The Scott County Record by The Scott County Record

A white buffalo grazes with other members of the herd at the refuge at Lake Scott State Park

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38 Pages • Four Sections Look Inside

Sports Comeback wins give SCHS spikers a squad sweep Page 19

Volume 24 • Number 6

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Published in Scott City, Ks.

‘Soft’ year still a record for SCH

When the bar has been set so high year after year, which has happened at the Scott County Hospital, even a very good year may not feel that way. Despite another record-setting year in gross income, hospital revenue didn’t quite measure up to the sizeable year-to-year increase that hospital administration has grown accustomed to seeing over the past decade. “We had a soft year, but I antic-

ipated that,” CEO Mark Burnett told county commissioners. “Our expenses were up considerably because we made a commitment to beef up our staff at the clinic,” he explained. That added about $500,000 to the hospital’s expenses, “but it was needed,” Burnett said. In addition, the hospital typically sees a lot of patients during flu season and that didn’t happen this past year.

Even with those factors, gross revenue (before expenses) was a record-setting $27.36 million - an increase of nearly $1.2 million from the previous year. Total operating expenses were also a record high at $23.24 million. Net income - which includes building and equipment depreciation - showed the hospital operating at a $2.8 million loss which was also a record.

Index

Opinions...................4-7 Calendar...................... 7 Whimmydiddle..........8-9 Business.................... 11 Public notices.......12-13 LEC report................. 12 Church services......... 15 Health care...........16-17 Sports...................19-26 Pigskin Payoff............ 24 Farm section.........22-33 Classified ads.......35-37

Deaths

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

In order to receive the autographed basketball that he won in a drawing, six-year-old Justin Singley first had to walk the “cool way” with some help from Brittany Dorsey and her fellow Harlem Ambassadors. The basketball team played the Chamber Challengers in a fundraising game on Sunday afternoon at Scott Community High School. More about the Ambassadors and the game can be found on page 26. (Record Photo)

9th Street Trail Marked The city has marked an eight-foot area on the south side of Ninth Street - from Maddux Park to Jefferson Street - that is designated for walkers and bikers. It’s part of the continuing effort to extend the trail from Palmer Park throughout the community. There are also plans to construct a trail on the old railroad right-of-way. The council emphasized that the trail designation does not prevent vehicles from parking along the curb within the marked trail. “It should benefit a lot of the foot traffic going to and from the middle school every day,” Todd says. “Now we just need to educate the kids to use it,” added Councilman Perry Nowak.

Mountains of grain that dotted the Western Kansas landscape following a record-setting wheat crop have disappeared, only to give way to what are expected to be mountains of corn and milo over the next few weeks. Terminal storage sites have provided a huge relief for country elevators in the region, allow-

ing them to make preparations for huge fall crops which should begin arriving within the next few days. “Exporters came to the table in a big way,” says Scott Co-op Manager Jason Baker, who said that by the end of September the Co-op will have shipped out more than seven million bushels

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

Terminals provide relief as area elevators prepare for fall harvest 406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com

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

Alice Carlson Ted Fisher Omah Penka Richard Smith

Agriculture KCA voices its opposition to Checkoff proposal Page 28

(See HOSPITAL on page 10)

Like many Scott City residents, Max Edwards enjoys the new walking trail that’s been developed at Palmer Park. What he doesn’t enjoy is dodging goat heads and stickers while biking. “It’s getting worse,” Edwards told the city council as he wondered who was responsible for eliminating the nuisance. He asked if the Scott Recreation Commission should be taking care of the problem and City Councilman Fred Kuntzsch said he thought it was the city’s responsibility. Public Works Director Mike Todd told the council the area around the bike/walking path had been sprayed for stickers earlier this year. “It killed the buffalograss and the stickers are still healthy,” he noted. Todd assured Edwards that the parks department would address the problem.

Business Scott County Hardware makes move to new location Page 9

Local Witten is making horseback trek for those who can’t Page 27

It’s nothing to be alarmed about, noted Burnett, who said that’s pretty typical. “We still put some cash in the bank,” he said. “Our gross receipts were still up pretty significantly. We’re continuing to do more business. “It wasn’t the year that I hoped to have, but all things considered, it was the kind of year I expected to have,” he says. “We used this

A stick(er)y problem for walking trail

walk this way

State Highway system doesn’t live up to KDOT claims Page 13

Health Employers save on health insurance at employees’ expense Page 16

$1 single copy

of grain by truck and rail. “The exporters were able to put together end-users 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.” As it stands, Baker and other elevator managers across the region can breathe a little easier knowing they are in much better position to handle another bumper corn and milo harvest. “Our elevators are 80 percent empty going into harvest,” Baker (See HARVEST on page two)

Harvest says. “Our company and everyone else has done a great job of moving a lot of grain in a short time.” At the same time, Baker knows the reprieve will be brief. “The elevators don’t have enough capacity to hold this crop and the terminals are full. We’re on our own,” he says. Corn Projections High Most everyone is in agreement that the corn crop will be at least as good, or better, than a year ago.

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

(continued from page one)

“I’m hearing potential dryland yields of 150 bushels, which would be phenomenal,” Baker says. Irrigated corn will typically average about 200 bushels, but this year there could be yields of 250 bushels or better. “More acreage has been planted (to corn) and with yields in line with last year, or better, this should be an excellent crop,” says the Co-op manager. The Co-op had taken a few loads of corn prior to Tuesday’s rain. It was within a moisture range

the elevator could handle, Baker says. If the weather cooperates, corn harvest could be going strong by the weekend. Milo Showing Stress While growing conditions were excellent for most of the summer, the milo in some areas has begun to show a little stress over the last 4-6 weeks because of dry conditions. “We didn’t get as much rain around here as some areas got, but the crop is still looking pretty good,”

Baker says. “Last year’s milo harvest was the largest we’d ever had and this one is lining up to be at least as good.” And there seems to be no relief in the markets either. Corn was selling for $2.75 on Tuesday and milo was only $2.20/bu. “I think we’re stuck in this for awhile, 18 to 24 months, maybe longer. We have a lot of bushels to work through,” Baker adds. “I don’t know if we’ve bottomed out, unfortunately.

City council to review employee smoking policy In response to a complaint from a local citizen, the Scott City Council is reviewing the policy for city employees smoking in city-owned vehicles. “I’ve heard some complaints and I was wondering if we had something about it in the (employee) handbook,” wondered Councilwoman Barb Wilkinson at the last meeting. She was informed there is currently no policy that

prevents smoking. “This was discussed years ago, but I don’t know what was decided,” added Public Works Director Mike Todd. The council was informed there are “at least” two employees with the public works department and police department who have smoked in city vehicles. The council will revisit the issue at Monday’s meeting.

Sept. 19 - 23

Majestic Theatre 420 Main • 872-3840

Lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri.-11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Evenings Thurs., Fri., Sat.- 5:30-10:00 p.m.

Tues. • Open faced prime rib sandwich with french fries $11.95 Wed. • Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy $7.95 Thurs. • Reuben sandwich with chips $6.95 Fri. • Tijuana tostada $6.95

1211 Main • 872-3215

5Buck Lunch

• Chili Cheese Dog • Deluxe Cheeseburger • 3 Piece Chicken Strips

Includes Fries, 21 oz. Drink and Small Sundae

1718 S. Main • 872-5767 1304 S. Main • 872-5301

49 Full Buffet

Available in: 6 pc. • 12 pc. • 24 pc.

% 100 all white-meat chicken

The Broiler

102 Main Street • 872-5055 Mon. • Steak and velveeta on a hoagie bun $6.00 Taco Tues. • Tacos 99¢ Funny Tacos $1.50 Wed. • 2 pc. chicken dinner includes potato and vegetables $6.25 Thurs. • 4 oz. chicken fry dinner includes potato vegetables $6.25 Fri. • Fish and chips $6.25 Sat. • Farmer skillets $6.95 Sunday Buffet 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Support Your Local Restaurants

1502 S. Main • 872-7288

VIP Center

302 Church St. • 872-3501

$5 ($3 - 60 yrs. up)

Monday • Polish sausage, Peas, Steamed cabbage, Bun, Tropical fruit salad Tuesday • Crispy chicken wrap, Cottage cheese, Carrot raisin salad, Tortilla, Pears Wednesday • Salmon patty, Ribettes, Mac and cheese, California blend, WW roll, Applesauce Thursday • Oven fried chicken, Mashed potatoes with gravy, Carrots, WW bread, Ambrosia Friday • Taco salad, Refried beans, Vegetable in entree, Breadstick, Sherbet

Community Living

The Scott County Record

Page 3 - Thursday, September 15, 2016

Understanding labels can reduce food waste Each year Americans throw out as much as 40 percent of the country’s food supply, worth an estimated $165 billion. Much of it is a result of confusion about the dates found on the product. How products are dated in the U.S. can be very confusing and does lead to Carol Ann unnecessary Crouch food waste. Family and This also Consumer makes it very Sciences Agent for difficult for Scott County small-scale food producers and processors to know how to date their products. On the other hand, food safety people, such as myself,

often tell consumers when considering a questionable food product, “If in doubt, throw it out.” How do we balance these two sides - reducing food waste, but also ensuring food safety? Here are some key facts to help consumers protect themselves from food safety risks, but not waste food unnecessarily. 1) The only food product in which expiration dates are federally regulated is infant formula. Therefore, you should NOT buy or use baby formula after its “use by” date, for both safety and nutritional reasons. 2) Some states do require dating of some foods, but other than infant formula, there is no regulated dating system across

Garden Club to end tree giveaway

The Scott County Garden Club met Aug. 16 at the Modoc Town Hall with hostess, Sherry Novak. Nine members answered the roll call to, “How can we improve the Fair flower show? During the meeting there was lively discussion about club projects including the annual sixth grade tree giveaway and the county fair flower show. It was decided to discontinue the tree give away due to lack of inter-

est within the community. The group will look into hosting a pond/garden tour next year. The hostess served refreshments and the group visited about general gardening tips. The public is always invited to attend a meeting and the club is open to new members. The new club year starts in October. Anyone wanting to learn more about the club can contact President Sherry Novak (872-2053).

the U.S. However, USDA does provide the following definitions for terms used on food product labels: Sell by: tells the store how long to display the product for sale. You should buy the product before that date. Best if used by (or before): recommended for best flavor or quality. It is NOT a purchase or safety date. Use by: the last date recommended by the manufacturer for the use of the product while at peak quality. Note: these dates generally refer to food quality, rather than safety. However, they can give a general idea of how long the food has been on the market. 3) The most important thing consumers can do to impact

the length of time to safely keep and use food is to handle it properly. This includes the following: •If perishable, take the food home immediately after purchase and refrigerate it (at 40 degrees or below) within at least two hours. Freeze it if you can’t use it within the USDA recommended refrigerated storage times. These times can be found at www. fsis.usda.gov. Note: once a perishable product is frozen, microbial growth stops, so it will be as safe as it was when it went into the freezer. •Store foods at the proper temperature and length of time. Do not leave perishable foods at room temperature

$900 to be given away in this year’s Pigskin Payoff which appears in The Record. But you can’t win if you don’t play.

for more than two hours. For example, if you know that a carton of milk has been sitting on the counter for more than three hours, throw it out. The proper temperature and length of time can be found at http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/ store.html or you can pick up a copy in the Extension office. •Follow the handling and preparation instructions on the product label. •Avoid cross-contamination and ensure proper sanitation. •If the product does have visible mold, off odors, the can is bulging or other similar signs, this spoilage could be a sign that dangerous microorganisms are present. If this occurs, use the, “If in doubt, throw it out” rule.

All Day Whimmydiddle Saturday, Sept. 24

* ¢ *

100% Real Ice Cream

Recipe favorites . . .

No-Fuss Tex-Mex Rollups

Ingredients 1 pound 2 cups 1 tablespoon 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 8 1/4 cup 1/2 cup

lean ground beef chopped red pepper chili powder sour cream shredded cheddar cheese, divided flour tortillas Zesty Italian Dressing salsa

Cooking Directions Brown meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Stir in peppers and chili powder; cook 5 minutes or until peppers are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and 1/4 cup of the cheese. Spoon about 1/3 cup meat mixture onto each tortilla. Roll up and arrange in 13x9-inch baking pan. Drizzle with dressing; top with salsa and remaining cheese. Broil, 4 to 6 inches from heat source, 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Yield: 4 servings

*While supplies last, add-ons are extra. Other discounts and coupons not valid with this promotion. Promotion good all day, 9/24/16 only.

Buy of the Week

Wednesday, Sept. 14 - Tuesday, Sept. 20

Pork Sirloin $ Boneless Whole In Bag

58 lb.

1314 S. Main, Scott City

872-5854 www.heartlandfoodsstores.com

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, September 15, 2016

editorially speaking

Let’s talk:

Governor finally wants a conversation on education

Six years into his administration, Gov. Sam Brownback says he wants to talk about public education. That’s good. It would have been better when he was first elected to office; or before he and ultraconservative lawmakers decided to move forward with a disastrous tax cut; or perhaps two years ago before block grant funding was thrust upon Kansas school districts. With public schools in Kansas on financial life support, now the governor wants to have a chat. Unfortunately, this promises to be a one-sided conversation. For there to be any meaningful dialogue, there has to be some agreement on the facts and that isn’t likely to happen. In declaring his intention to meet with leaders in the educational community, Brownback falls back on his standard line that “K-12 funding has increased 10 percent during my administration.” That’s true only if one figures in KPERS contributions and other funding that doesn’t make it into the classroom. According to the Kansas Association of School Boards, net funding to schools has increased by only 0.67 percent over the past six years. And the block grant program includes no provision for increased enrollment. Because of higher enrollment in the Scott County district - even after getting “extraordinary needs” money from the state - we missed out on $620,000 in basic state aid that we would have received under the old finance formula. If the governor wants to have a conversation, we could start by discussing real numbers instead of his 10 percent fantasy numbers. We could also discuss how the cost of providing an education hasn’t been frozen for the last two years, as grant funding has been for most districts. We could also toss in how the lack of state funding is making it difficult to hire staff and retain quality teachers in districts across the state. There’s much more that individual school districts are willing to discuss with the governor, but we’re not sure it’s the kind of conversation he’s interested in having. In a recent meeting with the Northeast Johnson County Conservatives, Brownback said he supports allowing local school districts to raise more money. How many times must we travel down this path? How many times must you be told by the Kansas Supreme Court this leads to more inequity between the haves and the have-nots? Wealthy districts, like Shawnee Mission, are more than willing to have that conversation, but what about poor districts in southeast Kansas? Or, maybe they should just bite their collective tongues because school funding has increased 10 percent, right? What are they complaining about? Brownback speaks of giving “teachers the flexibility to teach,” and of technical education programs and of more collaboration between educators and the business community. All of that sounds great and there’s no question that we must continue to be innovative in education. The bottom line, however, is that it takes money. It’s a fact that Brownback and ultraconservative members of the Kansas Legislature have consistently tried to dodge that issue while creating their own school funding reality. Until Brownback proves otherwise, any conversation the governor has on public education is going to be filled with more empty rhetoric than substance.

Another charade:

Trump’s employees don’t benefit from maternity leave

Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s latest scheme to reach out to voters he has spent months alienating is to offer policy proposals that appeal to female voters. He’s trying to win back women voters by offering a plan to address the growing cost of child care, including maternity leave. The Trump plan seems to run counter to the candidate’s disdain for women who aren’t supermodels and comes as a bit of a surprise given a statement he once made that “pregnancy is an inconvenient thing for a business.” When asked about her father’s change of heart during an interview this week, Ivanka Trump considered the questioning negative and “unfair” before abruptly ending the interview. Had she not, she might have been forced to answer what kind of maternity leave program they offer their own employees. Given that he provides employment for so many thousands and thousands of people, there must surely be a policy in place. And there is . . . sort of. When Trump brags about providing child care services it’s only for his hotel and golf guests - not his actual employees. And his plan for a tax deduction will only benefit the wealthy, not those who can’t afford child care in the first place. Like Trump University and his charitable giving, maternity leave is another charade. It’s a scheme to fool those voters who don’t know any better.

Our ‘deplorable’ state of politics

From the moment that Donald Trump made his first claim that illegal immigrants were killers and rapists, from his first declaration to build a huge wall and his additional promise to ban Muslims from entering the United States, it’s been no secret what segment of the population is at the heart of his political base. If you’re a racist or a bigot, then Trump is your man. But, to offer such a general comment about Trump supporters is “offensive.” Surely, someone can vote for Trump without being a racist, right? Like the Republican Party’s long-standing “southern strategy” and more recent efforts to undercut the Voting Rights Act across the south, the GOP has had a long-standing, unstated goal of minimalizing people of color. These are people who want things to remain a certain way while the world they once knew is slipping away from them. So along comes Donald

Trump and his promise to “make America great again.” Of course, we know what that means. Hillary Clinton called it as it is when she referred to half of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables” who are “racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic you name it.” Perhaps she shouldn’t have tried to be so specific. Is it closer to 30 percent? Maybe 60 percent? Does it really matter? Even if it’s 80 percent, most Trump supporters will convince themselves that they’re in the 20 percent who are voting for Trump because of his position on free trade or they like his hair. Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke isn’t a Trump supporter because of his racist rhetoric, but because they share common ground on global

warming. Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence refused to use the word “deplorable” to describe Duke because white supremacist groups, the KKK, skin heads, etc., are now officially part of the GOP’s big tent and Republicans aren’t about to kick them out if they want any chance of winning the presidential election in November. That’s deplorable. Kansas Republicans have shown their willingness to enter into a pact with the devil - either because of party loyalty or because character is no longer an important quality in their political candidates. “Hillary Clinton has shown her outright contempt for ordinary people by referring to millions of Americans as ‘deplorables’ and ‘irredeemable,’” says Kelly Arnold, the self-righteous chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. Clinton condemns racists and bigots and the party who wants to create a home for them, and yet Arnold whines that mil-

lions of Trump supporters who seemingly fall into those categories are the real victims. If being a party that turns a blind eye to racists and white supremacists isn’t deplorable, then please share with us a better description. It’s apparent there is a huge chasm separating how our two major political parties define deplorable behavior. We could start with how Gov. Sam Brownback and ultraconservatives in the Kansas Legislature have cut funding for early childhood programs, they have cut assistance to poor families and they have cut funding that allows senior citizens to remain in their homes rather than moving into a nursing home. We would call these actions fiscally irresponsible and socially deplorable. Perhaps Kelly Arnold, being the expert wordsmith he is, could come up with a different word. Trump refers to illegal immigrants from Mexico as drug dealers and rap(See POLITICS on page six)

Don’t reward incompetence

When Kansas lawmakers threw out the state’s finance formula for K-12 public education in 2015, they claimed it was too difficult to understand. We also believe it was an attempt to avoid judicial rulings that had stated without suitable funding, that formula was unconstitutionally denying students adequate and equitable access to education. The plan of attack, which was guided by Gov. Sam Brownback and a small handful of legislative leaders, but had the support of the majority conservative Republican bloc, has been haphazard at best. Without any specific idea about how to replace the formula, legislators approved a block grant system that would be a temporary solution for two years while a new

Where to Write

another view by Patrick Lowry

one was devised. In the meantime, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the block grant solution unconstitutional as well. Legislators had to be called in for a special session earlier this year to satisfy the equity question. The adequacy component, which the courts consistently have ruled won’t be satisfied until lawmakers restore funding to levels they themselves established years ago, still is pending a final ruling from the state’s highest court. Estimates of how much more is required range from $500 million to $1 billion - annually. Even absent that ruling, the block grant for-

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

mula will expire in 2017. Brownback recently called on educators and civic organizations to submit ideas about how to develop a new education formula. The input is supposed to be emailed to the governor’s office by the end of November. While we at The Hays Daily News usually would applaud public feedback, particularly when concerning the state’s single largest expense item, we find ourselves even more convinced the state’s elected leaders simply have no idea what they are doing. Nobody, particularly educators, believed the old finance formula was inadequate. The only problem was lawmakers’ commitment to paying its bills. We believe the governor’s latest request for

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

public input insincere and designed to take pressure off lawmakers facing tough re-election races Nov. 8. It is a diversionary tactic incumbents can hide behind while pretending they are doing something positive for the state’s almost half-a-million kids enrolled in public schools. Lawmakers who voted this education funding trainwreck into motion are no closer to having a solution than they were two years ago. They consistently have ignored judicial rulings, input from educators and advice from unbiased economists. When constitutionally prescribed duties regularly are handed over to the governor - the most unpopular governor in the nation who no longer is accountable to voters because of term limits (See REWARD on page 6)

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

a double-standard

The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

We left Clinton no choice but to hide her pneumonia She didn’t want to say she was sick. Hillary Clinton, that is, who recently has suffered coughing fits followed Sunday by a near-collapse during New York’s 9/11 memorial ceremony. She left the ceremony early, claiming overheatedness, and appeared to weave, lose her footing and pitch forward as she approached her car, as captured on a cellphone video. Later in the day, Clinton’s campaign announced that the Democratic candidate has pneumonia. Most by now are familiar with the fallout - speculation about her health, concerns about her transparency in not reporting her illness sooner - all amid the furor over Clinton’s weird comment at a fundraiser about half of Donald Trump’s followers belonging in a “basket of deplorables.” Say what?

behind the headlines

by Kathleen Parker

Other than being one of the strangest combinations of words ever uttered, where did Clinton come up with such verbiage? Here’s the partial quote in question: “You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic - you name it.” Since when does she like to use such words, which don’t sound at all like Clinton? She’s too studied and cautious to randomly toss out a phrase that, in addition to being offensive and inevitably problematic, has a somewhat poetic edge. A-tisket, a-tasket, are those deplorables in your basket? Perhaps the phrase, certain to become a campaign metaphor for “uh-oh,” evolved during a brainstorming session with folks who wouldn’t dare censor their boss: Basket of deplorables, hilarious! OMG, you should use that!

Clinton’s basket may as well have been delivered to Trump with a bottle of champagne and a bow. As she began apologizing for speaking too broadly about too many Americans - suffering the inevitable comparison to Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” - Trump glided along the unfamiliar terrain of the high road. Rather than harp on the already popular trope that Clinton isn’t physically strong enough to be president, he said he hopes she recovers soon so that they can meet in debate. About this, Trump didn’t have to feign sincerity, figuring he’d have a better shot at defeating Clinton than he would Joe Biden, Tim Kaine or some other sudden substitute. But mainly, he calculated - or had been instructed - that attacking a woman when she was literally down would get him nowhere. Then again, it’s hardly necessary to point out Clinton’s physical frailties, temporary though they are, when the woman is so plainly suffering. Replay after replay shows the coughing fit and then the weave-and-bob of her 9/11 episode. (See STANDARD on page seven)

USPS is delivering ‘mail by the pail’ by Jim Hightower

Although most of us take it for granted, America’s postal service is an amazing bargain. Buy one 48-cent stamp, and postal workers will deliver your envelope to any address in the country by plane, train, bus, boat, truck, car, bike, pushcart, mule, on-foot, - or, all of the above. But, to really get your money’s worth, mail something to someone in this zip code: 48222. That’s the only floating zip code in the U.S. It’s a 45-foot mail boat that has been a registered U.S. Post Office since 1948. Named the J.W. Westcott II, this postal boat is the mail box for

crew members working aboard the giant freighters hauling grain, iron ore and other commodities across the five great lakes. Except for loading at one port, then unloading hundreds of miles away, these long-haul merchant ships never stop, with crews stuck on board for weeks. So the Westcott, based near Detroit, chugs out to deliver letters and packages as each of the freighters passes by. The skilled pilots of the mail boat maneuver it right up against a steep steel side of the moving freight vessels, keeping perfect pace with the big ships’ speed. Then, in a very low-tech (but highlyefficient) delivery technique, someone

on the freighter lowers a bucket tied to a rope down to the Westcott. The mail boat pilot puts a bag of letters and packages addressed to people on that ship into the bucket, which is pulled back up, and then the little boat peels away from the freighter. Now that’s service! The official motto of the 48222 zip code is “mail by the pail.” It’s all part of our public Post Office’s amazing commitment to deliver service to all - not just to the rich and the easy-to-reach. To learn more - and to fight schemes by corporate profiteers to privatize and downsize this public service - go to www.AGrandAlliance.org. Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker and author

demanding answers

Trump should no longer be allowed to plead the Fifth

When the issue of the presidential candidates’ health suddenly became urgent a few days ago, the Trump campaign announced that Donald Trump had recently had a physical, and he’d be releasing the results. “When the numbers come in, I’ll be releasing very specific numbers,” he said. Then his campaign said that they’d be giving his medical records to Dr. Mehmet Oz, who would discuss them with Trump during an appearance on his television show. Then Dr. Oz said he might not probe too deeply with Trump (“I’m not going to ask him questions he doesn’t want to have answered”), and lo and behold, the campaign said that he and Dr. Oz were actually just going to chat about wellness ‘n stuff.

other voices by Paul Waldman

When will we be getting Trump’s actual medical records? “Shortly,” they said. And “soon.” It’s now being reported that at the taping, Trump handed Oz a one-page summary of his exam, prepared by the raffish Dr. Bornstein. Coming from him, I imagine it included testimonials to Trump’s superhuman strength and sexual magnetism. But, if you’re waiting for anything like a complete medical history on Trump, I wouldn’t hold your breath. I say that because we’ve seen this many times before. There’s some policy plan or personal information about Trump that reporters are asking for, his campaign promises that it’ll be released very soon, then the press’ attention moves on to other things, and the campaign never delivers. That’s what will probably happen here too.

This is how Donald Trump deals with stories he doesn’t like: He either says he’ll answer at some later date, or just refuses to answer entirely, knowing that eventually, people will stop asking. Think about his tax returns. At first Trump promised he would release his returns. “I have everything all approved, and very beautiful, and we’ll be working that over in the next period of time,” he said in January. Pressed on exactly when that might be, he said, “At the appropriate time, you’ll be very satisfied.” Then he said he’d release them if Hillary Clinton released her personal emails. But “the appropriate time” turned out to be never, making Trump the first nominee since the 1970s not to release his returns. This isn’t something trivial - in fact, there has never been a nominee whose tax returns we needed to see more than we do Donald Trump’s. He has a (See ANSWERS on page six)

Anti-pipeline movement is gaining momentum by Chuck Collins

Thousands of Native Americans at Standing Rock in North Dakota are protesting a pipeline project that puts their water supply at risk, threatens to plow up their sacred sites, and would worsen climate change. Big gas Their rallying is desperate echoes hundreds of to get their local struggles across cheap shale the U.S. that ques- gas to global tion the prudence, export tersafety, and necessity minals - and they’ve dug of thousands of new up millions gas pipeline projects. of backyards The gas industry to do it. tells us these proj- Fortunately for the indusects promote energy try, they have independence and a subservient meet local gas needs. federal agenBut, the driving force cy that grants behind most of these them the power of emibillion dollar infra- nent domain structure projects? to take those backyards. Gas export. Big gas is desperate to get their cheap shale gas to global export terminals - and they’ve dug up millions of backyards to do it. Fortunately for the industry, they have a subservient federal agency that grants them the power of eminent domain to take those backyards. The anti-pipeline movement brings together mayors, state officials, and engaged neighbors concerned about health and safety, unnecessary rate increases, and the environmental irresponsibility of constructing new fossil fuel infrastructure. They’re fed up with a system that allows the profits of private energy corporations to override local concerns and dictate our future. Many politicians remain stuck in the “gas as a bridge fuel” perspective. But, growing scientific evidence shows that methane from gas extraction and transportation poses a greater short-term climate change risk than burning carbon fuels like coal and oil. We should be rapidly shifting away from all new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, and investing in fixing existing gas leaks and using renewable energy like wind, hydro, and solar. This shift will create millions of high-paying jobs in the new energy economy. The anti-pipeline movement is gathering steam. Residents have mobilized to stop pipeline projects in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and have stalled others in Kentucky. But, not all anti-pipeline efforts have been successful. In the Boston neighborhood of West Roxbury, residents have vigorously opposed a high-pressure pipeline that arcs into the heart of a densely populated neighborhood and terminates across from an active blasting quarry. All of Boston’s elected officials unanimously oppose this project - but big business is still winning. The Texas-based Spectra Energy sued the city and took their streets by eminent domain. The city of Boston is still trying to block the project in court, but construction is almost complete. In the last year, almost 200 neighbors and religious leaders have been arrested for blocking construction. How is this possible in a democratic society? (See PIPELINE on page six)

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • September 15, 2016

Kobach’s loss is a victory for Kansas voters residents to prove they are U.S. citizens when using a federal form to register to vote. Earlier this year, the often-smug Kobach had assured people that the courts would uphold his attempt to make it harder to vote. But, that hasn’t happened at any step of the way, as courts often have ruled against Kobach’s disdainful attitude toward voters - especially those who have low incomes or are minorities.

Yael Abouhalkah

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has suffered another stinging, embarrassing loss in court. And that’s a victory for the rights of voters in the Sunflower State. Kobach’s anti-voter efforts were slapped down Friday by a federal appeals court in the District of Columbia. In a preliminary injunction, the court said Kansas, Georgia and Alabama couldn’t require

Answers large business with hundreds of partnerships and entanglements throughout the world, which raise the potential for all kinds of conflicts of interest. Today Newsweek released an investigation by reporter Kurt Eichenwald of some of these overseas activities, which brings home just how important it is to know exactly what Trump is involved in: “ . . . the Trump family rakes in untold millions of dollars from the Trump Organization every year. Much of that comes from deals with international financiers and developers, many of whom have been tied to controversial and even illegal activities,” according to the article. Trump’s business conflicts with America’s national security interests cannot be resolved so long

Friday’s decision also was a rebuke to the actions taken by Brian Newby, the executive director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Newby is a former Johnson County Election Office director who was appointed to that role by Kobach. After Newby took office, he suddenly (and without commission approval) did something Kobach supports. That was to basically require people to show proof of citizenship when register-

ing to vote with the federal form. But, that is not required under U.S. law, one reason the Justice Department is not defending Newby in lawsuits against his actions. When the League of Women Voters and others raised objections, Alabama and Georgia did not enforce Newby’s new requirement. But, Kobach and Kansas tried to, leading to further legal battles. The Associated Press reported that Friday’s rul-

ing says the three states need to “immediately remove the proof-of-citizenship requirement from all forms. It requires the states to treat all registration applications filed since January 29 as if they did not have the requirement.” That should mean voters will be able to take part in the presidential election in November. This is a positive outcome. Kobach has proven to be pretty much a failed,

pathetic figure in his attempts to make it more difficult to vote in the Sunflower State. He has forced Kansas taxpayers to support these unnecessary ventures, all while muddying the waters for voters. As long as Kobach stays losing, though, it appears voters’ rights will keep winning in Kansas.

think of, published story after story and filled hour after hour of cable discussions about it, all of which created enormous pressure on Clinton to be as forthcoming as possible. The Clinton campaign has promised that they’re going to release more detailed records about her health, and they’re going to follow through, because they know that if they didn’t there would be a storm of criticism from the media about how secretive she’s being. The Trump campaign, on the other hand, probably thinks they can just wait it out, when it comes to his medical records or foreign business deals or anything else, because they’ve seen it before. They’ve watched as we devoted enormous amounts of critical attention to the Clinton

Foundation, which actually does a tremendous amount of good in the world, while we all but ignored the Trump Foundation, which appears to be little more than an outright scam set up for the purpose of getting other people to pay for giant paintings of Donald Trump and allowing Trump to charge genuine charities to use Mar-a-Lago for events at which they honor him for donations he didn’t actually give them. Were it not for the heroic efforts of the Washington Post’s David Fahrenthold, we’d never know anything about it, because most news organizations just weren’t asking. Similarly, it’s unbelievable that it’s the middle of September and just now people are finally wonder-

ing whether Trump’s intricate web of foreign enterprises might be problematic if he were to become president. So that needs to be investigated too, down to the last detail, so we know exactly what all his interests are and how they might affect American foreign policy and national security. There are a hundred reporters who have spent the last three days trying to determine if Hillary Clinton ever had a hangnail. At least that much energy should be put into finding out what we need to know about Donald Trump. It should have happened a long time ago, but it’s not too late.

(continued from page five)

as he or any member of his family maintains a financial interest in the Trump Organization during a Trump administration, or even if they leave open the possibility of returning to the company later. The Trump Organization cannot be placed into a blind trust, an arrangement used by many politicians to prevent them from knowing their financial interests; the Trump family is already aware of who their overseas partners are and could easily learn about any new ones. The article has lots of detail, showing that Trump and his family have a direct financial interest in many places where his decisions as president could shape events. He has said he’ll just step away from his company and let his kids run it while he’s president,

which doesn’t even begin to address the conflicts of interest at work. The fact that Trump thinks he can get away with this lack of disclosure, and we’ll just take his word for it that everything’s cool and there’s nothing to worry about, is absolutely astonishing. What’s worse is that that’s exactly what has happened up until now. So what should we do? We in the media should treat these stories about Trump the way we treated the story of Hillary Clinton’s pneumonia. When she got lightheaded and stumbled three days ago at that 9/11 commemoration, every major news organization swung into action. They assigned multiple reporters to the story, had them out investigating every aspect of it they could

Unconscious Clint more qualified than Trump by Andy Borowitz

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) - In a positive development for the Democratic nominee for President, a new poll released on Sunday reveals that likely voters find an unconscious Hillary Clinton “substantially more fit” to be President than a conscious Donald Trump. In a hypothetical matchup between a Clinton who has been

Politics ists. That’s a deplorable way to characterize the millions of people who while here illegally - are simply trying to make a better life for themselves. When an individual makes a grand show of saying that he’s given tens of millions of dollars to charitable organizations and veterans’ groups, but there are five known instances (and probably more) of those donations never taking place . . . that’s deplorable behavior. When an individual uses a charitable foundation as a personal bank account (e.g., $12,000

Yael Abouhalkah is a columnist for the Kansas City Star. He can be reached at abouhalkah@kcstar.com

rendered completely unconscious and a fully sentient Trump, voters chose an inert Clinton over an ambulatory Trump by a margin of nine percentage points. A spokesperson for the Clinton campaign hailed the findings. “We have every reason to believe that Hillary Clinton will be a fully conscious President,” the spokesperson said. “But, even if she is not, she is still the far better choice.”

The same poll revealed that a broad majority of voters found an unconscious Donald Trump more fit to be President than a conscious one. Finally, when asked about the Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson, a significant number of voters were undecided as to whether Johnson was conscious or unconscious. Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

(continued from page four)

for a Tim Tebow autographed football helmet) or as a bribe to state officials (e.g., $25,000 to the Florida attorney general which coincidentally led to her decision not to join a lawsuit against Trump University) . . . that’s deplorable - and illegal. When an individual creates a “university” out of thin air and bilks unsuspecting people of millions of dollars by promising to turn them into real estate tycoons . . . that’s deplorable. When a U.S. presidential candidate praises the so-called political

strength of an authoritarian leader such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, that’s more than deplorable . . . that’s dangerous. But, that’s only the beginning. Even more deplorable is Trump’s inability to formulate intelligent thought on immigration, the economy, health care or foreign policy. What’s deplorable is that, for millions of Americans, it doesn’t matter. “Make America Great Again” covers all of Trump’s policy positions. Furthermore, the ability of American voters to

Support your hometown merchants!

comprehend important issues or our willingness to debate these issues seriously speaks to the deplorable state of politics in this nation. And when a major political party stands behind this individual as a man of character who is worthy of following in the footsteps of Washington, Madison, Lincoln or Roosevelt (both) it’s a disservice to what this nation stands for and to those who sacrificed to preserve our democracy. It’s deplorable. Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

Paul Waldman is a senior writer at The American Prospect

Reward those currently holding seats in the Senate and House have no clue about what to do. Kansas voters need to pay close attention to which lawmakers are allowed to return to Topeka in January. Every incumbent, regardless of

(continued from page four)

party, who has been complicit in the K-12 finance formula debacle does not merit re-election. As the fictional Forrest Gump used to say: “Stupid is as stupid does.” Patrick Lowry is editor of the Hays Daily News

Pipeline The answer lies with a little-known and unaccountable agency called the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under the Gas Act of 1938, FERC may grant private corporations the power of eminent domain over local jurisdictions. Maybe this was necessary in 1938 to build a modern energy system. But today, we need an energy agency that’ll balance a wider set of considerations, not just the interests of a politically powerful gas industry. In the last few years, FERC has rubber-stamped just about every project the natural gas industry has sought to build. These include high-pressure pipelines running next to nuclear power plants,

(continued from page five)

across fragile water supplies, and across traditional Native American lands. In the words of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FERC is a “rogue agency.” The U.S. Senate should convene oversight hearings to examine FERC overreach. Congress must modernize the Gas Act to protect communities and reduce carbon and methane emissions. And an independent agency should assess our nation’s real energy needs. Decisions about our energy future shouldn’t revolve around a selfinterested gas industry and investor-owned utilities. For the sake of the planet and our democracy, other voices must be at the table. Chuck Collins is a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Standard Anchors and commentators hit auto-pundit to produce the question du jour: Can this woman handle the presidency? Please. This woman has a bad cold. She needs rest. She’ll be fine. It’s time to cut through the noise and focus on what really matters to Americans this year. Another question also arose, at least in many women’s minds: Would anyone ask the same question about a man under similar circumstances? Here’s the more pertinent question: Why do women

(continued from page five)

feel they can’t admit to being sick? You know the answer. It’s because women fear showing any sign of weakness lest others presume the worst that she’s not as good as a man. As the weaker sex, which is only true as concerns upper-body muscle mass (about 40 percent less) and significantly less testosterone (hence less invading, marauding and pillaging), women tend to hide anything that might suggest “weaker sex.” This is absurd on its face,

but it also happens to be true. Thus, Clinton soldiered on, trying to keep to schedule despite probably feeling awful, and paid a high price for denial. Her silence about the pneumonia wasn’t so much a lack of transparency, as news-gazers have extrapolated, as it was a valiant attempt to stay the course and preclude exactly what happened. People began to wonder about her health. Critics found it easy to conclude: She’s weak; she’s frail; she’s a woman, after all.

When did it become a liability to be sick, which all of us are from time to time? For women, it began when they entered the male-dominated workplace en masse a generation ago and worked twice as hard to be as good as a man. This likely is why Clinton would rather suffer in silence than endure further scrutiny about her ability to serve - a deplorable reality deserving of its own basket. Kathleen Parker is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist who writes on politics and culture

872-2090

September We’re here for you

872-5328 Sunday

Monday

18 Attend the Church of Your Choice

Chamber of Commerce Catfish Tourn., Lake Scott

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

Tuesday

19 SCHS JV Fball, Cimarron(T), 6:00 p.m. SCHS V Tennis Inv., 9:00 a.m. SCHS V Golf, Colby (T), 1:00 p.m.

No charge for community events

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

SCHS Lifetouch Pictures SCMS PIcture Day

Autumn Begins

SCHS JV Tennis, Liberal (T), 3:00 p.m.

SCHS Golf, Buffalo Dunes (T), 1:00 p.m.

SCHS Community Public Square Meeting, Commons, 6:00 p.m.

SCMS Fball, Hoisington (H), 4:00 p.m.

23 SCHS Fball, Hugoton (T), 7:00 p.m.

SCMS Vball, Goodland (T), 4:30 p.m.

SCHS JV Tennis, Hoisington (T), 3:00 p.m.

Saturday

SCHS Vball, LaCrosse (H), 5:00 p.m.

24 SCHS KSU Band Day, Manhattan SCMS XC, Stanton Co. (T), 9:00 a.m. SCHS XC, Stanton Co. (T), 9:00 a.m. SCHS JV Vball Tourn., Great Bend (T), 9:00 a.m.

SCMS Vball, Dodge City (T), 4:00 p.m. City Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

19 25

26 27 ES Site Council Mtg. SCMS Vball @ Holcomb

30 29 SCHS Golf @ Syracuse SCHS Fball vs. Ulysses

Billy Allen Products, Inc. The complete

HORSE FEED

207 E. Bellevue Scott City 872-2111

with quality ingredients and consistency guaranteed with every sack.

Box 460 • Scott City

872-2778

The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Saturday

September 24 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Patton Park Sponsored by

Alpha Omega, ESA

What is a Whimmydiddle? If you look up whimmydiddle in the dictionary, the chances are pretty good that you will not find the word listed. What is a whimmydiddle? It is an Appalachian wooden toy that whirls around with the wind. Around these parts, and many of the surrounding areas, it is also a huge event that is greatly anticipated all year long. The Whimmydiddle Arts and Crafts Festival started on a side street in Scott City in 1972. The move to the city park became necessary when the festival outgrew the courthouse lawn area. There will be a wide variety of food offered throughout the day. Alpha Omega, a chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, became sponsors of the annual event in 1979. This is a very large fund-raising event for the sorority, and with the booth rent they support many charities throughout the year. All items sold must be original and handmade by the person exhibiting. Exhibitors come from many states. Shoppers travel many miles to make the annual event and a great deal of Christmas shopping is done at the Whimmydiddle. The date for the Whimmydiddle is always the last Saturday in September. Many of the exhibitors state that the Whimmydiddle is the best craft show they have ever attended. These people always reserve the last Saturday in September because they don't want to miss this quality show. Maps will be available at the shelter house which serves as the headquarters for Alpha Omega.

More than 150 Exhibitors and Food Vendors! American Implement 807 N. Main (620) 872-7244 (800) 779-7244

Spud’s Hunting & Fishing 323 Main (620) 872-5667

Rodenbeek & Green Agency

Bartlett Grain

Sonic Drive-In

Dec-Mart Furniture

601 S. Main (620) 872-5803

1720 S. Main (620) 874-9655

MTM Siding & Glass 1130 W. Highway 96 (620) 872-2315

305 W. Bellevue (620) 872-3456

408 S. Main (620) 872-2449

Renee A. Cure, CPA 1103 Viola Ave. (620) 872-5016 cureoak@aol.com

Z Bottling Corp. 907 W. 5th St. (620) 872-0100

JF Beaver Advertising

ProHealth Chiropractic Wellness Center 110 W. 4th St. (620) 872-2310

Winter Family Dentistry

514 S. Main (620) 872-2395

130 E. Road 140 (620) 872-8996 www.wfd@wbsnet.org

Berning Auction

Suzy B’s Flowers and More

Leoti (620) 375-4130

First National Bank 501 S. Main (620) 872-2143 Member FDIC

901 W. 5th St. (620) 872-5336

Wendy’s

1502 S. Main (620) 872-7288

The Scott County Record • Page 9 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

2016 Whimmydiddle Exhibitors and Sponsors Welcome the more than 150 vendors to Scott City! New vendors to this year’s Whimmydiddle are listed in BOLD.

Exhibitor Name

Connie Albin Jesse Janes Designs by L Paula’s Pieces Angelbee’s Wood P & L Enterprises/Gourmet Farms of CO Designs on Signs Sawdust Dreams Seven and a Half Sisters Pot Pals Pottery Monica’s Menagerie Cute As A Button Sawdust & Stitches Mutton Hollow Herb Farm JAM’s By Judy/JR’s Food Service Whims Kay’s Krafts Debbie Hayes Onita Pond B & PJ Silver Gail Korf Pitter-Patter-Creation Ike’s Place Little A This Little A That A Wild Hair Finishing Touches R Litson Leathercraft The Added Touch, LLC Memories of Home LLC R Designs Simply Kmazing Bling This Glitz That SandSinc Keepsake Art, LLC Stitch N Knitwits Holmes Made Salsa Styria Bakery II Fox’s Crafts Deer Land Delights LLC Country Sudz Rughooking 101 & Applique JR Designs M&M’s Purses Diana McDaniel Prairie Song Diamond K Leather Country Chic Creations By NJV Picture the Words Photography In A Reverie Studio Linda or Leroy Hetrick Babylee By Steph I Wish I Knew….. Kasey’s Kreations Norenwood Scampering Friends Creations On The Move Vinyl Graphics Creations Blackhorse Creations Mojaxs Nuts & Treats Bash Brothers BBQ, LLC Initial It! Designs Kat’s Kitchen Timeless Trees Trendy Trunk Katie’s Doll Closet Joe’s Little Nut Co. Harvest Of Crafts Handmade See Wood N Things/3Phase Laser Lanterns & More by CC Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery The Country Oven Schaffer Furniture The Chicken Coop Praisin’ Art K’Dee’s Creations, All Things Useful Wayne’s Wood Shop Cogolfing

Booth

Connie Albin 1-2 Cheryl Womack 3 Bob and Linda Gaines 4-5 Paula Vandenberg White 6 Becky Delimont 7 Lori Miller 8 Grace Giesbrecht 9 Don Bortell 10 Patricia Becker 11 Cheryl Steinert 12 Monica Wagner 13-14 Kerri Traynor 15-16 Jon Howard 17-18 Gerald and Linda Berthot 19 Ludy Laurie 20 Patti Gookin 21 Kay Erickson 22-23 Debbie Hayes 24 Onita Pond 25 Connie Bentjen 26 Gail Korf 27-28 Maria E. Rubalcave 29-30 Ruthy Grinstead 31 Lynne Quint 32 Shari Thomas 33 Bob Litson 34-35 April Turner 36 Debbie Futhey 37 Richard Ricketts 38 Kamille Ratzlaff 39 Marcia Hahn 40 Sue Crowl 42 Mary Lee 43 Martin Enfoeld 44-45 Tricia Holmes 46 Shannon Campbell 47-48 Fox Still 49-50 Rockie Hawley 51 Gwen Urban 52 Vivian Michel 53 Bob or Jane Roulston 54 Mitze Befort 55-56 Diana McDaniel 57 Kenneth Bontrager 58 David Knepp 59 Sandra Myers 60 Nancy Vaughn 61 Cara Drag 62 Shelley L. Lelfridge 63 Linda or Leroy Hetrick 64-65 Stephanie Lee 66 Sharon Bearden 67 Kasey Robinson 68 Charlene Norvil 70-71 Mary Klinge 72 Dee Post or Arlene Neff 73 Becky Fisher 74 Laura Blackhorse-Christie 75 Jeremy Henderson 77 Chris Halloray 80 Steven Gellenbeck 81 Donald Rice 82-83 Tammy Withrow 84-85 Lisa Lobile 86 Katie Herrick 88 Craig Hawkinson 89 Kathleen Kirkland 90 Mike See 93-94 Cindi Cole 95 Brock Ebert 97 Ashlyn Nightengale 98-99, 186 Zack Schaffer 100 Tiffany Harmon 101 Kristin Johnson 102 Julie Rork or K’Dee Hommertzheim 103-104 Kenneth W. Dunn 105-106 Betty-Lou Moon 107

Bahama Mama – Shaved Ice

Capones Famous Shaved Ice – Shaved Ice, Lemonade and Cherry Limeade

112 W. 3rd St. (620) 872-5374

LaFiesta

109 E. Park Lane (620) 872-2777

KD Accounting & Tax Services (620) 872-5061 kdats@pld.com

Compass Behavioral Health

Great Western Tire

Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce

Price & Sons Funeral Home

204 S. College (620) 872-5338

113 E. 5th St. (620) 872-3525

108 109-110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118-119 120 121 122 123-124 125 126-127 128 129-130 131 132 133 134-135 137-138 144 146-147 148-149 150 151 152 153 154 155-157 158 159 160-162 163 164-165 166-168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176-179 183 184 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 196 197 198-199 200 201 202-203 204-205 207 208 209 210 211-212 214-215 216-217 218-219 220 221-222 223 224 225 226

Cowboy Kettle Corn – Kettle Corn

Keltner’s Concessions – Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Smoked Sausage and Veggie Gyros

Michael Trout State Farm

Booth

Kelley’s Festival Foods – Kettle Corn, Turkey Legs, Pulled Pork, Roasted Corn, Cheesecake on a Stick

Casa de Vallejo – Beef, Chicken and Pork Tacos

1610 S. Main (620) 872-7373

Palla Orken Lang Sandra Blake Janet Goodman Dan Wishon Lisa Emberton Karen Stevens Theresa Parsons Tonya Miller Maradith Molstad Joanne Genrich Tamara Glase Bert Nikkel Angie Berens Lynn Kaiser Sheila VonLeonrod Jimmy and Sue Fuller Godwin Uloho Bryant Briggs JoAnn Wells Barbara and Todd Stanfield Jeff Warburton Don or Carrie Driver Ken and Geneva Beckman Stephanie Titus Chad Stroup/Judy Stroup Cyndi Jackson Delma Gerberding Sami J. Randle Theresa Grady Debra Gerard Steve and Carol Ashley Jerrie Jones Tom and Mary Ewing Stacey Golden Joyce Chord Sharon Schwartz Rachel Janzen Theresa Weigel Bill Bunting Crystal Vette Maegan Berry Tim Legleiter Roxie Halpin Jill Brantley Miriam Peregrino Steve Ellsworth Randy Altman Shelby Wheatley Jim Fetty Daniel Dirks Lauren Speer Lauren Speer Sue Appelhaus Mark and Bambi Freeman Ron or Connie Hopkins Sheila Demoret Beverly Jacobson Diane Finkenbinder Guy Stewart Lauren and Lisa Engelken Eva Louise Buell Patricia Petz Debra Williams Bob and Carol Kramer Michael Eckert Linda Finley Jolene Katz Paulette Seib Dan and Lori Leckner Taney Browning Virginia Procter Gary Megilligan Cindy Becker Marty Evans Arlene Schale Brenda Jordan Jaclyn Foster

Whimmydiddle Food Vendors

Becky’s Bierocks – Bierocks

Best Western El Quartelejo Inn & Suites

Exhibitor Name

Palla’s Old Fashioned Glazed Nuts Russell and Sandra Blake “Made It” Dan Wishon Art Darby Dog Designz AandIWear.com Theresa Parsons Custom Sewing By Tonya Pink Ribbon Pottery L & J Crafts Bourgeois Gypsy Bert’s Rustic Creations Offerings LLC Kaiser’s Carvings Simply Sheila J & L Swings and Things Alpha Group 2-B-Restored Creations By JoAnn Inchantables J & L Crafts Double D Wood Crafters K & G Country Crafts Laura Stephie Uniquely Handmade Judy’s Crafts Country Bumpkins Country Keepsakes Sami J. Randle T’s Jewelry Sticky Spoons Jelly Stoneware Pottery by Steve Ashley Small Town Girls Crafts & Bakery Cottonwood Cottage Golden Designs Dakot Crafts Kidstuff Unique Products Theresa’s Three Feathers Creations By Crystal Wonderfully You Humble Beginnings What’s Cookin J B Boutique Miriam’s Creations Oak Reflections Flying Eagle Designs Footprints On The Heart Wooden Feathers Saw Some Awesome Outdoor Furniture Speer Creations Lauren Speer Face Painting Buckbrush & Bittersweet Freeman Pottery Windy Plains Honey Country Barn Candle Company Little Girls M&D Crafts Guy Stewart Little Snouts Studio Eva Louise Buell Pat’s Magnetic Jewelry Deb’s Craftwear Carol’s Birdhouses Antler Addiction Quilting Friends This Is It by Jolene Bits & Pieces by Paulette Plan B Designs Browning Goodies Nana’s Creations Clay Concepts Tadpole Creek Creations Crazy Lady Schale Company Brenda’s Satin & Fleece Foster Designs

1503 S. Main (620) 872-3393

401 S. Washington (620) 872-2116

Palla’s Funnel Cakes – Hamburgers, Nachos, Funnel Cakes Divine Dips Homemade Ice Cream – Ice Cream

Love’s Travel Stop – Hamburgers, Pulled Pork, Hotdogs

Turner Sheet Metal

Dairy Queen

The Rec (Pool Hall)

Faurot Heating & Cooling

318 S. Main

910 W. 5th St. (620) 872-3508

Scott County Hospital

Safemark

1851 S. Main, US Highway 83 (620) 872-2954

201 Albert Avenue (620) 872-5811

Heartland Foods 1314 S. Main (620) 872-5854

1211 Main (620) 872-3215

909 W. 5th St. (620) 872-5747

Spencer Pest Control 200 E. Road 140 (620) 872-2870

Hospital year as an opportunity to invest in our people and try to relieve them of some workload. Our people had been stretched pretty thin the last couple of years and we were in position to do something about it.” As a result, hospital income fell slightly short of the $28 million which had been projected at the start of the fiscal year. Aggressive Budget After using this past year as a chance to “catch up” on staffing, Burnett says the current year’s budget is more aggressive. Patient revenue has been projected at a recordsetting $30 million. Having built up the local staff, it should relieve the hospital of spending as much money this year on traveling nurses and doctors. Joe Meyer, chief financial officer at the hospital, says that budget line item has been reduced by 32 percent. “We’re hoping to stabilize our staff,” Burnett says. The hospital CEO says that cuts in Medicaid reimbursement aren’t as severe locally as in some communities. He anticipates cuts at the state level will cost the hospital about $16,000. “We’re fortunate to have so many employers who provide insurance. That doesn’t happen in a lot of communities,” he explains.

The Scott County Record • Page 10 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

(continued from page one)

The bigger issue for the hospital is the growing number of people who have insurance, but have seen their deductible increase significantly. That means more outof-pocket expense for the individual - and less likelihood that the hospital will receive full reimbursement. Bad debts were $804,000 in 2015 and are budgeted at $880,000 in the current budget. Possible Expansion Burnett and Meyer are very optimistic about continued growth for the hospital, which will eventually mean that expansion of the clinic will need to be put on the table. “We have one new doctor who will be here next September and we are actively recruiting more,” Burnett says. Burnett says that the cost of expanding the clinic to the east is estimated at $4 million. If the current growth continues, that may need to be seriously considered in about two years. “If we hire two more doctors, we may have to push up that time table,” adds Meyer. Burnett emphasizes that when expansion does occur he won’t be taking a bond issue before taxpayers. He plans to pay for the project out of hospital revenue. “We made that pledge to taxpayers when we

SCH History of Gross Revenue, Salaries

2002

Total Payroll

Gross Revenue

$ 5,021,622

$ 9,126,331

You’re invited to a reception to celebrate

Hartley Berry’s 1st Birthday!

Thanks for following her journey ...

2003 5,272,233 10,212,842 2004 5,434,824 10,324,151 2005 5,590,859 10,638,864 2006 6,023,107 11,567,755 2007 6,294,410 13,060,743 2008 6,286,691 13,603,374 2009 6,746,576 15,007,463 2010 7,541,283 16,325,807 2011 7,929,012 17,406,630 2012 8,582,596 19,179,627 2013 10,163,959 22,365,571 2014 11,639,392 23,723,939 2015 12,468,011 26,172,473 2016

$ 13,470,168

$ 27,361,288

Total payroll includes employee benefits The hospital fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30

built this hospital. When it does happen it will be self-funded,” assured Burnett. Expansion would not only provide more clinic space for physicians, but also include the physical therapy department. “We have two occupational therapists who are creating more demand for space,” Meyer noted. “That department is seeing a lot of growth.” Two general surgeons are also coming to the hospital one day each month. “I’m optimistic about our growth and where we’re going,” says Burnett, who points out that the hospital has about 270 employees.

Sunday September 18 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Scott Community Golf Course Clubhouse 806 N. Main Scott City

Support Your Local Food Bank!

Tuesday, September 20 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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Business

The Scott County Record Page 11 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

New location triples the floor space for Scott County Hardware Judith Wright remembers a conversation with Scott County Hardware owner Kent Carmichael shortly after he opened the Scott City store on Nov. 1, 2010. “Five minutes after we were open we were looking across the highway and I told him, “Alco doesn’t own that building. What do you think?’” Six years later, Wright has her answer. While Carmichael was more than interested in the much larger location, it took an Alco bankruptcy and lengthy negotiations before Scott County Hardware could move into the 27,000 square foot building. Preparations for the move have been taking place all summer and the actual transfer of merchandise began last Friday. The store opened in its new location on Monday, but shelves are still being stocked and much more merchandise will be arriving over the next month.

(Top) Scott County Hardware store manager Judith Wright tells about the expanded lines of merchandise and display area available at their new location. (Right) Larry Richard stocks inventory in the plumbing aisle. (Record Photos)

“Six months after we opened we could see that the old store wasn’t going to be big enough,” noted Wright, who is the local manager. “Kent considered building another store, but this was the best option. We were patient and it finally happened.” Carmichael took possession of the new location in April and preparations for the move began soon afterwards. Since August, Wright says they had been operating out of the old location with a skeleton crew as employees were spending more time in the new site getting it ready. On Friday, they began moving merchandise with the help of employees and volunteers. They continued through Sunday. “We had about 35 people helping with the move,” says Wright. 3 Times the Space As one enters the new store the first thought may

be that they will never fill all this additional space. They have about tripled the size of their shopping area. Wright isn’t concerned. “We felt the same way when we first opened in the old store,” she recalls. “It didn’t take long before we were filled and needing more space. We have more merchandise arriving and it’s going to look a lot different over the next four or five weeks.” She warns customers that “nothing is where it was before. We’ve improved the layout so that it flows better.” For example, she says that the many customers doing household chores are looking for plumbing or electrical supplies. Those are now located on the south side of the store. Contractors can find most of what they commonly need on the north side of the main aisle. But, those aren’t the only changes.

The shelving in this location is a foot shorter, which should help most shoppers. Pointing to the large display of work gloves, store clerk Jodi Patton says most of them had been located at the top of the displays in the old store, putting them beyond the reach of many people. “Instead of asking for help, they’d just decide not to bother with getting any. Already we’ve been selling more gloves,” says Patton. “We’ve done things to make this store more shopper friendly.” More Merchandise Wright is particularly proud that they’ve been able to expand some lines of merchandise and are in the process of adding new items. The welding department, for example, has grown from an eight-foot area to 32 feet. They’ve added a new area with horse tack, supplies for showing and caring for

livestock, along with animal feed. Animal feed, says Wright, is in the back of the store where they also have carts to assist customers with moving and loading the product. Customers will find an expanded line of clothing that includes everything from dress shirts to boots. They will eventually be adding Wrangler jeans. The line of Science Diet dog food has been expanded and Blue Buffalo food will soon be arriving. “We’ve always responded to what the customers are asking for,” Wright says. “If we get a couple of requests for something, and we can order it without having to buy a huge quantity, we’ll do it. “I think that people will really like our new layout once they get used to it,” she adds. In the meantime, she offers one bit of advice. “If you can’t find something, ask us.”

For the Record Identity thieves target youth as well as adults The Scott County Record

Nathaniel Sillin

I’m sorry to report that child identity fraud is alive and well in 2014. If anything, the problem may be worsening as identity thieves devise new methods to steal - and use - children’s personal information. Most often, they’ll harvest kids’ dormant Social

The Scott County Record Page 12 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Security numbers (SSNs) and use them to illegally obtain jobs or open fraudulent bank and credit accounts, mortgages or car loans. Many victims don’t realize there’s a problem until they later apply for a student loan, bank account, job or apartment and are turned down because of the poor cred-

Scott County Commission Agenda Monday, September 19 County Courthouse 3:00 p.m. Approve Sept. 6 minutes Approve policy on weapons in the workplace Redemption of 2009 courthouse bonds 3:30 p.m. Scott County Sheriff Glenn Anderson Establish cash fund Implement new VINE program 4:00 p.m. Public Works Director Richard Cramer Agenda may change before the meeting. Contact County Clerk Alice Brokofsky for an updated agenda (872-2420) or visit www.scott.kansasgov.com

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Sept. 8, 2016; last published Thurs., Sept. 22, 2016)3t IN THE TWENTY-FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT, SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS CIVIL DEPARTMENT WASINGER BROTHERS, A GENERAL PARTNERSHIP plaintiff vs MELVINA W.KUEKER, and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, and assigns, of and deceased defendants; the unknown spouses of any defendants; the unknown officers, successors, trustees, creditors, and assigns, of any defendants that are existing, dissolved, or dormant corporations; the unknown executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, successors, and assigns of any defendants that are or were partners in a partnership; the unknown guardians, conservators, and trustees of any defendants that are minors, or are under any legal disability; and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, and assigns of any person alleged to be deceased defendants Case No. 2016-CV-000012 TITLE TO REAL ESTATE INVOLVED Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 60 NOTICE OF SUIT THE STATE OF KANSAS TO: Melvina W. Kueker and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors and assigns of any deceased defendants; the unknown spouses of any defendants; the unknown officers, successors, trustees, creditors and assigns of any defendants that are existing, dissolved or dormant corporations; the unknown executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors, successors and assigns of any defendants that are or were partners or in partnership; the unknown guardians, conservators and trustees of any defendants that are minors or are under any legal disability; and the unknown heirs, executors, administrators, devisees, trustees, creditors and assigns of any person alleged

to be deceased; and any other person or entity having or claiming an interest in the minerals in and under the following described real estate, to-wit: Southwest Quarter (SW/4) of Section 11, Township 20 South, Range 33 West of the Sixth P.M., Scott County, Kansas You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed in the District Court of Scott County, Kansas, by Wasinger Brothers, A General Partnership, praying for an order quieting the title to the following-described real estate, to-wit: Southwest Quarter (SW/4) of Section 11, Township 20 South, Range 33 West of the Sixth P.M., Scott County, Kansas the “subject land.” The Petition further seeks an order holding the plaintiff to be owner of the subject land burdened only by an undivided one-half (l/2) perpetual mineral interest owned by Hamlin Group 29, LLC, and holding the plaintiff to be the owner of the interests that may be claimed by said defendants in and to the subject lands; that the court determine the adverse claims of each of the defendants to any estate or interest therein; that the plaintiff’s title to the interests of said defendants in and to said real estate be quieted against the defendants and that said defendants and all persons claiming by, through or under them be forever barred and excluded from any estate or interest in or lien upon or claim against the said mineral estate, and for such other and further relief as plaintiff may be entitled to either in law or in equity, and you are hereby required to plead to the Petition on or before the 19th day of October, 2016, in this court at Scott County, Scott City, Kansas. If you fail to plead, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition. DEPEW, GILLEN, RATHBUN & McINTEER, LC 8301 East 21st St. North Suite 450 Wichita, Ks. 67206-2936 Office: (316) 262-4000 Fax: (316) 265-3819 Joseph A. Schremmer, #25968 Attorneys for Plaintiff

it history someone else racked up. Some families are even hounded by collection agencies or arrested because the debts or criminal activities were so extreme. There are no completely foolproof methods to protect your children’s identities, but here are some precautions you can take:

•While it’s tempting to simply not register your kids for SSNs until they turn 18, that’s not practical in today’s world. For one thing, they’ll need one to be claimed as dependents on your taxes. You may also need SSNs for your kids to obtain medical coverage or government services or to open bank accounts in

Scott City Council Agenda Monday, Sept. 19 • 7:30 p.m. City Hall • 221 W. 5th •Call to Order •Approve minutes of Sept. 6 regular meeting •Discuss “Step Up, LLC” ministry and zoning requirements in commercial district with Kyle Evans of First Baptist Church •Request for building inspectors to attend seminar in Dodge City •Discuss cost-sharing for employee participation in community wellness fair on Oct. 8 •Discussion of employee smoking policy while on duty •League of Kansas Municipality regional meeting in Scott City on Oct. 20 •Open agenda: audience is invited to voice ideas or concerns. A time limit may be requested Police Department 1) Misc. business

2) Will they accept alternative identification? 3) What will happen if you don’t disclose it? 4) What security precautions do they take with personal information? 5) Will they agree not to use the SSN as your child’s personal identification number on correspondence, account state(See IDENTITY on page 13)

USD 466 Board of Education Agenda Tuesday, September 20 • 6:00 p.m. Scott Community High School Special Meeting Working dinner and discussion with Scott County Vision Committees No action will be taken

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department Sept. 3: A report of a liquor violation was taken in the 100 block of East 4th Street. Sept. 6: Megan Paschall, 24, was arrested for domestic battery and transported to the LEC. Sept. 6: Chris Hahn, 28, was served a warrant from another county while in the LEC. Sept. 12: Araceli Perez, 24, was arrested for driving on a suspended license and speeding. He was transported to the LEC. Scott County Sheriff’s Department Aug. 30: Emmanuel Castillo-Quenzada was arrested for abuse of a child and transported to the LEC.

Public Notice

Parks Department 1) Misc. business Public Works Department 1) Misc. business Clerk’s Department 1) Request to attend KPERS designated agent workshop on Oct. 5 in Scott City •Financial and investment reports •Mayor’s comments

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Sept. 15, 2016; last published Thurs., Sept. 29, 2016)3t NOTICE OF VACANCY ON THE USD NO. 466 BOARD OF EDUCATION Notice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 25-2022 of a vacancy in the membership of the Board of Education of Unified School District No. 466, Scott County, Kansas, and that such vacancy will be filled by appointment of the Board of Education not sooner than fifteen (15) days following publication of this notice.

their names. Because each person’s SSN is unique, it’s not uncommon for schools, healthcare providers, insurance companies, banks and others to require them as ID. However, don’t be afraid to ask: 1) Why do they need to use a SSN? Is there a legal requirement?

The appointed member will serve until the next general school board election. Such vacancy exists by reasons of the resignation of Ben Taylor. By order of the Board of Education, Unified School District No. 466, Scott County, Kansas, this 12th day of September, 2016. District Patrons interested in filling the position should contact the USD 466 Central Office, 704 S. College Street, Phone 620-872-7600, for application procedures. Susan Carter, clerk Board of Education

(Published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Sept. 15, 2016)1t STATE OF KANSAS ORDER FOR CLOSING OF REGISTRATION BOOKS BEFORE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 2016 Pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 25-2311(c), notice is hereby given that on the 18th day of October, 2016, all voter registration books for the general election will close at the end of regular business hours. Registration books will remain closed until the 9th day of November, 2016. WITNESS MY HAND and the seal of my office this 9th day of September, A.D. 2016. Kris W. Kobach Secretary of State

The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

KDOT’s praise of highway system is misleading The Kansas Department of Transportation touted in a recent news release the percentage of the state’s highway in at least good condition and declared success by exceeding quality performance targets. However, Kansas Fact Meter finds portions of the statement from KDOT to be misleading. KDOT interim Secretary Richard Carlson pointed to the agency’s internal quality analysis showing 96.7 percent of interstate highway in Kansas was ranked good in the fiscal year ending in July. The quantity of non-interstate highway perceived to be in good

condition was 91.7 percent last fiscal year. “The performance scores are well above the targets for both interstate and non-interstate roads,” Carlson said. Gov. Sam Brownback, criticized for diverting more than $1 billion from KDOT to cover years of budget shortfalls, praised Kansas’ “high-performing roads.” “Kansas has a history of outstanding roads and I’m proud to continue that tradition,” he said. However, the portion of interstate in Kansas rated as good actually declined from 97.7 percent in the 2015 survey, according to information previously

Identity ments or ID cards? •Watch for these clues your child’s personal data may have been compromised: 1) They receive preapproved credit account offers. 2) They receive calls or billing statements from collection agencies, creditors or government agencies. 3) You’re unable to open a bank account in their name because one already exists with the same SSN. 4) They’re denied credit, employment, a driver’s license or college enrollment for unknown or credit-related reasons. Remember, there could be legitimate reasons why your child is receiving credit offers. For example, it could be a marketing outreach from an affiliate of your bank or because

(continued from page 12)

you opened a college fund in their name. If you strongly suspect or have evidence that identity theft has been committed, you can: •File a police report and keep a copy as proof of the crime. •Contact the fraud units at the three major credit bureaus for instructions: Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian (888-397-3742) and TransUnion (800680-7289). •Notify the Federal Trade Commission (877-438-4338), whose Identity Theft site contains information on fraud alerts, credit freezes, how to work with police and much more (www.ftc. gov). •Ask Social Security (800-772-1213) whether anyone has reported income using your child’s SSN. Search “Identity Theft” at www.ssa.gov for

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Sept. 15, 2016; last published Thurs., Sept. 29, 2016)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF ELLIS COUNTY, KANSAS ROOFMASTERS ROOFING AND SHEETMETAL CO., INC., Plaintiff vs. JEFF NIX, individually and JEFF NIX d/b/a AMERICAN ROOFING, Defendants Case No. 2015-LM-000788 NOTICE OF SUIT To JEFF NIX, individually and JEFF NIX d/b/a American Roofing and all other concerned persons: You are hereby notified that a Petition has been filed in Ellis County District Court by ROOFMASTERS ROOFING AND SHEETMETAL CO., INC. praying for judg-

ment against the Defendant in the amount of $15,226.88 for goods and services received; for its costs and expenses incurred in pursing this suit; and for such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and equitable; and you are hereby required to plead to the petition on or before 3:00 p.m. October 26, 2016, in the Ellis County District Court in the City of Hays, Ellis County, Kansas. If you fail to plead, judgment will be entered upon the Petition. Curtis Brown, #24007 Glassman, Bird, Brown and Powell, LLP 200 West 13th Hays, Kansas 67601 (785) 625-6919 (785) 625-2473 fax jcbrown@haysamerica.com Attorney for Plaintiff

Public Notice (First published in The Scott County Record, Thurs., Sept. 15, 2016; last published Thurs., Sept. 29, 2016)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS In the Matter of the Estate of Francis James Hess, deceased Case No. 2016-PR-000023 NOTICE OF HEARING THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL PERSONS CONCERNED: You are notified that a Petition has been filed in this Court by Nancy J. Hess, spouse and one of the heirs of Francis James Hess a/k/a Jim Hess, deceased, requesting: Descent be determined of the following described real estate situated in Scott County, Kansas: Lot Two (2), Three (3), Six (6), and Seven (7) in Block Eleven (11), in Eastman Addition to Scott City, Kansas.

published by KDOT, but not contained in Friday’s release. KDOT reported the percentage of non-interstate highway thought to be in good condition increased from 90.3 percent in 2015. The agency’s release also pointed to “targets” of 85 percent good for interstate highway and 80 percent good for noninterstate highway. Documents available from KDOT - but not referenced in the news release - depicted those numbers as “minimum performance thresholds” rather than targets reflecting high standards. KDOT evaluates the

and all personal property and other Kansas real estate owned by decedent at the time of death. And that such property and all personal property and other Kansas real estate owned by the decedent at the time of death be assigned pursuant to the laws of intestate succession. You are required to file your written defenses to the Petition on or before October 12, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., in the City of Scott City in Scott County, Kansas, at which time and place the cause will be heard. Should you fail to file your written defenses, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition. Nancy J. Hess, Petitioner WATKINS CALCARA, CHTD. 1321 Main - Suite 300 P.O. Drawer 1110 Great Bend, Kansas 67530 (620) 792-8231 Attorneys for Petitioner

information. •Contact the IRS’ Identity Protection Unit (800-980-4490). The FTC recommends contacting the three credit bureaus around your child’s 16th birthday to see whether they have credit reports on file. (There usually wouldn’t be unless they’re an authorized user on one of your accounts.) If there is a report - and it has errors due to fraud or misuse you’ll have time to correct it before you kid needs to use credit. Warn your kids about the dangers of revealing personal information by phone, email, or social networking. Don’t hesitate to monitor their accounts and install parental blocking software. And remember, if they share your computer, a downloaded virus could infect your accounts as well.

state’s 10,000-mile system annually and produces ratings based on scores of surface roughness and distress, which includes rutting in asphalt and faulting in concrete. Bob Totten, executive vice president of the Kansas Contractors Association, said the Brownback administration’s report on highways didn’t take into account consequences of recent postponement of hundreds of millions of dollars in maintenance and construction projects in response to budget problems. “The fact remains, and we believe most Kansans would agree, that we are

still in a critical state with unsafe roads and bridges, drastic loss of construction jobs and a continuous depletion of transportation funding, the equivalent of $1 million a day,” Totten said. He said KDOT ought to be applauded for elevating durability of the state’s highway infrastructure. “In order to fully restore Kansas,” Totten said, “our long-term focus needs to be on investing in a strong, sustainable transportation program.” KDOT has yet to disclose a more precise breakdown of interstate and non-interstate high-

way conditions for 2016, but the 2015 analysis showed interstate roadways to be in better shape than non-interstate. Last year, 39.3 percent of the interstate was very good, 58.4 percent was good, 2.2 percent was fair and 0.1 percent was poor. Comparable figures for non-interstate highway: 12.2 percent very good, 78.2 percent good, 9.2 percent fair and 0.5 percent poor. The most recent KDOT report on bridge quality from 2014 indicated 86 percent of Kansas bridges were in good shape, 11 percent were in fair condition and 3 percent were judged to be deteriorated.

The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Deaths Richard ‘Dick’ Ellis Smith

August 19, 1941 to Sept. 4, 2016 Dick Smith was born sions in Puget Sound on August 19, 1941, in his yacht named “Scotch Scott City, Ks., to Ellis and Water.” and Olive Stratton Smith. In 1979, Northwest The only son, Dick, was Airlines called and asked the third of four children. him to come back. Dick He graduated from Scott was ready to return to his Community High School. first love - flying - and Dick continue his career as a professional airline pilot. led a colDick and Karen orful life. Johnson were married. Never During this time Dick one to traveled to Montana and s t a n d decided Montana was the around a n d Richard Smith place he wanted to be. watch, he was always in In 1986, he purchased the 61 Bar Ranch outside the center of the action. He received a Masters Stevensville, Mont., and degree in economics from started raising cows again. Colorado State University. Dick and Karen worked Dick worked throughout very hard at building the to pay for his education, ranch into the beautiful delivering milk in the place it is today. In the first year you Fort Collins area and crop could always tell where dusting during summers Dick was on the ranch in Iowa. he was where the smoke Crop dusting is a danwas. A lot of clearing was gerous occupation or, in needed. Dick and Karen Dick’s case “sport.” This also restored the origiwas the beginning of his nal ranch house - built pilot career which lasted in 1911 - into a very lovthroughout his entire life. ing and hospitable home. Dick was married The 61 Bar Ranch became to Karen Coffman in the site for the Smith’s September 1966. Two legendary branding parsons were born of this ties - an annual Bitterroot union: Mark Andrew event. (b. 1967) and Bradley He retired from Richard (b. 1971). Northwest Airlines on Dick was hired by Aug. 19, 2001. But, he Northwest Airlines continued building his in May 1969 and flew ranch and launched new for 32 years, retiring as businesses. Dick, never a 747 captain in 2001. one to stand idle, invested His piloting career took more time in the cattle him to lands near and far business - owning and throughout Asia, Europe operating the Great Falls and North America. While and Missoula Livestock he loved the country life, Exchanges. He also he also appreciated seeing enjoyed greatly traveling Montana as a cattle buyer the world. for Fairleigh Feedyards of Never satisfied with Scott City. just one career, Dick Dick also was able to enjoyed and was very sucspend more time pursucessful at building busi- ing his love of fishing nesses in many fields. He all over the Northwest, was a first-class entrepre- Alaska and Central neur. America. His boat, the As a youngster, Dick “Classy Lady,” was well profitably raised cattle known in Montana. He in Kansas. His layoff always looked forward to from Northwest Airlines the annual pheasant shoot in 1970 proved a strong in North Dakota with the catalyst to look for new boys from Minnesota, the ways to support his young Texans and his two sons. Dick was an intelligent family. He and a fellow airline pilot - with few and strong man. He could skills outside of the air- put thought into action lines - began a house and he valued action. painting business in the Unknown to many, he was Seattle area. Working two a very generous man jobs, he even operated a helping people and causes Christmas tree yard that that were important to him. Christmas. He was a loving and This was the beginsupportive husband, ning of his active life in father, grandfather and a multitude of businesses, brother and will be greatly including the launch of missed. a successful coffee and Dick is survived by tea chain “Olive’s East” his wife, Karen; his son, in Seattle, Portland, Mark, and wife, Keiko, Minneapolis and Denver. and three grandaughHe also owned and oper- ters, Hana Ashley, Sena ated a large Seattle bakery Karina and Aina Marie; specializing in European his son, Bradley and wife, cakes and pastries. Both Kimberly, and two grandsons worked at these thriv- children, Olivia Cecile ing businesses, always and Carter Richard; his appreciating the value of sisters, Shirley Gatewood and Roberta Proctor; and hard work. He also kept a foot in a niece and many nephthe country by farming ews. He was preceded in two farms in southern Minnesota raising corn, death by his parents, soybeans, hogs and cattle. Olive and Ellis Smith, and his sister, Eva Fairleigh, Dick never did understand and her husband, Floyd why he decided to raise Fairleigh. hogs. If you wish to honor Always a flyer, Dick Dick’s memory please built his own runway on make a donation to the farm and flew his Animeals (Dick loved aniCessna 182 as often as he mals) at www.Animeals. could. com. Condolences and Continuing to enjoy the memories may be shared fruits of city life, Dick with the family at www. had many great pleasure whitesittfuneralhome. trips and fishing excur- com.

Omah Opal Penka Omah Opal Penka, 100, died Sept. 12, 2016, at Ness County Long Term Care. S h e was born Oct. 21, 1915, in Barton County, the daughter Omah Penka of Fred and Mary (Steinle) Oeser. She was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Dighton, the Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella. Omah grew up on a farm and graduated from Claflin High School in 1934. On Oct. 25, 1938, she married Bill P. Penka at Dubuque. He died Feb. 7, 1999. Survivors include: one son, Fred Penka, Healy; one daughter, Janice Brooks, Healy; six grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Jerry Penka; one grandson, Curtis Penka; one sister, Patricia Glenn; and three brothers, Durward Oeser, Glenn Oeser and Roy Oeser. Friends and family may call Fri., Sept. 16, from noon to 8:00 p.m., at the Boomhower Funeral Home, Dighton. Funeral service will be Sat., Sept. 17, 10:30 a.m., at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Dighton, with Fr. Bernard Felix officiating. Burial will be at the Healy Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Theresa Catholic Church or the United Methodist Church, both of Healy, in care of Boomhower Funeral Home, 145 N. Wichita, Box 891, Dighton, Ks. 67839. Condolences may be sent to the funeral home website at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.

Alice G. Carlson Alice G. (Pearson) Carlson, 99, died Sept. 8, 2016, at Lindsborg Community Hospital. Alice was born Nov. 23, 1916, in Olsburg, Ks., the daughter of Gustav Malker and Hilma Louise (Anderson) Pearson. She attended Bethany College (Lindsborg), graduated from Kansas State University and attended San Jose State University. She was a homemaker, former school teacher, pastor’s wife and a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Lindsborg. On June 26, 1943, she married Perry August Carlson in Olsburg. He died Sept. 27, 2003. Survivors include: two daughters, Martha Lefever, and husband, Scott, Lancaster, Pa., and Louise Ehmke and husband, Vance, Healy; six grandchildren, TJ Walker and Todd Walker, both

of Lancaster, Pa., Cole Ehmke, and wife, Mariah, Laramie, Wyo., Tanner Ehmke, and wife, Anne, Denver, Colo., Layton Ehmke, and wife, Jen, Healy, and Marit Ehmke and husband, Jerry Gabie, Bozeman, Mont.; and six great-grandchildren. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister, Eleanor Nelson. Services are pending and will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Messiah Lutheran Church, Bethany College or Smokey Valley Historical Association in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, Ks. 67460. Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.stockhamfamily. com.

Ted Sylvester Fisher Ted Sylvester Fisher, 90, Topeka, passed away September 5, 2016, at Aldersgate Village. Ted S. Fisher was born October 18, 1925, to Elmer C. and Grace Hesser Fisher in Parkerville, Ks. The family moved, in 1930, to Alta Vista, Ks., where they remained for many years. After graduating from Alta Vista High School in 1943, Ted enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, as an aviation cadet. He served for two years and was discharged in November 1945. Ted married Freda Davis in March of 1946, settling in the Beman Community to farm. They also spent time in the grocery business in Council Grove, Ks., from 1948-54. In 1959, Ted was accepted into the Kansas Highway Patrol. He served in the communities of Wellington, El Dorado, Scott City, and then transferred to Topeka in 1972 to serve as a pilot. He spent two years on the Governor’s security detail and retired from the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1984. In 1985, he began

working on the security force for the Kansas Legislature. Ted served 16 years at the Legislature, 10 of those years were as Sergeant at Arms. Ted is survived by his children, Judy Meredith (Ken), Omaha, Nebr., and Brad Fisher (Debi), Lees Summit, Mo.; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Freda, and his brothers, Donald and Bill Fisher. Memorial service will be Tues., Sept. 20, 11:00 a.m., at Wesley Hall in Manchester Lodge at Aldersgate Village Retirement Community, 7220 SW Ashbury Drive, Topeka. Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be sent to Kansas Concerns of Police Officers, 2844 SW Cannock Chase Road, Topeka, Ks., 66614, or Midland Care Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Ks. 66606. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Applying for disability through Social Security by Rich Fowler Social Security operations manager

When a person becomes disabled, there are many questions and unknowns when you have to transition out of the workforce due to medical issues. While an employer may offer short or longterm disability, most people faced with a disability will file for benefits with Social Security. Visit the Social Security website at www. socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi. You can apply for benefits on the website. You can contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local office if you wish to apply for disability benefits. When applying for benefits, you should be prepared to answer a number of questions including: •When your conditions became disabling: •Dates you last worked;

•The names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of visits to your doctors; •The names of medications that you take and medical tests you’ve had; and •Marital information. In addition, if you plan on applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability payments, for people with low income who haven’t paid enough in Social Security taxes to be covered, you will be asked about: •Your current living arrangement, including who lives there and household expenses; •All sources of income for you and your spouse, if applicable; and •The amount of your resources, including bank account balances, vehicles, and other investments. You can view the disability starter kit at www. socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits. htm.

The Scott County Record • Page 15 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Pastime at Park Lane The Community Christian Church led Sunday afternoon services. Pastor Bob Artz led Bible study on Tuesday morning. Doris Riner played the piano for the hymns. Russel and Mary Webster led Bible study on Tuesday evening. Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran Bible study on Wednesday morning. Madeline Murphy, Barbara Dickhut and Mandy Barnett were the bingo helpers on Wednesday afternoon. Residents played pitch on Wednesday evening. Denton and Karen Berry

Birthday party honors five

Five Park Lane residents were honored during the September birthday party last Thursday afternoon. Guests of honor were Venus Gropp, Marcella Otteson, Doris Riner, Harriet Lewis and Donald Green. The Over 50 Chorus led a group sing-a-long and everyone was served cake and ice cream.

Blue Steele to perform Sept. 24

The Blue Steele Band will perform on Sat., Sept. 24, at 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. helped with the games. Ladies received manicures on Thursday morning. Trivia games were played on Thursday evening. Fr. Bernard Felix led

Sr. Citizen Lunch Menu Week of September 19-23 Monday: Polish sausage, peas, steamed cabbage, tropical fruit salad. Tuesday: Crispy chicken wrap, cottage cheese, carrot raisin salad, tortilla, pears. Wednesday: Salmon patty, ribettes, macaroni and cheese, California blend vegetables, whole wheat roll, applesauce. Thursday: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, whole wheat bread, ambrosia. Friday: Taco salad, refried beans, breadstick, sherbet. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501

Catholic Mass on Friday morning. Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran services on Friday afternoon. Everyone enjoyed vanilla ice cream cones on Friday afternoon.

by Jason Storm

LaVera King was visited by Velda Riddiough, Carol Latham and Gloria Gough. Dottie Fouquet was visited by Mark Fouquet, Jon and Anne Crane, Dean and Kim Fouquet, Jim and Karen K., and Donna Gaschler. Jim Jeffery was visited by Libbie Joles. Corrine Dean was visited by Carol Ellis and Dianna Howard. Arlene Beaton was visited by Linda Savolt. Cecile Billings was visited by Ann Beaton, Delinda Dunagan, Larry Billings and Linda Dunagan.

Louise Crist was visited by Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, Jean Burgess, Patsi Graham, Kay Mohler, Don and Tara Williams, and Sue Rose. Loretta Gorman was visited by Jay Gorman, Charlene Becht, Joanne Brown, Nancy Urban, Velda Riddiough, and Chuck and Barb Brobst. Lowell Rudolph was visited by Tom and Kathy Moore, Connie and Marci Knobbe, Rev. Don Martin, and LuAnn and Jon Buehler. Clifford Dearden was visited by Janet Ottaway from Hays and Kirk Ottaway.

Boots Haxton was visited by Rod and Kathy Haxton. Lorena Turley was visited by Tava See, Neta Wheeler, Lisa Ivey and Tracy Hess. Doris Riner was visited by Sue Riner and Kaitley and Finley Edwards. Bonnie Pickett was visited by Gloria Wright and Larry and Philene Pickett. Jeanie Rowton was visited by Becky Rowton, Courtney Young, Phil and Susan Escareno, Ann Hawkins and Chuck Rowton. Vivian Kreiser was visited by Larry and Sharon Lock.

Attend the Church of Your Choice

Praying Together My reading today challenged me to study and understand Proverbs 5:15-20, “Drink water from your own cistern” . . . and I find it referring to fidelity in marriage. Essential to the home is absolute faithfulness of a man and his wife. The marriage vow usually promises to be faithful and true to one another as long as we live. The righteousness of any relationship is established in obedience to God’s Word. We are commanded to love God and one another. Our fellowship with God is hindered if we do not love each other as God loves us. We remain faithful to our spouses because we love them only, and because God says, “Do not commit adultery.” The strength of any relationship is prayer. We need God’s help and guidance. Every relationship is tested but we have such promises from the Bible as Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. I Corinthians 13:10 says, “No temptation has over-

taken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it” (HCSB). The problem we have is a lack of communication with God our provider. James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (HCSB). Communication is key to a great marriage. When a husband and wife are on the same page spiritually the communication problem is solvable. Simply put, What sayeth the Word? Husbands and wives are urged to live together in understanding and honor so as to have a great prayer life together as one (1 Peter 3:1-7). Here is a great challenge and opportunity. Proverbs 5:15-20 is a very intimate passage of scripture that every married couple should read together. The couple that prays together stays together.

Pastor Robert Nuckolls Immanuel Southern Baptist Church, Scott City

Scott City Assembly of God

Prairie View Church of the Brethren

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

4855 Finney-Scott Rd. - Scott City - 276-6481 Pastor Jon Tuttle Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship • Tuesday breakfast at 6:30 a.m. 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.

Pence Community Church

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

Community Christian Church

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

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

First Baptist Church

Immanuel Southern Baptist Church

803 College - Scott City - 872-2339

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.

First Christian Church

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Larry Taylor, pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

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 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

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.

Uninsured rates drop faster in ACA states The uninsured rate in Kansas continues to drop. But rates are declining faster in states that have expanded Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. New data estimates that Kansas’ uninsured rate dropped to 9.1 percent in 2015, down from 10.2 percent the year before and 12.3 percent in 2013. Over the three-year period, the number of Kansans age 19 to 64 without coverage has declined by about 87,000, dropping from 348,000 to 261,000. Nationally, the share of uninsured Americans shrank to 9.4 percent, the lowest level in 50 years. The federal Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is the primary reason for the improvement in the numbers, said Sheldon Weisgrau, director of the Health Reform Resource Project. “The main reason is the availability of insurance through the Affordable Care Act, which allows people to get tax credits and subsidies to help them buy private insurance,” Weisgrau said. Kansas is among 19 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid to cover adults earning below 138 percent of the federal poverty rate: $16,394 a year for individuals and $33,534 for a family of four. On average, the uninsured rate in non-expansion states is 12.3 percent, compared to 7.2 percent in states that have expanded eligibility.

Comfort Zone family retreat at Lakeside St. Catherine Hospice is sponsoring the 18th annual “Comfort Zone” Family Retreat at Camp Lakeside in Scott City. This retreat is offered to help families who are grieving the death of a significant person in their life. The goal of the weekend retreat is to educate the participants about the grieving process and provide suggestions for coping skills. The retreat weekend is October 14-16. Cost for the weekend, which includes six meals and two nights lodging is $10 per family member. Financial aid is available to assist families. The number of participants is limited. For more information call Gina Cash, Comfort Zone director, at St. Catherine Hospice 620272-2519 or 1-800-281-4077.

The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Employer insurance costs slow as consumers use less care Employees are contributing more, deductibles soar by Jay Hancock Kaiser Health News

Employer health insurance expenses continued to rise by relatively low amounts this year, aided by moderate increases in total medical spending but also by workers taking on a greater share of the costs, new research shows. Average premiums for employment-based family coverage rose 3.4 percent for 2016, down from annual increases of nearly twice that much before 2011 and double digits in the early 2000s, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. But, 3.4 percent is still faster than recent economic growth, which determines the country’s long-run ability to afford health care.

And the tame premium increases obscure out-ofpocket costs that are being loaded on employees in the form of higher deductibles and copayments. Another new study suggests those shifts have prompted workers and their families to use substantially fewer medical services. High-Deductible Plans For the first time in Kaiser’s annual survey, more than half the workers in plans covering a single person face a deductible of at least $1,000. Deductibles for family plans are typically even higher. Deductibles are what consumers pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. Employers sometimes contribute to pre-tax accounts to help workers pay such costs. Employers have been flocking to high-deductible plans in recent years, arguing that exposure to medical costs makes consumers better shoppers.

It also saves employers money. Having workers pay more out of pocket shaved half a percentage point off premium increases of employment-based plans in each of the past two years, Kaiser researchers calculated. Since 2011, the average deductible for single coverage has soared 63 percent, according to the survey, while workers’ earnings have gone up by only 11 percent.

The study of more than 1,900 small and large companies showed little evidence that high costs are prompting employers to dump health coverage or cut workers’ hours to make them ineligible for insurance. The Affordable Care Act requires companies with at least 50 employees to offer coverage to most fulltime workers, but not parttimers. (See INSURANCE on page 17)

With chronic illness, patients become their own best friends Anna Gorman Kaiser Health News

It’s clear that what patients with chronic illnesses do outside the doctor’s office - how much they exercise, what they eat and whether they take their medication - can affect their health conditions. But, managing one’s own disease has been considered primarily a “nice extra,” said Kate Lorig, director of the Stanford Patient Education Research Center. Now, Lorig

said, health systems, employers and insurers are starting to recognize that it is critical to good health care. And they are starting to invest in selfmanagement programs. “People with long-term chronic conditions spend 99 percent of their time outside of the health care system,” said Lorig, a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine. “What they do with that time determines their quality of life, their health and also their utilization of the

health care system.” A recent study found that diabetic patients who participated in a largely online self-management program designed at Stanford had lower blood sugar levels and took their medication more regularly. The study also showed that many participants exercised more and had fewer symptoms of depression. Self-management programs have been around for a long time, and Stanford is considered a leader in developing

them. Researchers are experimenting with online and telehealth versions. In-person workshops have been proven effective in numerous studies, but the virtual programs have been less amply studied. In the new, peer-reviewed study, 1,010 patients nationwide completed the six-week disease management workshop online and another 232 attended workshops in Georgia, Indiana and Missouri. The results were (See CHRONIC on page 17)

Opioid treatment spending climbs over 1,300% since 2011 Julie Appleby Kaiser Health News

The nation’s ongoing opioid problem comes with staggering physical and emotional costs to patients and families. But, the dollar cost to the health system has been harder to peg. Now a new report shows a more than 1,300 percent rise in spending by health insurers in a four-year period on patients with a diagnosis of opioid dependence or abuse. From 2011 to 2015, insurers’ payments to hospitals, laboratories, treatment centers and other medical providers

Opioids are substances that produce morphine-like effects. Opioids are most often used medically to relieve pain. While morphine is a common opioid, others are semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxycontin and fentanyl. An estimated four million people in the United States used opioids recreationally or are dependent on them.

for these patients grew from $32 million to $446 million - a 1,375 percent increase. While that’s a small portion of the overall spending on medical care in the United States, the rapid rise is cause for concern, says Robin Gelburd, president of Fair Health, a nonprofit databank that provides cost information to the health industry and

consumers. “That really shows the stress on the health system and the impact on the individuals,” Gelburd said. The Fair Health study found a sharp difference in the amount that insurers spend on individual patients with such a diagnosis. On average, insurers spend $3,435 a year on an individual

patient, but for those with an opioid dependence or abuse diagnosis, that amount jumps to $19,333. Those numbers reflect what insurers actually paid. The report also includes data on what providers charged, amounts that are lowered by their contracts with insurers. The study found a 3,000 percent increase in the volume of insurance claims related to opioid dependence diagnoses between 2007 and 2014. The latest study - part of a series - offers amounts asso(See OPIOID on page 17)

All your allergy care in one, convenient place Dr. John P. Faraci, board certified Allergist and Immunologist • Specializing in allergy, asthma and sinus care • Adult and pediatric patients • Self-referrals welcome

Call (620) 874-4854 to schedule an appointment

Dr. John P. Faraci

201 Albert Avenue, Scott City, Ks 67871 • (620) 872-5811 www.scotthospital.net

The Scott County Record • Page 17 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

VA develops new suicide prevention program Michael Fellman says a chance passerby - or, perhaps, divine intervention - kept him alive when the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder became overwhelming. Fellman, a combat veteran of the Iraq War who spoke last Friday at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs summit in Topeka about mental health care,

said he had planned to die on July 31, 2015. About a month earlier he had gone to the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka and was prescribed medication for his condition. But, he didn’t realize the medication would take time to work and stopped taking it when he didn’t see improvement after a

Insurance Seven percent of companies falling under the requirement reported they were shifting employees from part-time to full-time to make them eligible for health insurance. Only two percent said they were switching full-timers to part-time to make them ineligible. Instead, employers have taken unprecedented steps to control the cost of the medical insurance by having workers shoulder thousands in costs up front. The average deductible for single coverage this year is $1,478, up by half since 2011. For workers at small companies, the average deductible is more than $2,000. Republicans favor such “consumer-directed” insurance as bringing more market forces to bear on health products and services. If patients spend more of their own money, the idea goes, they’ll think twice about getting expensive or dubious procedures. Consumer advocates

ciated with claims billed by providers and paid by insurers for the types of medical services used. Both studies use claims data from insurers representing more than 150 million insured Americans who have insurance through work or buy coverage on their own. There have been other efforts by several researchers to quantify the cost of the opioid problem on the overall economy, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. The surge in spending on patients with opioid

Avoiding or Skipping? Many consumers have responded another way to high-deductible plans: by using fewer medical services.

In 2014, total annual health spending was $659 less per person in high-deductible plans, or 13 percent, than in conventional plans, according to analysis by the Health Care Cost Institute of claims for 40 million employees covered by Aetna, Humana and UnitedHealthcare. What’s hard to tell is whether the savings came from avoiding needless tests and procedures or whether employees are skipping important treatment. “If the intention is lower utilization will lead to lower spending, we’re seeing that” with highdeductible insurance, said Amanda Frost, an HCCI researcher. “I don’t think we have a good handle” on the effect on patient health. Consumers on highdeductible plans from 2010 to 2014 used 13 percent less inpatient hospital care, 10 percent less outpatient care and 13 percent fewer prescriptions compared with those with

conventional insurance - including a 21 percent reduction in use of brandname drugs. Members of highdeductible plans paid nearly a fourth of their total medical costs out of pocket versus only 14 percent for members of conventional plans. High-deductible plans “are definitely becoming more common and probably will become even more common over the next few years,” Frost said. Average annual 2016 premiums for single coverage were $6,435 for single coverage and $18,142 for family coverage, according to the Kaiser report. That includes premium contributions both by employers and by workers, usually taken regularly out of their paychecks. The 2016 premium increase for family plans of 3.4 percent is close to the trend during the past five years. The 2015 increase was 4.2 percent.

(continued from page 16)

diagnoses is likely a combination of factors, the report notes. As media attention focuses on drug dependency, more people may be seeking treatment. At the same time, prescription and illegal use of narcotics may also be increasing. The study found that emergency room visits and laboratory tests accounted for much of the spending. Based on claims volume, the fastest-growing set of services in terms of utilization were for alcohol or drug therapy. Lab

Chronic measured over a sixmonth period, although nearly 30 percent did not complete the questionnaire. Nationwide, about half of adults have at least one chronic condition, and one in four has multiple illnesses, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases with about 22 million people across the nation diagnosed with it. Many chronic diseases could be prevented - up

Topeka, and wrote some notes while sitting in his car. No one had gone by for some time, he said, so he stepped out of the car and raised his gun to his head. It was then that someone happened to walk by and ask if he was okay. He said he was. The person walked on. But, that split second was

(continued from page 16)

complain that patients lack the knowledge and tools to shop intelligently for care. Even prices for basic procedures such as radiology scans often aren’t easily known beforehand. Analysts associate high-deductible plans with rising consumer clamor over medical prices, especially for prescription drugs. Patients are more likely to recoil at a fivefold increase in the price of an EpiPen, which treats a severe allergy attack, when they bear the cost directly, although drug expenses are only a portion of the out-ofpocket burden. “Rising drug costs are among the most visible health costs people have to bear as deductibles go up, so it adds to the focus,” said Drew Altman, CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Opioid

week. Fellman’s symptoms soon escalated to the point that even a trip to the grocery store became overwhelming. “I was tired of the nightmares, tired of the anxiety, tired of the hypervigilance, tired of the depression,” he said. Fellman said he drove to Lake Shawnee, in east

(continued from page 16)

to 80 percent of strokes and cases of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, for example - by eating better, getting more exercise and reducing stress, according to the California Department of Public Health. And that, in turn, could reduce health care expenditures, research shows. In California alone, 42 percent of annual health care expenditures are for treating arthritis, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression, a 2015 study found.

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

tests, including checks for barbiturate or opioid use, were not far behind. The report gives some examples of the changes. For example, one billing code for a test on opiate use commonly brought in a $31 payment from insurers prior to the change. The two billing codes replacing it are commonly paid at $78 and $156. The new billing codes may reflect new technology in testing, Gelburd said. She said some observers speculate that the rapid increase in lab spending might reflect

that, with more patients in therapy, the tests are being used to ensure they are taking their proper medications and not abusing narcotics. But, the spending might also reflect a growing use of very expensive urine and blood tests when less expensive ones would be sufficient, said Andrew Kolodny, senior scientist at Brandeis University. “I worry about profiteering,” said Kolodny. “We need tests, but not the expensive ones. A lot of clinics are making extra money off these lab tests.”

enough to disrupt his plan. “That fraction of a second, when I put my pistol down, gave me a chance to think,” he said. The interruption led Fellman to seek treatment. But, the VA hopes to flag other veterans in need of mental health care before they experience a similar crisis and reduce the odds they will get so close to

death. Changes in Care The VA is developing a program called Reach Vet, which will identify veterans who may be at an increased risk of suicide based on any mental health diagnoses and other information that might suggest a mental (See SUICIDE on page 18)

Suicide

(continued from page 17)

health need, such as seeking treatment for insomnia, said Stephanie Davis, suicide prevention coordinator for VA Health of Eastern Kansas. People who receive psychiatric care early tend to have better health outcomes, she said. “We can provide advance care to people maybe even before they know they’re struggling,” she said. In 2014, veterans died by suicide at a rate that was 21 percent higher than the general population, Davis said. In Kansas, those who died were more likely to be white males who were younger than 30 or older than 65, she said. Brian Stephens, group practice manager for VA Health of Eastern Kansas, said the VA medical centers in Topeka and Leavenworth have implemented same-day access for people thought to be at risk for suicide, though people requesting mental health care without an urgent need may have to wait until the next day to be seen. The two medical centers also are working to integrate their primary care and mental health care providers, Stephens said. If veterans don’t have to come back for follow-up appointments to meet with a mental health provider, he said, they are more likely to start treatment, less likely to harm themselves and generally more satisfied with their care. The psychiatrists and psychologists know about the change, but the medical centers still are working out how to manage the new workflow, Stephens said. Ideally, they will reach some veterans who may not realize their symptoms come from a mental health problem or who wouldn’t seek care for it because it hasn’t reached a crisis level, he said. “If we don’t capitalize on that right there in the beginning, we miss that opportunity,” he said. “Most times, asking for help is the hardest thing to do.” Warning Signs If VA employees detect someone is at an increased risk of suicide, they can set up mental health appointments and develop a safety plan for that veteran, Davis said. While some people think about suicide for a long time, the decision to act on those thoughts typically is impulsive, meaning even the brief delay to remove a trigger lock could give the person time to reconsider, she said. “If we can just interrupt somebody for five minutes, we can save a life,” she said. Some people have gotten creative, such as one veteran who froze the key to his gun safe into an ice cube so he would have to thaw it before he could harm himself, Davis said. The safety plans also ask the veterans to recognize warning signs that their mental health may be deteriorating, such as isolating themselves or abusing alcohol or drugs.

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

4-H Club News Jayhawkers win to ribbons at State Fair

Congratulations to the Manning Jayhawkers on a great job at the Kansas State Fair. Entries will be on display from Sept. 9-18 at the fairgrounds in Hutchinson. Members exhibiting included: Cally Cramer: foods, blue; clothing, red. Jacob Fisher: photography, blue. Rachel Fisher: visual arts (2), participants. Congrats again on a successful year in 4-H. Cally Cramer, reporter

Manning Jayhawkers, elect new officers

The monthly meeting of the Manning Jayhawkers 4-H Club was held on Sep. 12 at the Wm. Carpenter 4-H Building. We began the meeting with an ice cream sundae with the Lake Wide Awake 4-H Club. Thanks so much for the tasty treats. President Rachel Fisher called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Flag leader Jace Miller led us in the Flag Salute and the 4-H Pledge. Acting secretary Adan Frederick announced roll call. Roll call was “Your favorite Color.” It was answered by 22 members and one community leader. Community leader Stephanie Fisher thanked us for the year. Butter braid breads need to be turned in tonight. Record books are due on Oct. 8 at the library. KYLF and CWF are both approaching for members who are 14 and over. Last council meeting of the year will be on Sept. 26.

We are again selling Krispy Kreme donuts for Nate Nowak’s Rolling Nuggets basketball team and everyone is encouraged to sell them. Orders are due Sept. 22 and will be delivered Oct. 1. The pancake feed is Oct. 5 and everyone is encouraged to sign up to help. The Photography Club will be meeting on Oct. 10 at Lake Scott. Everyone needs to sign up for the program, committees, hosts and leaders tonight for the new book. Everyone signed a thank you to the Scott Coop for doubling our fair premium money. Eddie Tilton presented the slate of officers for the 2016-17 year. The officers are as follows: president, Trella Davis; vice-president, Eddie Tilton; jr. vice-president, Nathan Smith; secretary, Jessica West, jr. secretary, Adan Frederick; treasurer, Jaden Jones; jr. treasurer; Treven Jones; reporter, Cally Cramer; council, Rachel Fisher and Trella Davis; parliamentarian, Chance Jones; song leaders, Maggie Hineman and Tressa Goodman; pledge leaders, Jace Miller, Matthew West and Marly Cramer; and recreation leaders, Kalo Hineman, Jacob Fisher and Bennett Frederick. Trella Davis announced the program. Gui Griffith talked about bee keeping. Gui led us in playing a fun game called “Groups.” Next meeting will be 4-H Sunday on Oct. 9 at 6:00 p.m. with a carry-in supper. Senior officers’ parents will be in charge of the meeting. Cally Cramer, reporter

Lake Scott Catfish Tournament Scott City, Kansas • September 17-18 The Beach House at Lake Scott State Park

Cash Prizes! 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $250 3rd Place - $100

For an entry form, visit www.scottcityks.org Click “Chamber of Commerce”, “Chamber Events”, and “Lake Scott Catfish Tournament”

For more information, contact the Scott City Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 872-3525 ext. 1

Sports The Scott County Record

Setting the pace Possible preview of state course goes well for SCHS x-country team • Page 20

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, September 15, 2016

cardiac queens

SCHS senior Macy Berning blocks a shot during Tuesday’s action against Lakin.

(Record Photo)

Lady Beavers rally against Lakin; complete quad sweep It’s not just that the Scott Community High School volleyball team is off to their best start in years, but how they’re doing it. A combination of power on the front line, defensive quickness and confidence have contributed to their 5-1 start. “And they refuse to give up,” adds head coach Megan Gentry after her squad completed a sweep of Tuesday’s quadrangular that included Wichita County (25-6, 25-9), Goodland (2522, 25-11) and Lakin (26-24, 22-25, 25-21).

As good as the Lady Beavers looked throughout the night, they save their best for last when they were pushed to a tie-breaker against Lakin. In the opening game they trailed 23-18 before closing it out with an 8-1 scoring blitz. Junior Jalynn Habiger provided an offensive spark with three serve points before middle hitter Macy Berning delivered back-to-back kills that gave Scott City its first lead since 14-13. Senior Taylor Goodman finished off the comeback with an ace. The second game was tied 20-20

before the Lady Broncs finished it off with five unanswered points to set up the tie-breaker. In the final game, the match was tied 15-15 when SCHS pulled away with four consecutive points. Lakin cut the deficit to a single point when senior Clarissa Ratzlaff delivered a kill to stop Lakin’s momentum. Kiana Yager added a kill that put the Lady Beavers up 24-21 before they collected the game winner. “These girls are learning how to win,” says Gentry. “To come back the (See SPIKERS on page 22)

Upset opportunity slips away from Beavers For more than three quarters, Scott City was able to go toe-totoe with the top-ranked team in Class 4A-Division II. Despite three turnovers that led to three Holcomb Scott City 13 touchdowns, Holcomb 32 the Beavers trailed only 18-13 with just over eight minutes remaining in Friday’s Great Western Activities Conference game. But, when Scott City needed a defensive stop, Holcomb’s Dylan Williams instead tore the heart out of the Beavers with a 75 yard touchdown run. Holcomb added a late score for a 32-13 win - their first over SCHS since 2007. (See HOLCOMB on page 21)

Section C • Page 19

Stevens, SC girls 4th at Wamego The Scott Community High School cross-country team got their first look at the Wamego course last Saturday in the very competitive Wamego Invitational. They hope it’s not their last. Wamego is the site of the Class 4A state meet and if the Beavers can qualify they will make a return trip in October. If Saturday’s preview was any indication, there’s a very good chance they will be back after Makaela Stevens and Jack Thomas each finished within the top four medalists and the teams each finished within the top five against a rugged field of Class 4A competition. “It was a great experience for everyone. It was the first time any of the kids had seen this course and that’s going to be real valuable if we can come back here (for state),” says head coach Kevin Reese. Stevens, a junior, finished the course in 20:54 to claim a fourth place medal, followed by teammates Dulce Ayala (24th, 22:16), Olivia Prieto (27th, 22:20), Trella Davis (29th, 22:24) and Kodi Rogers (91st, 25:52). Senior Paige Winderlin, who was unable to finish her season opening meet at Goodland because of illness, instead competed at Tribune on Saturday. A healthy Winderlin is expected to rejoin the varsity squad this Saturday at Hugoton. “If Paige is back to running like she can, that makes a pretty big difference in the team standings,” Reese noted. “We’d likely climb up one or two spots.” Circle (46) easily won the team title, (See STEVENS on page 20)

Catfish derby at Lake Scott Area anglers can show their skill and possibly walk away with up to $300 in prize money during the annual Catfish Derby to be held Saturday and Sunday at Lake Scott State Park. Top prize money of $500 will be awarded to the fisherman with the most pounds in catfish. Second and third place finishers will earn $250 and $100. Anyone wanting more information or to enter can contact the Scott City Chamber of Commerce (872-3525) or register at the Beach House at Lake Scott on Saturday.

SCHS defense will have a different look against Bluejays

Junior runningback Jarret Jurgens slips away from a Holcomb defender during second half action last Friday. (Record Photo)

After giving up 63 points and 327 passing yards in just two games, the Scott Community High School defense will take on a new look in Friday’s non-league game against Cimarron. “Two weeks into the season we’re basically starting over,” says head coach Jim Turner. “It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s pretty apparent we can’t continue like we are.” The biggest surprise this season has been the porous secondary which has four touchdowns of 29, 25, 19 and 20 yards. “There are too many times when we’re confused on pass coverage and that’s not acceptable,” says Turner. The “new look” Beavers will see Nick Nowak making the move from free safety to inside lineback(See DEFENSE on page 20)

The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

7th grade Jays rally late against McCook After giving up the lead in the fourth quarter, Shane Faurot wasn’t worried about whether his seventh grade Bluejays could score again. He was more worried about leaving too much time on the clock for McCook to make another comeback. Scott City Middle School regained the lead with less than two minutes remaining and McCook didn’t have an opportunity to add another score as the Bluejays picked up

their first win of the season, 38-34. “We got the ball back with about five minutes left, so I felt pretty comfortable,” Faurot says. “We’d been able to move the ball on them all day. “The boys were doing a real nice job with the offtackle plays.” With a season-ending injury to runningback Kale Wheeler, the Bluejays were looking for a replacement and have created a two-headed

combination in Ronnie Weathers and Damian Estrella. “Ronnie’s a big kid and he runs hard, which is what we need at fullback,” says Faurot. “Estrella gives us the speed to the outside.” Estrella took advantage of his breakaway speed to rush for 178 yards - averaging 13.7 yards per carry. He shredded the McCook defense with runs of 22, 10, 60, 15, 31 and 16 yards.

“But he has to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” says Faurot, noting that the runningback has four fumbles in two games. Weathers did his job between the tackles where he earned 98 hard yards on 23 carries - an average of 4.26 yards per carry. Estrella scored three touchdowns and Weathers added two. The Bluejays held a 24-14 lead at halftime, but McCook responded in the second half by taking a

34-32 lead in the fourth quarter. “Our passing game is struggling at this point, so until that changes we’ll continue to keep the ball on the ground,” noted Faurot. While pleased with the offense overall, Faurot isn’t satisfied with the defense giving up five touchdowns. “We have to get better at our responsibility. We’re overrunning gaps,” he says. “We shouldn’t have

given up this many points. Once again most of the scores came on big plays, like the week before.” The head coach feels that the 344 rushing yards is a reflection of how much the offensive line is improving. “They’re doing a better job of understanding who to block and they’re firing off the ball,” he says. “And we did a much better job of picking up blitzing linebackers, which we didn’t do against Ulysses.”

8th grade offense rolls over McCook Scott City Middle School wanted to send a message early in their game against McCook. “We came out aggressive and we wanted to keep the pressure on them,” says eighth grade head coach Skip Numrich following their 36-14 win against McCook. Punting wasn’t even an option on the opening drive of the game as the Bluejays converted a pair of fourth down plays. Taking more than 5-1/2 minutes off the clock, they scored on a four yard run by Gabe Bowers. The tone had been set. Even though McCook was able to tie the game briefly at 6-6, it never felt like the Bluejays didn’t have control. They grabbed a 20-6 halftime lead on touchdown runs by Bowers (two yards)and Isaac Tarango (30 yards). SCMS extended their

lead to 36-6 in the third quarter on a 24 yard run by Loren Faurot and an 18 yard pass from quarterback Harrison King to Kevin Serrano. “All week in practice the emphasis was on picking up the pace and the boys did a good job of continuing that into the game,” Numrich says. A number of different Bluejays contributed to the win. “Josh Rosin was able to give Sawyer (Stevens) a break at fullback and he did a real nice job,” says the head coach. “We have depth and we want to use it.” Numrich felt McCook was comparable to Ulysses. “They weren’t as physical, but they have some real nice athletes. We played a much better game,” he says.

Defense er where he will join Eddie Tilton. With defensive tackle Garret Osborn out of the lineup for at least six weeks due to an injury, Trey Loftis is moving from linebacker to the line. Another part of the small tackle package is Kevin Aguilera. Depending on how much he plays on the offensive line, Nic Cheney is another option at defensive tackle. “For as mobile as Cimarron’s quarterback is, we probably wouldn’t have played Garret much this week anyway, except on first downs or short yardage situations. That’s probably how we’ll use Daniel,” says Turner. “We’ve had success in the past by going small with our (defensive) tackles, so it’s not a major change.” Making the transition from outside linebacker to defensive end will be

Tucker wins 1st in Pigskin Gary Tucker needed a tie-breaker to win this week’s Pigskin Payoff He had 12 correct picks, but was closest to the actual score of the SCHS-Holcomb game (without going over) with a tie-breaker of 38. Gabie Tucker claims second place money while Jon Berning is the third place winner.

(continued from page 19)

sophomore Wyatt Hayes. “My moving him to end should prevent him from taking quite as much punishment, especially if he’s going to continue to get as many carries as he had (against Holcomb),” Turner says. Taking over at outside linebacker for Hayes will be senior Jess Drohman. Battling for the free safety spot will be Adrian Ruelas and Jordan Horn.

Scott City’s Austin Rios leads a group of runners while competing at the Wamego Invitational last Saturday.

Stevens followed by BasehorLinwood (111), Baldwin (119) and Scott City (132). “What was impressive is that each of our top four girls ran at least 30 seconds faster than they did at Goodland and they all felt this was a tougher course,” said Reese. “The girls were aggressive when they needed to be, but they also ran smart.” In addition to previewing the course, Saturday’s race was also a chance to see some of the top teams in Class 4A that the Beavers will likely face at

(continued from page 19)

regional and state. “I think we saw the best of the 4A teams,” Reese observed. “Now we have an idea of what to expect and what we have to do.” Thomas is Third With a season best time of 16:54, Thomas was a bronze medalist in the field of 139 runners. He was only 19 seconds off the winning pace set by Dylan Brenneman (Spring Hill) and he was only one second behind the runner-up from El

Dorado. “Jack was locked in a battle for second place for most of the race. He ran a great race,” Reese says. Conner LeBeau (29th, 18:32) posted the second fastest time among the SCHS athletes, followed by Austin Rios (42nd, 18:50), Drew Duff (63rd, 19:23) and Theron Tucker (66th, 19:28). “It was real encouraging to see how Austin and Theron are stepping up. We need to get five runners under 19 (minutes),” says the head coach.

“Hopefully, that can happen this weekend at Hugoton. That’s a pretty fast course.” Senior Jess Drohman can be one of those sub-19 minute runners if he can get healthy. He has had a high ankle sprain since the first football game and that’s limited his ability to compete in cross-country. Circle (88) also claimed top honors in the boy’s division, followed by Wamego (95), Hugoton (120), TopekaHayden (144) and Scott City (190).

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Beavers unable to hold onto football, lead in loss to Longhorns Five turnovers were more than the Scott Community High School junior varsity could overcome in a 20-14 loss at Holcomb on Monday. Holcomb turned two of those turnovers into touchdowns, but still Scott City 14 needed a short Holcomb 20 scoring drive in the final minutes for the come-from-behind win. “There were too many mental errors,” says coach Alex Hutchins. “It was almost like a replay from Friday night where we fumble right away and that kind of set the tone. “We gave the ball away too many times and eventually it’s going to cost you.” Defensively, the game was dominated by the Beavers who limited the Longhorns to just 16 rushing yards on 22 attempts. The Holcomb passing game wasn’t much better (7-22-

1), but made the most of their opportunities with a 43 yard completion that set up their first score and a 19 yard touchdown completion to win the game. Even though SCHS held a 237-129 edge in total offense, the Beavers were their own worst enemy with their inability to take care of the ball. After fumbling on their third play of the game and generating just 12 yards of offense in the first quarter, the Beavers were able to put together an 80 yard drive in the second period. They kept the ball on the ground the entire drive until quarterback Jack Thomas connected with Parker Gooden in the flats for a 12 yard touchdown and a 6-6 game. The SCHS defense, which limited Holcomb to minus-six yards rushing in the second half, nearly scored a safety on the Longhorns’ first possession in the third period. While it (See JV BOYS on page 22)

Holcomb “We are our own worst enemy right now, but it will get better,” head coach Jim Turner assured the team as they huddled following the game. For the second week in a row, Scott City mistakes were instrumental in the outcome, starting with deep back Kevin Aguilera’s inability to gain control of the opening kickoff which set up a two-play, five yard scoring drive. Two second half turnovers by Scott City - a fumble and an interception - led to a pair of 31 yard scoring drives in the third quarter. Those mistakes overshadowed a strong defensive effort that limited the Longhorns to just 76 yards rushing through the first 39-1/2 minutes of the game. And while Holcomb quarterback Trey Gilbert was just 11-20-1, for the second consecutive week the SCHS secondary was picked apart for big plays.

Scott City freshman Parker Gooden reaches for the end zone to score the first of his two touchdowns against Holcomb during JV action on Monday. (Record Photo)

(continued from page 19)

They gave up five catches of 12 or more yards and three plays of more than 20 yards. On the three biggest pass plays covering 34, 20 and 48 yards, there wasn’t a defender in the neighborhood. Two of those catches flipped field position while the 20 yard catch led to a 12-6 Holcomb lead in the third period. “We had some success moving the ball, but we’re stopping ourselves with mistakes - turnovers, penalties or a missed block on the edge,” says Turner. “This team doesn’t feel like we’re 0-2, but it doesn’t matter how we feel if we don’t fix some things. And we have to fix them now.” Establish Ground Game After falling behind by a touchdown less than a minute into the game, the Beavers quickly recovered and found success moving the ball on the ground, which was their plan

entering the game. While they couldn’t get into the end zone, Scott City had 104 yards of offense in the first quarter - 78 of those rushing. “Our strength is our running game and we showed that we can move the ball against a good defense,” says Gentry. “We have to avoid the selfinflicted mistakes - the turnovers and the penalties.” Despite their early success, Holcomb was able to limit the Beavers to just 82 rushing yards over the next three quarters. Sophomore fullback Wyatt Hayes was a workhorse with 62 rushing yards in the first quarter and by halftime he had 89 yards on 15 carries. He finished the game with 120 yards. Turner says their inability to find success with the sweeps and tosses - a staple of the SCHS ground game - contributed to the lack of yardage over the final three periods. “Until we can consistently

NOW ! E L B A L I A V A

make our blocks on the edge, it’s going to limit what we can do offensively,” says the head coach. “Holcomb was able to adjust to what we were running because they could see where we were having success.” Force Turnovers Scott City forced turnovers on back-to-back Holcomb possessions in the second period - an interception and a fumble. The fumble occurred when the ball was stripped from Gilbert’s hands as he was running out of bounds to avoid defensive pressure. That gave Scott City excellent field position at the Longhorn 27 with 8:37 left in the half. SCHS was backed up by a holding penalty, but quickly regained most of that lost yardage with a pass interference call against wideout Justin Faurot. From the Holcomb 21, four of the next five carries were by Hayes who finished off the

drive with a five yard run. The botched PAT kick left the scored tied at 6-6 with 5:09 on the clock and that’s how the score remained at halftime. Scott City returned the favor with an interception and a fumble on their first two possessions of the second half. Following an interception and return to the SCHS 31, Holcomb drove to the 18 yard line where a fumble appeared to be recovered by the Beavers. Instead, it was Holcomb retaining possession and on the next play completed a 20 yard pass to a wide open receiver over the middle for a 12-6 lead. Scott City’s next drive lasted just three plays before a fumble gave Holcomb the ball at the 31. Again, it appeared that Scott City might avoid disaster when two penalties pushed the Longhorns back to the 39 yard line where they were staring at (See TURNOVERS on page 22)

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The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

JV Boys appeared the Holcomb quarterback was tackled in the end zone, the officials marked the ball at the one yard line and following an incomplete pass, Holcomb was forced to punt from the back of the end zone. The Beavers had an opportunity for great field position, but fumbled the punt return. Following a three-andout, the Beavers regained possession at their own 20 yard line. The Thomas-Gooden connection proved effective once again when the freshman runningback turned a short pass to the Holcomb sideline into a 75 yard score. With two defenders in pursuit, Gooden was able to sprint

Spikers way they did in the first game was pretty impressive.” SCHS is finding success from several different areas. Habiger has a nasty serve that teams are finding difficult to handle, let alone make a good pass. Habiger had three ace serves (23.1% of her serves) while still delivering on 13-of-15 from the service line. At the net, Berning led the Lady Beavers with 12 kills against Lakin. But, also providing a threat to score are outside hitters Habiger (7 kills) and Yager (4 kills) who continually kept the Lady Broncs off-balance with

JV spikers 2nd in home tournament Scott Community High School claimed a runnerup finish in their home junior varsity volleyball invitational last Saturday. Scott City rolled through pool play with wins over Holcomb (2516, 25-23), Colby (25-3, 25-18) and Liberal (2512, 25-18). In the semi-finals, SCHS defeated Ulysses (27-25, 25-17) before losing in the finals to Garden City (22-25, 15-25).

(continued from page 21)

down the sideline and was tripped up just as he reached the end zone. Jordan Horn added the PAT run for a 14-6 lead with 4:25 left in the third period. It wasn’t until midway into the final period that the Beavers allowed Holcomb to climb back into the game when the Longhorns stripped the ball from freshman Cale Goodman and a defender raced 47 yards for a touchdown that cut the deficit to 14-12. On their next possession, SCHS was faced with fourth-and-three and Hutchins gambled near midfield. The fourth down attempt was stopped one yard shy of a first down and Holcomb took advan-

tage by moving the ball 47 yards for a TD. They finished off the drive with a 20 yard pass over the middle with 1:30 remaining. Scott City was able to move the ball to the 20 yard line before they ran out of downs and time. Goodman led the Beavers with 33 yards on nine carries while Thomas added 30 yards on four carries. Gooden had two receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. “I was pleased with our offensive balance (117 yards rushing and 120 yards passing), but I wasn’t pleased with our yards per carry. We need more consistency from our running game,” says Hutchins.

Turnovers second-and-26. The Beavers let Holcomb off the hook with a pass interference penalty on a desperation pass by Gilbert. On third-and-10, Holcomb kept the drive alive with a 16 yard completion to the seven yard line. That eventually led to a one yard scoring run and an 18-6 Holcomb lead with 1:04 left in the third period.

(continued from page 21)

early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Bo Hess opened the drive with an eight yard run, along with a late hit penalty on the Longhorns as he was going out of bounds. Three plays later, he connected with Aguilera on the far sideline and the senior runningback stretched it into a 51 yard play to the nine yard line. A naked bootleg by Hess on the next play cut the lead to 18-13 with 8:38 remaining. Beavers Answer After stopping The 75 yard run by Holcomb on downs at Williams, followed by a their own 17 yard line 57 yard drive that drained

five minutes off the clock, accounted for two Holcomb touchdowns in the final 7:45. “We minimized the mistakes this week, but when they did occur they were big,” notes Gentry. “Despite our mistakes, it was a heck of a football game for more than three quarters.” After being limited to just 64 yards rushing through the first three quarters, the Longhorns added 166 yards in the final period. They held a 388-239 edge in total offense.

(continued from page 19)

hits down the line. “I tell the girls that the line is open and they’re looking for that shot,” says Gentry. “I remind them that they don’t always have to hit it hard if they can find the open spot.” However, what Gentry likes seeing from her squad this year is aggressiveness throughout the match. “We don’t want to be careless, but I don’t want the girls playing tentative when we’re behind. We’ve been able to keep the pressure on teams, even if we fall behind. That’s how we were able to come back against Lakin the first game,”

says the head coach. Despite their 5-1 start - their only loss coming against Ulysses - Gentry emphasizes this team can’t be satisfied with what it’s accomplished so far. “The success they’re enjoying so far didn’t just happen. It a result of getting their butts kicked for the last two years. What’s happening now was two years in the making,” Gentry says. “But, we still have a long way to go. We’re a lot farther than we’ve been before at this point in the season, but we have to stay hungry and keep getting better if we want to still be playing at the end of October (at state).”

Public Notice Construction is still in process on the SCHS track. We are requesting the public to refrain from being on the track during this time. The estimated completion date is September 26. Notification will be given when the track is open to the public. We appreciate your cooperation during this time and are sorry for any inconvenience.

USD 466 Administration and Board of Education

The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

KU opener proved to be a lump of fool’s gold Here’s the definition of “fool’s gold” by example: Kansas football fans judging how good their team is after beating a super patsy like Rhode Island (55-6) in the season opener. The Jayby hawks looked Mac for all the Stevenson world like a significantly improved football team. They aren’t. If Kansas is as bad as they played in the first half in the 37-21 loss to Ohio last week, they won’t win another game. Ohio - in a display of total domination - had 359 total yards on offense to KU’s 21 in just the first half. Those numbers are disheartening for KU fans and it was painful to watch. KU played losing football across the board, but the offensive line was the worst phase. The Jayhawks couldn’t do a thing with their running game and the pass protection was pitiful. This was against an Ohio team that lost at home (5654 OT) to Texas State a week earlier. Defensive tackle Daniel Wise (so., 6-3, 290), linebacker Joe Dineen, Jr. (jr., 6-2, 225), and safety Fish Smithson (sr., 5-11, 201) all played winning football. But, where was highly touted DE Dorrance Armstrong (so., 6-4, 241)? The announcers never mentioned his name and he made no outstanding plays. Overall, the defense missed tackle after tackle. Special teams were a disaster. Those units made enough mistakes for a season, let alone one game. The coaching was equally inept. After the game, Coach David Beaty lamely remarked, “Last week - as great as it was - we learned a lot from it, but I guarantee you we didn’t learn as much from it as we’re gonna learn this week.” That quote evokes sympathy for someone who is at a loss for what to say. The guy’s trying, but the rest of the season appears grim. KU’s players weren’t ready to play and there’s no excuse for that. No one expected Kansas to be able to compete with the top teams (See GOLD on page 25)

Uncharacteristic start can be attributed to big plays, turnovers Scott Community High School is in unfamiliar ground with their 0-2 start. But, what got them in this situation is familiar to every coach who preaches fundamentals. “It’s the little things that can add up to big mistakes,” says head coach Jim Turner, whose team has given up 63 points in two games. Just to put that into perspective, during the 2014 regular season the SCHS defense only gave up 64 points in nine games. Last year, they allowed just 69 points through the first 10 games. The Beavers have always taken pride in their defense. So what’s changed? It begins with turnovers - three fumbles and four interceptions. As one might expect, that translates into valuable field position. On average, Hays and Holcomb took possession at the SCHS 29 yard line following the seven turnovers. Six of those possessions resulted in touchdowns. It puts a lot of pressure on the defense when you are consistently giving opponents a short field to work with. Compounding that problem has been Scott City’s inability to prevent big plays. In just two games, they’ve given up 14 plays of 10 or more yards and seven plays of 25 or more yards. Five of those plays have resulted in touchdowns. For more than 39 minutes, the SCHS defense held Holcomb to 88 total yards on the ground before giving up 75 yards on one play. “We’ve been fairly solid at eight of our defensive positions, but where we’ve had breakdowns, they’ve been huge,” says Turner. Injuries a Factor Of course, injuries are always a concern and they’ve taken a huge toll on the Scott City defense. At one time, defensive tackle ap-

peared to be one area that would anchor the Beavers with three players - Garrett Osborn (6-3, 230) Jaime De la Rocha (59, 235) and Daniel Nolasco (6-2, 285) bringing some varsity experience from last season. Nolasco didn’t play at all against Holcomb because of a shoulder injury. Osborn lasted two series and will miss the next six weeks due to a foot injury. De la Rocha has yet to step on the field this season and coaches aren’t sure when he will. Consequently, young players have had to step into starting roles, others have had to switch positions and some are being called on to play offense and defense. “Give credit to those kids who are playing positions where they haven’t played before or have rarely played,” Turner notes. Baron Strine (6-0, 210, jr.) had never played defensive tackle before last Friday and was on the field for about onethird of the defensive plays in addition to playing offensive tackle. Senior Trey Loftis (5-5, 170) had played sparingly at DT last season, but made the switch from inside linebacker and finished the night with 15 tackles. “From a technique standpoint he has a lot to learn, but he’s playing his heart out,” Turner says. “Once we correct a couple of things he’s going to be even better.” Nic Cheney (5-11, 245, jr.) who had prepared to play DT in place of the injured Nolasco, was also called on to play offensive tackle after starter Chase Cupp went to the sideline with a possible concussion. Cupp will also miss the game against Cimarron because of concussion protocol.

In addition, last Friday’s game was sophomore Kyle Sherwood’s first start as a defensive end. “He doesn’t have a lot of speed when it comes to running down quarterbacks, but you aren’t going to move him very far either,” says the head coach. “He’s learning how to take on the tight end.” Self-Inflicted Mistakes On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Brian Gentry adds penalties as another problem that has to be corrected. “We have a hard time recovering from a 10 or 15 yard penalty,” he says. “We minimized the mistakes this week, but when they did occur they were big.” If the Beavers are going to generate more offense, quarterback Bo Hess has to be seen as a threat to run, as he was when he ran a bootleg for a score. “If the linebacker doesn’t see him as a running threat when he rolls out, then he doesn’t have a decision to make. He can just sit back in coverage,” Gentry notes. “There were a couple of times (against Holcomb) that he put his head down and ran when we needed him to. As soon as the defense has to respect that, then the passing game will open up a little more. “Bo took a big step in the right direction tonight.” That’s why no one is hitting the panic button, though Turner would like nothing more than to get his first head coaching win. “We’re not that far away from being a pretty darn good team,” Turner says. “It’s a matter of several boys getting settled in at new positions. We’re getting the effort. The wins will start coming.”

The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Play of the Week Wednesday, Sept. 14 - Tuesday, Sept. 20

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Wisconsin vs. Michigan St.

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The Green Haus

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Turner Sheet Metal

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Pick the Winning Team

Support Your Local Food Bank! “Help Us CRAM THE VAN” at select events and you may *win a free night’s stay at the Hotel at Waterwalk in Wichita!

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Washington vs. NY Giants Drop off non-perishable food items at your Wheatland Electric office anytime! Watch for the BIG RED Wheatland Electric Van in your community!

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Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Contest Rules 1) Entry forms must be left at The Scott County Record or postmarked by 5:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to each week’s contest. Entry forms can be clipped from The Scott County Record, or a copy of the entry form can be made. 2) Only one entry per person, per week.

Georgia vs. Ole Miss

3) Entries with the highest number of correct picks will be awarded first, second and third place prize money each week. Prize money can be picked up at The Scott County Record office any time after Tuesday. In case of ties, the tie-breaker will be the closest to the total score without exceeding the total. 4) Total number of correct picks during the 14-week period will determine the grand prize winner. In case of a tie, the final week tiebreaker will determine the winner. 5) Anyone can enter the contest, including the sponsors. 6) The judge’s decision will be final.

Triplains-Brewster vs. Wichita Co.

Denver vs. Cincinnati

Scott City vs. Hugoton

Wisconsin vs. Michigan St.

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Mulvane vs. Wichita Collegiate

Georgia vs. Ole Miss

Denver vs. Cincinnati

Concordia vs. Marysville

Florida vs. Tennessee

Minnesota vs. Carolina

Concordia vs. Marysville Florida vs. Tennessee

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The Scott County Record • Page 25 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Wimpy and the woodchuck brawl As a kid growing up in the farm country of central Ohio, my summer income came from the same source as all other farm boys - baling hay. I know I’m aging myself, but we’re talking pre-round bale days. We’re talking wagon load after wagon load of at least 100 square bales apiece, pulled behind the baler, taken to the barn, unloaded onto an elevator and stacked into the loft. The farm boys in our neighborhood were the usual ornery, free-spirited lot, but we all knew how to work hard, and come hayin’ time each year we became a necessary commodity to most farmers. Such was the case with Chester Campbell. Chet lived across the road from me and for reasons unknown didn’t seem to

Scott City Stars 2016 Missouri Valley Long Course District - West Wichita • July 22, 2016 Girl’s Division 50m Freestyle 10-years and under: Kennedy Wasinger, 24th, 43.76. 11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 26th, 35.55; Lana Rodriguez, 36th, 37.11. 100m Freestyle 10-years and under: Brinlie Stevens, 18th, 1:34.47; Kennedy Wasinger, 20th, 1:34.71. 11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 25th, 1:19.76. 50m Backstroke 11-12 years: Lana Rodriguez, 13th, 46.56. 50m Breaststroke 10-years and under: Brinlie Stevens, 4th, 52.14; Kennedy Wasinger, 22nd, 56.03. 100m Breaststroke 10-years and under: Kennedy Wasinger, 15th, 2:00.24. 11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 1st, 1:33.37; Lana Rodriguez, 8th, 1:42.02. 50m Butterfly 10-years and under: Brinlie Stevens, 33rd, 60.31; Kennedy Wasinger, 38th, 62.84. 200m Individual Medley 10-years and under: Kennedy Wasinger, 19th, 4:08.09. 11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 22nd, 3:16.28; Lana Rodriguez, 27th, 3:20.53. Boy’s Division 50m Freestyle 10-years and under: Waylon Ricker, 16th, 40.90. 100m Freestyle 10-years and under: Waylon Ricker, 11th, 1:31.38. 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 2nd, 66.20 200m Freestyle 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 8th, 2:33.01. 400m Freestyle 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 2nd, 5:30.23. 200m Backstroke 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 4th, 2:43.17. 100m Breaststroke 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 4th, 1:27.63. 50m Butterfly 10-years and under: Waylon Ricker, 18th, 1:11.81. 100m Butterfly 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 2nd, 1:14.45. 200 m Butterfly 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 3rd, 3:08.98. 200 m Individual Medley 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 4th, 2:47. 2016 Long Course Swim Championships Lawrence • July 28, 2016 Boy’s Division 50m Freestyle 10-years and under: Avry Noll, 20th, 37.18. 100m Freestyle 10-years and under: Avry Noll, 26th, 1:26.36. 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 30th, 67.48. 200m Freestyle 10-years and under: Avry Noll, 14th, 3:05.96. 50m Backstroke 10-years and under: Avry Noll, 12th, 42.66. 200m Backstroke 13-14 years: Connor Cupp, 22nd, 2:45.40. 50m Butterfly 10-years and under: Avry Noll, 30th, 55.93.

Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland

care much for us neighborhood boys. I think the feelings were mutual, but like I said, once his hay was down, we became pretty good kids. Ohio has groundhogs like Kansas has coyotes. Wherever there is ground there are groundhogs. Groundhogs, best known as woodchucks, look like overgrown prairie dogs, short stumpy tail and all, and can easily grow to weigh 10 pounds or more. They have two sharp incisor teeth in the front of their mouth, much like a beaver, and eat all types of green plant life. They dig their burrows in fence rows and woodlots where they can easily

Gold on their schedule, but Jayhawk fans hoped for some modest improvement over 2015 and it wasn’t evident against Ohio. KU plays at Memphis this Saturday. Memphis beat KU 55-23 last season in Lawrence and a week ago they beat Southeast Missouri State (35-17). It won’t be a fun trip for the Jayhawks. KSU in Home Opener Kansas State opens their home season against Florida Atlantic this Saturday. Fox Sports will televise the game with a 1:30 p.m. start. The state of Florida has so many college football teams that it’s hard to keep track of them. However, one thing is obvious - very few of them are in the “patsy” category. Florida Atlantic opened their season with a 38-30 win over Southern Illinois and lost 38-10 at Miami last Saturday. The Owls

sneak out into fields of young, growing crops and wreak havoc. Like minicombines, they choose a row of tender young soybean plants, straddle the row and eat every plant off to the ground for several feet. We had a dog named “Silly” who was a groundhog slayin’ machine. Silly knew just how and where to grab them and would shake them till their teeth rattled. One day we heard a huge ruckus coming from the cornfield by the house. Upon investigation, it was Silly who had caught a groundhog, probably sneaking through the cornfield on its way back to the safety of its den. When the fight was over, Silly was victorious as usual. The groundhog was dead and a patch of corn the size of a pickup

was flattened from the fray. Now old man Campbell also had a dog, sort of a cross between a beagle and a bassett, named Wimpy. As I remember, Wimpy was a good old dog, just not the “sharpest knife in the drawer,” if you know what I mean. This particular day, Campbell’s hay was ready to bale and, as usual, three of us neighbor boys suddenly became handier to him than sliced bread. The hay field was bordered by a creek on one side and by woods on one end. Those borders were riddled with woodchuck dens. Empty wagons were pulled behind the baler and when one was loaded we stopped long enough to unhook the loaded one, hook up to the empty behind us and go again. In the middle of one

(continued from page 23)

had a 3-9 record in 2015, but one of their losses was at Florida (20-14). After the bye week, Kansas State needs to show progress with their offense. The primary preseason concern was the offensive line and that hasn’t changed. Quarterback Jesse Ertz gained experience and played through the loss to Stanford without suffering another injury. KState needs great quarterbacking from Ertz and improved play by the offensive line if they are going to be competitive in the Big 12. Best and Worst in KC “It was the worst of times, it was the best of times”. That ancient Charles Dickens’ quote is backwards, but it fits the KC Chiefs and their extraordinary comeback in a 3327 OT victory against San Diego in Sunday’s opener.

Kansas City couldn’t have played any worse in the first half or any better in the second. The effort was AWOL in the first half and then KC completely turned it around. Regardless, it’s a great start to the season. Quarterback Alex Smith played flawless football in the second half after looking terrible in the first 30 minutes. KC travels to Houston this Sunday to play the Texans. There are no easy games in the NFL, but the Chiefs are off to an encouraging start. General Manager John Dorsey and Coach Andy Reid have worked together to establish a first-class franchise. The drafts have been excellent and the Chiefs have quality depth and no glaring weaknesses within their roster. The AFC West is loaded and it’s going to be an exciting race to determine who makes the playoffs.

such exchange, we heard the most awful wailing, screeching and thrashing imaginable coming from the nearby field edge. The three of us ran to investigate and found Wimpy in the weeds with a big groundhog fastened securely to the end of his snout. Around and around they went, the woodchuck showing no intention of letting go. We all knew better than to try and interrupt the festivities barehanded, so we scrambled to find something to end the brawl and save Wimpy’s snout. The back of all the hay wagons had metal “pockets” welded to them into which wooden racks could be inserted to provide something solid to stack the back row of hay bales against. One wagon happened to have just single 2x4s in those pockets,

so someone grabbed one and ran back to the brawl. After taking careful aim amidst the ball of thrashing fur, a well placed wallop across the groundhogs back dropped it to the ground and sent it diving for its burrow minus, Wimpy who raced shrieking toward the house. So ended Wimpy’s close encounter with the woodchuck, and I sincerely doubt he ever saw one that close again. Although I’ve not heard of groundhogs in my neck of the woods, they are in eastern Kansas and will probably make their way across the state much like the armadillos have. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors. Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom.net

ambassadors of fun

The Scott County Record • Page 26 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Positive message, fun at the heart of hoopsters

Marquette Knight had dreams of playing basketball in the NBA or possibly overseas after graduating from college. And while the next phase in his basketball career may not be as rewarding financially, Knight has found a way to turn his love for the sport into an experience that’s far more rewarding than he could have imagined as a member of the Harlem Ambassadors. “When the NBA and playing overseas didn’t work out, this was an alternative,” says Knight, who is starting his fourth season as an Ambassador. “I have a real passion for kids. I like going into schools and giving a positive message to kids,” says the graduate of Virginia Intermont College. “We’ve walked in these kids’ shoes. We had dreams and ambitions and goals and we want to let them know that if they work hard they can come true.” All of the Ambassadors are college graduates - which is a requirement and they must project a positive image as they travel across the country and throughout the world. They will participate in about 220 fundraising events during the nine months they are on the road. “Our schedule in September is light, but we have only five or six open days in October,” says Melvin Dolberry, who also joined the Ambassadors in 2013. “It’s tough on the body and you need a strong mindset to be away from your family and loved ones for eight or nine months out of the year,” Dolberry says. “It’s hard work, but it also has its rewards.” Seven Ambassadors and their announcer, Ryne Thorson, were challenged by the a Scott City team during a Chamber of Commerce fundraiser on Sunday afternoon. Despite being given a 25 point bonus at halftime, the Chamber Challengers couldn’t keep pace with the Ambassadors. Not that they were expected to. And not that the score even mattered. It was pure showmanship and entertainment as youngsters were recruited for a game of musical chairs, there was a $10,000 three-point contest and some of the Chamber Challengers even showed whether or not they had rhythm in a dance showdown with the Ambassadors. “This is bigger than basketball. We do a lot of school assemblies. We emphasize to kids they should stay off drugs. We try to bring something positive to the community,” says Dolberry, who has traveled with the Ambassadors the past three seasons. He was “discovered” by teammate Nicholas “Spin” Simpson who saw a couple of Dolberry’s videos on YouTube. He was asked to participate in a team tryout and attended their training camp. “It’s not for everyone,” he emphasizes. “I’m doing something that I love to do and I’m inspiring other people as well.” Even with the rigorous schedule, Dolberry has no plans to leave the team soon. “I can see myself doing this for another three or four years,” he says. Likewise, Knight is enjoying his backup plan to a NBA career. “I’ll do this as long as the body allows,” says Knight with a grin. “How often do you get a chance to do something in life that can have such a positive influence on kids?”

Scenes from the Harlem Ambassadors basketball fundraiser are: (Top) Brittany Dorsey shares a laugh with Peyton Gentry (right) after she loses in musical chairs to her sister, Kendall. (Above left) Kirby Rohrbough is encouraged to pose for the photographer while joining the Ambassadors on the bench. (Above right) Alli Kline and and Patric Massey show a few dance moves. (Left) Dorsey finds a way to slow down Alex Hutchins on a fastbreak opportunity. (Record Photos)

Record Xtra

The Scott County Record Page 27 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Witten riding for others as he makes long-distance trek

A 1,500 mile horseback journey halfway across the country is giving Tom Witten the opportunity to satisfy a 20 year old dream. Witten is slowly making his way from Garrison, Ky., to Garrison, Colo. - a trip that will eventually take about five months. Along the way, it’s allowing him to close a couple of unfinished chapters in his life. “This is something that my uncle said he wanted to do 20 years ago,” says Witten, who stayed overnight in Scott City on Sept. 7. It was for no other apparent reason except that the two towns share the same name. Now age and health prevent his uncle from making the trip. Witten and his son, who had recovered from drug addiction, then began talking about how they would make the trip together. “He had returned home and we had rebuilt our relationship,” Witten says. Those plans ended when his son was killed in a four-wheeler accident a year ago in June. Maybe that was the final motivation for Witten to finally turn the journey into a reality. On Mother’s Day, he left Garrison, Ky., to begin the

horseback trek in honor of his uncle and in memory of his son. “This is a personal thing for me,” says the self-described jack-of-all-trades - a rancher, mechanic, carpenter, welder and more. It’s also a recognition that time - as was true with his uncle and son - is unforgiving. After experiencing two major heart attacks earlier this year, the 56-year-old knew that he might not have the luxury of waiting too much longer. Riding Third Horse So far, the trip hasn’t been particularly easy on Witten or his horses. His original mount was injured when it slipped on loose asphalt, sending horse and rider to the pavement. Witten sold the injured horse and bought another, only to have that one get seriously ill after eating a poison weed while passing through Missouri. He had the good fortune of stumbling upon Keith Temple, who provided Witten work to do so he could pay for the horse’s veterinary bills and feed while it is recuperating. After being delayed for a month, Witten borrowed a horse from his newfound friend so he could continue.

Tom Witten with Scar during their overnight stop in Scott City.

“I’ve been delayed for about 1-1/2 months. I should already be to Garrison and on my way back by now,” he says. Witten hasn’t been without a few close calls of his own. In addition to him and his horse getting stuck in mud twice, Witten says he has “kissed the ground” a couple of times as well. None of the falls were serious enough to keep him from continuing. Witten is accompanied in a support vehicle by his companion, Willa Green, and the two will pull a trailer back

home. Along the way they will exchange horses with Temple. The trip has been a great opportunity to see the country in a different way and to gain a greater appreciation for its people. “When I started out on this, friends were asking me why I wanted to go through Kansas,” says Witten. “I told them I really had no choice, but now I’m glad that I did. The country looks a lot different than it does from I-70. “And the people here are the most friendly I’ve met. People will stop me and they actually

(Record Photo)

care about what I’m doing and why. A guy in the last town (Dighton) even put us up in the motel for a couple of nights,” he says. “I’ve learned a few things along the way.” While the journey is personal, Witten is also using it as an opportunity to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior program and leukemia research. “I figure that if I’m willing to ride 1,500 miles on horseback, surely people can give a dollar or five dollars to one of these causes,” he adds.

Former governor, House speaker clash on taxes Former Democratic Gov. John Carlin and former Republican House Speaker Mike O’Neal have starkly different views on the condition of Kansas government. That divergence was plain as the two met in Topeka for a discussion about the size of government. O’Neal and Carlin agree on one thing - that they don’t know exactly what the “right size” of state government is. “It’s not about high or low,” said Carlin, but about finding the right tax level to get return on investment. O’Neal said the goal of the 2012 tax cuts, passed while he was Kansas House speaker, wasn’t shrinking state government, it was boosting the economy. He said government will shrink, at least temporarily, while waiting for the economic growth that tax cuts are aimed at boosting. “It’s not a shot of adrenaline, as I think we’ve found out,” said O’Neal. “In fact, it’s very hard for anyone to have predicted the stagnation nationally, because everybody thought they’d pull out of the recession quicker than they did.” Carlin said the results of the August primaries, where multiple incumbent conservatives lost to more moderate challengers, were a referendum on the state’s tax policy and direction. “I think it’s an understanding of the people of Kansas that what we tried did not work,” Carlin said. O’Neal now heads the Kansas Chamber of

Commerce, which had endorsed all the incumbent Republican legislators defeated in the primaries. He said this is just another swing in Kansas politics like others in the past. “People want something different,” said O’Neal, suggesting there’s an anti-incumbency movement and distrust of government at all levels in 2016. “Lower taxes tend to stimulate our economy, that’s still our philosophy.” O’Neal said for years Kansas had a very high number of state employees based on its population and advocates for a focus on growing the private sector. “That doesn’t necessarily mean firing everybody in state government and outsourcing everything, but there are certainly some efficiencies,” O’Neal said. Carlin argued a loss of state workers in the wake of the tax cuts has had a negative impact on state services like mental health care. “There’s pain. Citizens know that,” Carlin said. It’s not just about increasing services, he said, “it’s about getting back to quality.” Without a change in course on tax policy, Carlin said the state won’t be able to invest in infrastructure and education, and he says that means Kansas won’t be competitive in attracting people and business. “If we don’t invest at a level that gives people confidence that we’re

funding a quality public education system, then people look at leaving, not coming,” Carlin said. O’Neal said Kansas isn’t in the tough spot

Carlin thinks it is. O’Neal blamed the media for not telling positive stories about the state and attacking the administration of Gov. Sam

506 Main St. • Scott City 620-872-7224

Brownback. “It pains us to hear all the people who hear things are going down the toilet. If you talk about that enough, it becomes a

Member FDIC

self-fulfilling prophecy,” O’Neal said. He said Kansas still does well in many state comparisons and has a low unemployment rate.

117 N. 4th • Leoti 620-375-4800

The Scott County Record

Farm

Page 28 - Thursday, September 15, 2016

Can the days of irrigation in Western Ks. be numbered? The prairie wind buffeted Brant Peterson as he stood in a half-dead field of winter wheat. In front of him, a redwinged blackbird darted in and out of a rippling green sea of healthy wheat. Behind him, yellowed stalks rotted in the ground. The reason for the stark contrast was buried 600 feet under Peterson’s dusty boots: Only part of the field - the thriving part - had been irrigated by water pumped at that depth from the ancient Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest underground sources of fresh water in the world.

The Numbers •Irrigation accounts for about 85 percent of water use in Kansas. •Per capita water usage is 274 gallons a day in western Kansas, compared with 98 gallons in eastern Kansas. •There are 1.5 million acres of irrigated farmland in southwestern Kansas. •90 percent of all water used in Kansas is pumped from underground.

“If not for irrigation, that whole field would look like this,” Peterson said, nudging the dead wheat with the toe of his boot. But, irrigation soon could end on Peterson’s southwest Kansas farm.

The wells under his land in Stanton County are fast running dry as farmers and ranchers across the Great Plains pump the Ogallala faster than it can be replenished naturally. Three of his wells are already dry. Within five years, Peterson estimates, he likely won’t be able to irrigate at all. ‘Greedy Farmers’ Brant Peterson, a fifth generation Kansas farmer, responds to those who accuse him and his neighbors of squandering water. Peterson and other western

Kansas farmers pump water from an underground aquifer to irrigate his crops, but their wells are drying up. The depletion of groundwater stores also is a problem familiar to farmers struggling with drought in California, where pumping for irrigation has put the state’s Central Valley Aquifer under the most strain of any aquifer in the U.S., according to NASA satellite data. But, California also has surface water: reservoirs, lakes, streams, rivers, snowmelt from the Sierra

Livestock biosecurity to be featured at 3i Show DODGE CITY - K-State Extension will offer farmers, ranchers, emergency personnel and the general public the opportunity to learn more about keeping an important part of the food supply, livestock, safe in southwest Kansas. During the 3i Show, A.J. Tarpoff, K-State Extension beef veterinarian, will present the program “Protecting Livestock from Disease: Basics of Biosecurity” on Fri., Oct. 14, at 11:00 a.m. and again at 4:00 p.m. The goal of biosecurity is to protect animal health, Tarpoff said. Biosecurity incorporates those management practices aimed at keeping new diseases off the farm and keeping diseases from spreading from group to group on the farm.

(See IRRIGATION on page 38)

(See BIOSECURITY on page 29)

Making plans for winter, spring wheat grazing ture for winter grazing or winter plus graze-out is estimated at 30-35 cents per pound of stocker gain in typical situations. The typical winter grazing period is roughly 120 days from about November 1 to March 1. Most commonly, producers purchase 400 to 500 pound stockers and expect to sell a 650-800 pound feeder animal at the end of winter grazing. This

year may offer some additional alternatives. The possibility of an earlier start to winter grazing this season could extend the winter grazing period by 10-20 days. This may affect the optimal size of animal to purchase and/or change the expectation for selling weight at the end of winter grazing. There are even more considerations if wheat

graze-out is already planned at this point. Grazing a single set of stockers for winter plus graze-out is challenging. It would require a very lightweight beginning weight (375-425 pounds) in order to finish grazeout in early May with a roughly 900 pound feeder. Early onset of grazing this fall would add that this challenge.

KCA opposes checkoff change

Market Report

Weather

Derrell Peel Okla. State Extension

The current wheat market is such that there will likely be considerable interest in grazing wheat this winter. Producers will not only be looking at winter grazing, but may also be thinking about the prospects for grazing out wheat next spring. Wheat graze-out appears to offer better

The Kansas Cattlemen’s Association (KCA) has recently submitted comments to the USDA regarding a proposed provision to the Beef Checkoff. USDA published proposed revisions to the Beef Order on July 15 and asked for comments from the public. The proposed revision provides for official recognition by USDA to allow producers to direct the full $1-perhead checkoff assessment to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) with a refundable state condition. Currently, Qualified

prospects for returns per acre compared to wheat grain. Planning now can help producers better position themselves regardless of whether their interest is in winter grazing only for dual-purpose wheat or grazing out wheat. Current conditions are encouraging for early wheat establishment for fall and winter grazing. Most of Oklahoma and Kansas has received good

State Beef Councils, like the Kansas Beef Council, withhold $0.50-per-head marketed regardless of producer consent or election. Kansas is one of a handful of states that does not have a state law defining mandatory beef promotion and research organizations. The Kansas Beef Council, a USDA Qualified State Beef Council and Federation of State Beef Councils member, receives its credentials as part of the Federal Beef Act and USDA Beef Order. The Beef Act defines a Qualified State Beef

USDA forecasts record corn crop Corn production is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, up 11 percent from last year, but down less than one percent from the August forecast. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 174.4 bushels per acre, up six bushels from 2015. If realized, this will be the highest yield and production on record in the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 86.6 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast, but up seven percent from 2015.

rainfall over the last 2-3 weeks. With favorable soil moisture and soil temperatures, early planting of wheat has begun. Assuming additional moisture arrives in the next few weeks, wheat could be ready for grazing earlier than usual this fall. Grazing versus grain harvest considerations may affect the choice of wheat varieties to plant. The cost of wheat pas-

Council as a beef promotion entity that is authorized by state statute or is organized and operating within a state that receives voluntary contributions and conducts beef promotion, research, and consumer information programs, and that is recognized by the Board (CBB) as the beef promotion entity within such State. As clearly stated by federal law, the contribution to state beef councils is voluntary. KCA opposes the proposed provision. The provision provides an opportunity for producers

to choose to direct the full $1.00-per-head federal assessment to the Beef Board. KCA contends that the choice of the producer, as defined by law, is a choice to contribute. As defined in the Beef Act, the contribution to Qualified State Beef Councils is voluntary. Inherently, the producer must take action to make said contributions to respective beef councils, as the producer must consent in order for it to be a truly voluntary contribution. The proposed changes bypass the lawfully provided right of (See CHECKOFF on page 33)

Closing prices on September 13, 2016 Bartlett Grain Red Wheat............ $ 2.69 White Wheat ....... $ 2.69 Milo .................... $ 2.15 Corn ................... $ 2.70 Soybeans (new crop) $ 8.44 Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 2.76 White Wheat ....... $ 2.76 Milo (bu.)............. $ 2.20 Corn.................... $ 2.75 Soybeans ........... $ 8.44 Sunflowers.......... $ 14.40 ADM Grain Wheat.................. Milo (bu.)............. Corn.................... Soybeans............ Sunflowers..........

$ 2.81 $ 2.40 $ 2.80 $ 8.44 $ 14.90

(See GRAZING on page 29)

Sept. 6

92 67 .06

Sept. 7

89 65

Sept. 8

88 67

Sept. 9

84 57

Sept. 10

81 44

Sept. 11

92 53

Sept. 12

76 58

Moisture Totals

September .06 2016 Total

18.01

Food Facts Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D.

The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Keeping soil covered will pay off with added yields Of the several practices USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends to improve soil health and sustainability, one of the most important is to keep the soil covered. In corn and soybean fields, the starting point is maintaining the post-harvest crop residue on the soil surface. Crop residue is plant material remaining after harvesting, including leaves, stalks,

and roots. Crop residues form a protective blanket that benefits the soil by improving the infiltration of water into the soil and slowing the evaporation of water. Evaporation is drastically reduced when the surface of the soil is not absorbing the sun’s rays. Soil surface temperatures under residue-covered soils can be as much as 40 degrees cooler than bare

tilled surfaces. The crop residue cover also protects the soil from wind and water erosion. Residue on the soil deflects the energy of raindrops and irrigation droplets that act like little bombs, blowing the soil particles apart and allowing the organic matter and nutrients to float away. Avoiding tillage that will destroy residue preserves existing root channels and earthworm

burrows that help water move throughout the soil. In addition, standing crop residue such as corn stalks and wheat stubble catch snow. This can yield up to two inches of soil moisture during the winter. Producers who have implemented continuous, long-term no-till systems can lose nutrients by removing crop residue. Crop nutrients removed by baling and removing corn stalks can be costly

to replace. For example, nutrient content in a ton of corn stover are 18 pounds of nitrogen, four pounds of phosphorus, 30 pounds of potassium, and three pounds of sulfur. A typical 200-bushel corn yield produces about five tons of stover. That can add up to $24 per ton or about $60 an acre if you only removed half the residue. Residue benefits live-

Beef supply surge could be coming in U.S. A beef supply surge could be headed towards cold storage. The buildup is likely to come because of higher feedlot placements in the spring, says Rich Nelson, chief strategist with Allendale, Inc. March feedlot placements were up five percent from 2015 with a total of 1.89 million head of cattle entering feedlots. The trend continued to increase with April placements up seven percent and May rising by 10 percent compared to 2015. USDA Cattle on Feed reports have shown the placement numbers slowing down with June increasing just three per-

cent and July up two percent from the previous year. “Keep in mind we’re going to have a contraseasonal issue in the beef industry,” Nelson adds. Weekly kills have been approximately 579,000 head during August, but by mid- to late-September it should rise to the 621,000 head level. Beef cold storage was up two percent to end July compared to last year, according to USDA. Cold storage was also up two percent from the previous month with more than 460 million pounds in warehouses. Nelson doesn’t expect the increased beef sup-

Biosecurity Biosecurity is the most effective method of disease control. Tarpoff will share how livestock producers can control disease by controlling animal movement. His program will include biosecurity tips related to all livestock types and operations. The Extension veterinarian joined the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry as an assistant professor in June. He works closely with the state’s Extension program to help improve

Moreover, with significantly higher stocking densities for graze-out, a single of stockers will likely only graze out a subset of winter grazed acres. Another possibility is to plan for two sets of stockers with the first set marketed in January followed by a second set that will complete graze-out in May. This may be even

(continued from page 28)

the health of cow-calf, stocker and feedlot cattle. Previously, he worked as a feedlot veterinarian focusing on herd-based production medicine, disease surveillance, mitigation and federal import and export issues. The 62nd Annual 3i Show is a free-admission farm show in Dodge City which showcases hundreds of exhibitors and demonstrations for those in the agriculture industry. The show runs Oct. 13-15 at the Western State Bank Expo Center. Show

Grazing

ply to impact consumer beef prices. However, he believes live cattle should fall. Estimates from Allendale project cash cattle to fall to $108/cwt. this month. It may be challenging for cow-calf producers selling calves in the coming months, says Nelson. The prospects for a bull market aren’t looking likely with the current expansion situation in poultry and pork. “On the good news side, producers have started to cut back already. Cow slaughter is up and we’re putting these open heifers in feedlots,” Nelson says. “The downside, it won’t help us until 2018.”

hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Oct. 15. With more than 1,000 companies participating. For more information about the Livestock Biosecurity program, contact the Ford County Extension office at 620227-4542. For more information about the 3i Show, email the Western Kansas Manufacturer’s As s o ciatio n at info@3ishow.com or visit www.3ishow.com.

(continued from page 28)

more feasible with the prospects for early initiation of grazing this fall. These alternatives may impact the preferred choice of purchase weights and target selling weights for both sets of stockers. For example, 550 pound fall stockers could be marketed at roughly 750 pounds in mid-January (or perhaps a bit heavier if grazing starts

early). A second set of 550 pound stockers in midJanuary, will reach roughly 850 pounds by early to mid-May with the higher graze-out rates of gain. The availability of fall pasture along with adequate hay supplies may provide additional flexibility in timing for receiving/backgrounding stockers for fall and winter grazing programs.

Certified Seed Wheat

Brawl CL Plus $8.00 bu. $ 8.00 bu. Byrd $ Hatcher 8.00 bu.

Seed Sales Call Jim at (785) 443-1062

Reg. Oakley CL $12.50 bu. Sunshine HWW $8.00 bu. $ T-158 8.00 bu.

Seed Cleaning & Treating Call George at (785) 443-1053

Triple T Farms, Inc. Colby, Ks. • (785) 443-1062

stock producers as well. Studies have shown that utilizing cornstalks for winter grazing can result in three to eight or more bushels of grain yield in the following crop. The reason is that the animals are not removing the remaining residue. Crop residue provides several benefits for many types of agriculture systems. So remember, if you want healthy soil - keep it covered.

The Scott County Record

Fall Harvest 2016

Page 30 - Thursday, September 15, 2016

Monsanto, Bayer merger will draw scrutiny Bayer and Monsanto announced Wednesday they have signed “a definitive merger agreement” selling Monsanto to the German-based company for $66 billion, or $128 per share. If ultimately approved by anti-trust regulators, the deal would create the world’s biggest supplier of crop protection products and seed, dominat-

ing more than 30% of the market. The merged business will keep its global Seeds and Traits and North American commercial headquarters in St. Louis, the current home office of Monsanto. The global Crop Protection and Crop Science headquarters will remain at Bayer’s current offices in Monheim, Germany.

They will keep “an important presence” in Durham, N.C., “as well as many other locations throughout the U.S. and around the world.” The Digital Farming division will be based in San Francisco. “This represents a major step forward for our Crop Science business and reinforces Bayer’s leadership position as a global

EPA ‘abused discretion’ by releasing producer information to activists Angela Bowman, associate editor Pork Network

The U.S. EPA may stand behind its decision to release sensitive, personal information on as many as 100,000 farmers and ranchers to environmental groups in 2013, but now an appeals court is forcing the EPA to defend itself yet again in an ongoing lawsuit filed by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). A Little Background It all started with a 2013 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by three activist organizations - Earthjustice, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Natural Resources Defense Council - for EPA’s Office of Water

records with information about concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) collected from farmers and ranchers in 29 states. This information included the legal name of the CAFO’s owner, the owner’s mailing address, e-mail address and primary telephone number. Data from as many as 100,000 producers were released to the activist groups. Agricultural stakeholders raised their concerns, leading the EPA to conduct its own investigation. The EPA ultimately stood by its decision but amended its response to the activist organizations, asking them to return the data. The groups complied. The agency later reissued the data after redacting some of the information, though the NPPC

alleged it still contained personal information. Outrage from Farm Groups Several congressional Republicans quickly criticized the EPA and demanded to know what it was doing to prevent future, similar releases. A Farm Bill amendment introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Ia.) and Joe Donnelly (DInd.) sought to block the EPA from distributing the names of farmers and ranchers to activists groups again. In the wake of EPA releasing the data, the NPPC and AFBF filed an injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to block the government agency from publicly releasing more data under FOIA requests (See EPA on page 33)

innovation driven Life Science company with leadership positions in its core segments, delivering substantial value to shareholders, our customers, employees and society at large,” said Bayer CEO Werner Baumann. Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant cited the all-cash aspect of the recently sweetened offer. “Today’s announce-

ment is a testament to everything we’ve achieved and the value that we have created for our stakeholders at Monsanto,” Grant said. “We believe that this combination with Bayer represents the most compelling value for our shareowners.” Monsanto’s Board of Directors, Bayer’s Board of Management and Bayer’s Supervisory

Board unanimously approved the agreement, the companies said. Leading the Market Bayer positioned the deal as bringing “together two different, but highly complementary businesses. The combined business will benefit from Monsanto’s leadership in Seeds and Traits and (See MONSANTO on page 31)

The Scott County Record

Fall Harvest 2016

Page 31 - Thursday, September 15, 2016

Wheat growers welcome trade enforcement action U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome the Obama Administration’s trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The significant investigative effort by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the USDA followed five years of work by

USW, NAWG and other industry partners to demonstrate how China’s domestic support policies hurt U.S. farmers. This enforcement action challenges the level of China’s trade-distorting market price support programs for wheat as well as for corn and rice. In describing its action, USTR said “the level of support provided through these programs in excess

Monsanto Climate Corporation platform along with Bayer’s broad Crop Protection product line across a comprehensive range of indications and crops in all key geographies. “As a result, growers will benefit from a broad set of solutions to meet their current and future needs, including enhanced solutions in seeds and traits, digital agriculture, and crop protection.” Bayer said that over time, the combined company “will be able to accelerate innovation and provide customers with enhanced solutions and an optimized product suite based on analytical agronomic insight supported by Digital Farming applications. These are expect-

of China’s commitment was nearly $100 billion.” These programs cost U.S. wheat farmers between $650 and $700 million annually in lost income by pre-empting export opportunity and suppressing global prices, according to a 2016 Iowa State University study sponsored by USW associates. That loss estimate is actually 19 percent more

(continued from page 30)

ed to result in significant and lasting benefits for farmers: from improved sourcing and increased convenience to higher yield, better environmental protection and sustainability.” The combined company could reach $67 billion in sales and occupy the top spot in seed and crop chemicals, according to industry reports. Farmer Concern But some U.S. farmers and farmer groups have expressed reservations that such a deal would benefit farmers. “The National Farmers Union is troubled by the latest news of a proposed Bayer buyout of Monsanto, perpetuating a

Beef Stocker Field Day in Manhattan on Sept. 22 The beef cattle outlook, parasite and fly control options as well as technology applications for beef cattle operations are among topics planned for the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 22. The day is designed to provide the latest practical information for producers to aid decision making in the current dynamic beef industry environment. The event starts with registration and coffee at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:15 a.m. A barbecue lunch is provided and the day ends with an evening social, the “Cutting Bull’s Lament 2016” at 5:30 p.m. A panel of producers talking about pasture burning issues and other presentations are on the agenda. •Beef Cattle Outlook •Producer Panel: Pasture Burning - The necessity, alternatives and consequences •Animal Health Research Update •Receiving Diets - Implications on Health and Performance •Parasite and Fly Control Options •Technology Applications for Beef Cattle Operations •Beef Cattle Handling More information is available at www.KSUbeef.org or by contacting Lois Schreiner at 785-532-1267 or lschrein@ksu.edu.

disturbing trend of further consolidation in the agricultural input sector, including seeds and crop protection products. We have continuously expressed our concern about the outcomes of further industry consolidation, such as the recent proposed merger between Dow Chemical and DuPont. “Family farmers, ranchers and consumers are the ones that lose out when we cripple competition, increase prices, and reduce innovation through industry megadeals,” says Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union, said earlier this year, when the Bayer/ Monsanto proposal was first announced.

than the losses estimated by a similar 2015 study due to the effect of increasing global stocks and resulting market price decline. “Wheat production subsidies in China and other advanced developing countries are the single biggest policy issue affecting our farm gate prices and global trade flows,” said USW associates President Alan Tracy.

“In taking this step, USTR and USDA are demonstrating that trade enforcement can ensure that our many trade agreements and a pro-trade agenda really work for American farmers.” “This enforcement action shows a welcome willingness to defend farmers against governments that blatantly disregard the rules of the road under their trade

agreements,” said NAWG President Gordon Stoner, a wheat grower from Outlook, MT. “It comes at a critical time for farmers who have seen market prices collapse to unsustainable levels in recent years.” A 2014 study by DTB Associates, also sponsored by USW, showed that China’s minimum procurement price of (See TRADE on page 32)

The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Kansas weather data system expands KSU adds data collection sites to growing network MANHATTAN - They may look like something E.T. put together to phone home, but the surprisingly sturdy weather stations being installed around Kansas quietly detect and record precipitation, air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and speed, and solar radiation. The stations are part of Kansas Mesonet, an expanding network of weather stations that collect data for Kansas State University. New stations have been added in Kearny County (Lakin), Morton County (Richfield), Seward County (but near Satanta, which is in Haskell County), and Sumner County, near Viola. These are in addition to 51 existing stations. The data collected is available to the public online at http://mesonet.kstate.edu/. The information can be useful for science teachers, construction companies, farmers,

Trade about $10 per bushel for wheat, in addition to other subsidies, violates China’s WTO commitments. That market price support is so high that the Chinese government has to purchase and store enormous stocks of domestic wheat. As a result, USDA estimates that by June 2017, China will hold 44 percent of the world’s wheat stocks, which will be at record levels and further depress market prices. This also hurts Chinese

gardeners, and anyone who is curious about the weather in their location or across the state. Kansas Mesonet is located within the K-State Department of Agronomy and is part of K-State Extension. It is also part of the Weather Data Library and State Climate Office with automated data extending back as far as 1985. Paper records also go back into the 1800s. “Adding new weather stations helps us give Kansas citizens and others an ever more complete picture of weather, including trends, across the state,” said Chip Redmond, K-State assistant scientist and Kansas Mesonet manager. “We appreciate everyone in the communities who work with us to pursue funding, assist with logistics, host a station and help with maintaining them. It requires a unified effort to make these stations possible.”

(continued from page 31)

flour millers who are forced to purchase overpriced domestic wheat from these stocks and hurts their customers who pay more for the flour. Noted Iowa State University agricultural economist Dr. Dermot Hayes conducted the 2015 and 2016 studies of domestic support effects. In reviewing the 2016 study results, which compared a base case including China’s current support to a new scenario in

which the factors represented by China’s policies were removed, Dr. Hayes said farmers there would grow less wheat because domestic prices would fall and input costs would increase. “In our comparison, that would benefit farmers in the United States and other wheat exporting countries as China would need to increase its imports to more than nine million metric tons,”

Dr. Hayes said. “The corresponding lift in wheat exports would increase U.S. farm income from wheat by 19 cents per bushel.” “Especially in a time when Kansas wheat farmers are facing low commodity prices, we applaud the USTR’s efforts to ensure a fair and level playing field in the global marketplace for wheat growers,” said Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat.

The Scott County Record

Fall Harvest 2016

Page 33 - Thursday, September 15, 2016

International trade looms Checkoff larger for cattle, beef markets Markets work best and most efficiently not by stopping and starting abruptly but by gently tapping the brakes or the accelerator as conditions change. International trade of cattle and beef is a significant buffer that reduces drastic market swings in U.S. markets. In 2014 and 2015, record high U.S. prices reduced supplies and had the expected effect of stimulating beef imports and cattle imports while dampening beef exports. A strong U.S. dollar exaggerated those effects both ways. Increased beef imports augmented supplies of beef, especially supplies of lean processing beef (primarily for ground beef) and moderated what would have been an even more extreme impact on domestic demand in a period of record prices. Beef exports decreased as record high prices rationed demand in both the domestic and international markets.

2016 is reversing those impacts. Beef exports are recovering, albeit rather slowly and unevenly. July beef exports were up 8 percent to all destinations. Year to date beef exports are up 3.1 percent with year over year increases to Japan, Mexico and South Korea. Exports to Canada and Hong Kong are still down year over year though Hong Kong posted a year over year increase for July. The dollar has moderated against several currencies, the Japanese Yen in particular, but still represents a headwind for beef exports. Beef imports were down 6.8 percent for July with the year to date total down 12.1 percent. Imports from Australia have been down sharply every month this year and are down 31.2 percent for the first seven months this year. Beef imports from Australia increased the most the past two years as record high U.S. prices coincided with drought forced liquidation in Reversal in 2016 Australia that increased Increased beef produc- short run beef production and lower prices in tion. Imports have also

EPA until a court could clarify EPA’s obligation to keep personal information about citizens private. However, U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery dismissed the case and concluded the NPPC and AFBF lacked standing because “the information released by EPA was already publicly available and that CAFOs had yet to see any injury due to the release of the information.” The NPPC and AFBF appealed shortly after the ruling and requested an-

decreased from Brazil for the latest monthly data and for the year to date. Other beef import flows are in flux with Mexico down in July, but still up for the year to date. By contrast New Zealand, Nicaragua, and Uruguay were all up in July but are still down for the year. Beyond short term market conditions, trade flows are impacted by longer term conditions in various countries and structural changes that alter the long term trajectory of beef and cattle trade flows. For example, China has emerged as the second largest beef importer in recent years as consumption exceeds beef production; making China a global beef market participant for the first time. The U.S. does not yet have direct access to the Chinese market, but the impacts are already evident in global markets and are expected to continue to grow. Closer to home, Mexico’s growth in beef production and processing and growing exports has a number of direct impacts on the U.S. market. In 2015, roughly 90 percent of Mexican beef

imports moved to the U.S. making Mexico the fourth largest source of beef imports in the U.S. At the same time, increased demand for Mexican cattle in Mexico is reducing the flow of Mexican feeder cattle to the U.S. Cattle imports from Mexico were down 54.1 percent year over year in July and are down 20.9 percent for the year date. This is likely a permanent or at least, long-lived decrease in Mexican cattle exports. Decreased beef imports and growing beef exports will play a central role in stabilizing cattle and beef prices in the U.S. as production expands in the coming years. Along with domestic beef demand, international demand for U.S. beef will determine just how big the U.S. beef industry needs to be as it grows. More than just total tonnage, beef exports and imports are critical in balancing the supply and demand of specific beef products. This helps maximize the value of every beef carcass in the U.S. market.

(continued from page 30)

other stay preventing the EPA from releasing any other information until the case was resolved. The stay was granted. Appellate Court Victory On Sept. 9, a federal appeals court unanimously overturned the lower court’s decision. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in St. Louis ruled that “the associations have established a concrete and particularized injury in fact traceable to the EPA’s action

and redressable by judicial relief.” “We therefore conclude the district court erred in dismissing this case for lack of standing,” the ruling stated. “We further determine that the EPA abused its discretion in deciding that the information at issue was not exempt from mandatory disclosure under Exemption 6 [personal privacy interests] of FOIA.” The case has now been “remanded for further proceedings.” NPPC President John

Weber praised the ruling. “EPA’s release of sensitive, private and personal materials on more than 100,000 farmers and ranchers was an outrageous abuse of its power and trust,” Weber said. “We are very pleased with the Court of Appeals’ decision to reinstate our lawsuit to prevent the EPA from doing this again.” He added, “NPPC will vigorously defend the rights and privacy of its producers against outrageous and unethical government actions.”

consent. The proposed change “opts-in” producers to contribute to QSBC’s without regard to any limit of contribution. KCA opposes this proposal on the basis that: 1) it is not actually clarifying regulation. It is, however, changing what is a voluntary program into a refundable program, shifting unnecessary burden to the producer, and 2) the producer has not been provided the opportunity to set limitations up to the maximum 50 cents per-head-marketed contribution under such a policy when automatically opt-

(continued from page 28)

ed-in by this regulation. KCA continues to support a mandatory, producer controlled, Beef Checkoff which provides funding for purposes that have the effect of increasing profitper-head. Additionally, KCA supports research, promotion, and Checkoff funding which work for the preservation and maintenance of strong competitive markets. However, KCA will only support provisions which maintain the integrity of the lawfully provided rights of the producers, according to KCA officials.

The Scott County Record • Page 34 • Thursday, September 15, 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

Berning Tree Service David Berning • Marienthal

620-379-4430

Tree Trimming and Removal Hedge and Evergreen Trimming Stump Removal

Fully Insured

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

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

The Scott County Record • Page 35 • Thursday, September 15, 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 (Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”... Technology Lead Chiropractic

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

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 20/20 Optometry

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

Help Wanted

Truck Driving

AUTO TECHS. Lubbers Chevrolet-Ford in Cheney has immediate openings. Min. two years experience in a repair facility or completion of tech school program. Signing bonus. Paid training, uniforms, vacation and life ins. policy. 401K, health, dental and vision. Discounted parts and vehicle purchases. Five day work week. No weekends required. Compensation varies with level of training/experience. 316- 542-7317 or rick_lubbers@lubberscars. com. ––––––––––––––––––––– EARN $500 A DAY. Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance wants insurance agents. Leads. No cold calls. Commissions paid daily. Agency training. Life license required. Call 1-888-713-6020. ––––––––––––––––––––– LAB TECH. MT or MLT, ASCP or equivalent. Progressive southeast Nebraska hospital. Phlebotomy skills required. Competitive pay scale, excellent benefits. Apply: www.jchc.us. Info: HR (402) 729-6850.

DRIVER TRAINEES needed. Become a driver for Stevens Transport. Earn $800 per week. Paid CDL training. Stevens covers all costs. 1-888749-2303. drive4stevens. com. ––––––––––––––––––––– CONVOY SYSTEMS is hiring Class A drivers to run from Kansas City to the west coast. Home weekly. Great benefits. www.convoysystems.com. Call Tina, ext. 301, or Lori, ext. 303, at 1-800926-6869.

Medical

Complete family eye center!

SCOTT CITY CLINIC

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

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti

Retail

Gene’s Appliance Over 200 appliances in stock!

PORTABLE OXYGEN concentrator. May be covered by Medicare. Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit. Call 800-731-1968. ––––––––––––––––––––– STOP OVERPAYING for your prescriptions. Save up to 93%. Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy service to compare prices and get $15.00 off your first prescription and free shipping. 1-800-981-6179. ––––––––––––––––––––– LIFE ALERT. 24/7. One press of a button sends help fast. Medical, fire, burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone. Free brochure. Call 800-605-3619.

For Sale DISH TV. 190 channels plus high speed Internet only $49.94/mo. Ask about a three year price guarantee and get Netflix included for one year. Call today. 1-800-6766809. ––––––––––––––––––––– DIRECTV. NFL Sunday Ticket (Free) w/choice of All-Included Package. $60/mo. for 24 months. No up-front costs or equipment to buy. Ask about next day installation. 1- 800-261-7086.

Sports/Outdoors 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.

Homes 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. Get an on-line subscription for your college student

Have questions about the Scott Community Foundation?

COMPARE OUR PRICES!

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

call 872-3790 or e-mail julie@scottcf.org

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

District 11 AA Meetings Dining

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

www.reganjewelers.com

412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142

Scott City

Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. • 8:00 p.m. 807 Kingsley Last Sat., Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m. All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118

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

Classifieds

The Scott County Record • Page 36 • Thursday, September 15, 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. If not paid in advance, there will be a $1 billing charge. Tear sheet for classified ad will be $1 extra.

Rentals

Vehicles

HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available. Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, 620-874-2120. 41tfc

2008 SHENKE SCOOTER for sale in Scott City. Runs. $600. Call 816-5911637. 0516tfc

Services PLAINJAN’S RENTAL houses and duplexes. Stop COMPUTER SERVICby the office or call 620ES for PC and Mac com872-5777. 05tfc puters. Computer repair ________________________________ and virus removal. Call PLAINJAN’S RENT-Aor email Josh at OsComp SHOP New Introductory to schedule an appointPricing! We can build an ment. 24-hour help line office to suit your needs. 620-376-8660 or email This includes AC and heat josh_4974@hotmail.com. if wanted. Each Rent-A––––––––––––––––––– Shop comes with 110 and WANTED: Yards to a 220 electric, overhead mow and clean up, etc. lighting, full concrete Trim smaller trees and floor, exterior dawn-dusk bushes too. Call Dean lighting, insulated roof Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or and exterior walls. ONLY 874-4135. 34tfc 2 LEFT! Call today at –––––––––––––––––––– 620-872-5777. 4516tfc FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn Agriculture mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern WANT TO BUY. Stored Soodsma, 872-2277 or corn. Call for basis and 874-1412. 4015tfc contract information. –––––––––––––––––––– 1-800-579-3645. Lane MOWER REPAIR, County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc tune-up and blade sharp____________________ ening. Call Rob Vsetecka WANT TO BUY. Wheat at 620-214-1730. 4515tfc straw delivered. Call for contracting information. Help Wanted Lane County Feeders, 397-5341. 44tfc PART-TIME WAIT____________________ RESS wanted for The CERTIFIED SEED Broiler Resturant and Bar. WHEAT: TAM 204, Apply in person only and TAM 112, Oakley Cl, ask for Deb. 102 Main Byrd, T158, Mint, Joe, Street, Scott City. 0516t1c Antero, Turkey Red. Also, ________________________________ top grazing and hay/silage FEED MILL MANAGtriticale varieties. Vance ER for large commercial Ehmke, Healy, Ks. Call feedyard in Perryton, Tex. 620-397-2350. 5216t9 Competitive salary and ––––––––––––-–––––––– benefits. Please contact CERTIFIED SEED Keith at 806-282-7588 or WHEAT FOR SALE! David at 806-202-0209. Byrd; T158; Mint; Kan- 0616t3 Mark. We have brand new 80 ft. scales to weigh out. Lundgren Seed and Supply, Gove, Ks. 67736. Cell-785-673-9047 or home-785-938-4404. 0216t7 ________________________________

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 GARAGE SALE 1011 Jackson Street Scott City Sat., Sept. 17 • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Plus size clothing, Furniture, Tools and Misc. Priced to Sell! No early birds, please. Down sizing. Everything must go!

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 37 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

Employment Opportunities

Irrigation Nevada and a water transportation system. Western Kansas’ only significant water source is the Ogallala. Unlike in California, where national headlines, severe water use restrictions and images of cracked earth bear testament to the ravages of drought, the crisis unfolding on Peterson’s farm and others like it across western Kansas is mostly invisible. It’s taking place underground, in a sparsely populated rural area - out of sight, out of mind for most Americans. The vast freshwater reservoir beneath the prairie formed five million to 10 million years ago as streams draining from the Rocky Mountains deposited water in the clay, sand and gravel beneath the Great Plains. The water lay there undisturbed for epochs until enterprising homesteaders who settled the West discovered the liquid bonanza that would make their arid land bloom. Now, in a geological blink of an eye, the Ogallala, which made the Great Plains the nation’s breadbasket, is in peril. The disappearing water supply poses a twofold danger. It could end a way of life in a region where the land and its bounty have been purchased by the toil and sweat of generations of farmers. It also threatens a harvest worth $21 billion a year to Kansas alone and portends a fast-approaching, and largely unstoppable, water crisis across the parched American West. The End is Near With water levels already too low to pump in some places, Western Kansas farmers have been forced to acknowledge that the end is near. That harsh reality is testing the patience and imagination of those who rely on the land for their livelihoods. As they look for survival, farmers are using cutting-edge technologies to make the most efficient use of the water they have left. They’re contemplating something almost unimaginable just a generation ago: voluntary pacts with their neighbors to reduce irrigation. And many are investing their long-term hopes in an astronomically expensive water transportation project that isn’t likely ever to be built. The Arkansas River, which once flowed out of Colorado into western Kansas, is nothing but a dry ditch now, its riverbed reduced to a rugged obstacle course for all-terrain vehicles. Average rainfall here is just 14 to 16 inches a year, nowhere near enough to replace the water that farmers draw from the Ogallala. Kansas enjoyed a rainier-than-normal spring this year, easing several years of drought conditions throughout the state. But, the relief is temporary. Rains that soaked the state in recent months won’t alter the Ogallala’s fate, experts say. “I feel hopeful for

The Scott County Record • Page 38 • Thursday, September 15, 2016

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California. If it starts raining and snowing, their problem may somewhat take care of itself until the next drought,” said Daniel Devlin, director of the Kansas Water Resources Institute at Kansas State University. “Our problem is going to be here rain or shine.” That’s because the recharge rate for the Ogallala in this part of Kansas is less than 10 percent. So for every 10 inches pumped out a year, less than one inch is replaced, even in the best conditions. Once emptied, it would take 6,000 years to refill the Ogallala naturally. Evident for Decades Kansans have known this grim math for decades. They use the term “mining water” to describe pumping the aquifer for irrigation, a term that equates water - its value and its finite supply - with oil and precious metals. But, for a growing number of farmers and ranchers in this part of the state, the consequences of mining water no longer exist far off in some hazy future. They are already here. “It’s not that I can say, ‘Oh, this is the next people’s problem,’” Peterson said. “No, this is my problem. It’s happening now.” Peterson has seen his own well yields drop by more than half since 2009. Back then, he could pump 5,400 gallons per minute from 15 wells. But, Peterson had to rely heavily on the aquifer during the recent drought, when his farm received less than seven inches of rainfall a year for four years. Now those wells pump just 2,600 gallons per minute for the same acres, and the water must be drawn from ever deeper underground, driving up the cost of running electricor gas-powered pumps. “The only thing I can do to conserve is to cut back acres,” Peterson said.

“So my revenue stream, my whole operation, has been dinged pretty hard, and then drought on top of that. It’s been brutal.” Essential for Ag The Ogallala Aquifer supplies water for 20 percent of the corn, wheat, sorghum and cattle produced in the U.S. It sprawls 174,000 square miles across eight states, from South Dakota to Texas, and can hold more than enough water to fill Lake Huron and part of Lake Ontario. But, for every square mile of aquifer, there’s a well. About 170,000 of them. Ninety percent of the water pumped out is used to irrigate crops. Peterson’s great-grandfather helped drill one of the first wells for irrigation in Stanton County in 1939. At first, farmers used flood irrigation, but that method wasted a lot of water through runoff and evaporation. By the 1970s, selfpropelled “center pivot” irrigation had revolutionized agriculture across the High Plains. These giant wheeled sprinklers rotate in a circle, converting once-square fields of flood-irrigated crops that appear to air travelers from above as a quilt of green circles on a sepia backdrop. With widespread irrigation, farmers were able to grow more water-intensive crops, such as corn. Much of the corn grown in Western Kansas goes to fatten cattle on feedlots scattered across the prairie. The corn also goes to ethanol plants that process it into fuel. The economy grew as prices and production went up, but water levels dropped. Over the years, there have been multiple attempts to address the rapid decline of the aquifer. Water rights holders in much of western Kansas had to install flow

meters in all their wells starting in the mid-1990s. Soon all wells in Kansas will have to be metered. The state government has stopped issuing new permits to pump water from the Ogallala in areas of western Kansas where water levels have dropped the most. Now Gov. Sam Brownback has pledged to make water policy a central pillar of his administration. The final draft of his 50-year “water vision” for the state outlines an incentive- and educationbased approach focused on encouraging voluntary, coordinated conservation efforts by the farmers who

have the most to lose by the aquifer’s decline. The state would have to cut its irrigated acres in half today to get anywhere close to sustainability, said Bill Golden, an agricultural economist from Kansas State. But, it isn’t as simple as turning off the sprinklers. “People survived out here on dryland farming. I can do it,” Peterson said, using the term “dryland” to refer to growing crops without irrigation. “Here’s the cost: My community is going to wither away.” An irrigated field in Southwest Kansas produces more than eight times as much corn per acre on

average than a field that isn’t irrigated, according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Land values would drop. The loss of equity and tax base would mean fewer farmers and bigger farms, consolidated school districts and impoverished towns with declining populations. Like any economy dependent on mining a finite resource, this one is headed for a bust, and the farmers know it. “We can’t wait another 30 years to get our policy right,” Scott said. “The drought in California is showing what living in denial can do.”

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