judge for Scott two percent pay raise for County. the 2016-17 school year. •”Stepping Up” re-
Local historian Jerry Snyder points out the unique stone work that Herb Steele used on the exterior of his home in Lake Scott State Park. Through Snyder’s efforts, the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. (Record Photo)
ceived permission to establish a halfway house in the Plains Inn Motel. The Stepping Up board moved forward with plans to purchase the site and will continue to operate a motel with some rooms set aside for individuals par-
ticipating in the program. December: •Kent Hill resigned after 30 years with Compass Behavioral Health (previously Area Mental Health Center) in Scott City. Since 1997, he had been
the regional director for Scott, Lane, Wichita and Greeley counties. •Rep. Don Hineman (R-Dighton) was elected House Majority Leader in the Kansas Legislature. •The Scott County school district was in-
formed that $150,000 in “extraordinary needs” funding which had been approved by the state in August was not going to be distributed because the selling price of the Kansas Bioscience Authority fell below expectations.