A heating and air conditioning system that came with a somewhat unexpected price tag north of $900,000 in 2015, left some uneasiness with the Great Bend Public Library’s spending the past few years. A new director and increased communication has improved the relationship between the library and City of Great Bend. Another public display of that occurred Monday night as the Great Bend City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the library concerning maintenance of the facility.

Library Director Gail Santy felt like the new memorandum brings clarity of who is responsible for tasks.

Gail Santy Audio

The City has always owned the building that houses the library at 1409 Williams Street, but there has never been a formalized agreement regarding maintenance. The new deal is a three-year agreement and is expected to renew automatically following the three years.

Under the new memorandum, the library is responsible for all maintenance up to $5,000. Anything more than $5,000 will be brought before the City. Library staff will also continue upkeep on the grounds except for the two raised flower planters on the corners along Broadway Avenue.

Santy noted the library and City are working to prioritize future capital improvement and maintenance projects and making sure funding is saved for those upcoming needs. Santy listed new roofing, lighting, and carpet as items that could pop up in the next five to 10 years.

In 2015, the library board approved a $920,000 HVAC system that was unexpected by the City. Great Bend put the library on an 8-and-a-quarter year loan for the HVAC system.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to grocery stores in areas designated as “food deserts” by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Healthy Food Access for All Americans (HFAAA) Act would benefit low-income rural and urban communities that have limited or no access to nutritious food by providing incentives to food service providers such as grocers, retailers, and nonprofits who expand access to nutritious foods in underserved communities.

“Living in the breadbasket of our nation, it is easy to forget that chronic hunger is still prevalent in many of our own communities,” said Sen. Moran. “It is estimated that food insecurity threatens nearly 1 in 6 Kansans, and yet many grocery stores in both rural and urban communities are struggling to stay open. Our bipartisan Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act would incentivize food providers to establish and renovate grocery stores, food banks and farmers markets in communities that traditionally lack affordable and convenient food options. All Kansans and Americans, regardless of where they live, deserve access to healthy food.”

“Locally owned, independent grocers are the bedrock of their communities, spurring economic growth and providing access to healthy and affordable food choices. On behalf of our members, the National Grocers Association applauds Senator Warner for his efforts to work towards a solution that tackles the barriers to entry faced by grocers in rural and urban communities that are without a supermarket. We look forward to working with Congress on a bipartisan basis to move this important piece of legislation forward,” said Greg Ferrara, Executive Vice President of the National Grocers Association.

“Feeding America commends Senator Warner for confronting the unfortunate fact that the burdens faced by the 40 million Americans living with hunger are even worse for those who live in food deserts. Our network of 200 member food banks understands that areas without affordable, healthy food options have higher rates of food insecurity exacerbated by the lack access to adequate transportation to the nearest food pantry or grocery market. Feeding America supports the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act and believes it is a critical step to give nonprofits and retailers support to increase food access in underserved areas,” said Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America.

“Everyone deserves access to fresh produce and a place to shop for groceries in their community. This legislation will create jobs, improve health, and prevent hunger by supporting the development of food banks, grocery stores and farmers markets in low-income, underserved areas,” said Yael Lehmann, President and CEO of The Food Trust.

“Grocery stores and healthy, affordable food options are out of reach for many of the neighbors we help in the Richmond community. Imagine having to take a 45-minute bus, one way, just to get groceries for your family. There is no one solution for food deserts; to tackle this issue will require collaboration across the non-profit, for-profit and government sectors. The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act is a significant step in the right direction. By empowering hunger-relief organizations like Feed More to improve access to nutritious food in low-income communities, we will be able to provide these neighbors with a hand up in their times of need,” said Doug Pick, President and CEO of Feed More.

“Bread for the World is encouraged to see a bipartisan effort to address food deserts and improve access to nutritious food in low-income and underserved communities in America. Hunger costs the U.S. economy at least $160 billion in poor health outcomes and additional health care costs every year. This bill is an important step to reduce hunger and improve health across the country,” said Heather Valentine, Director of Government Relations of Bread for the World.

“Grocery stores and supermarkets play a vital role in the health and welfare of the communities we serve.  Developing a successful enterprise that can thrive financially and socially in the long-term is a multi-tiered process that requires community support, economic investment and creative partnerships.  The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act is an important and common sense approach to addressing the problem of underserved communities and expanding access to healthy food choices.  It establishes incentives to bring together the elements necessary to create successful operations and expand healthy food options, while recognizing the opportunities presented by technology and the changing nature of the marketplace.  The HFAAA is an important step in addressing the issue of underserved populations and food deserts; Food Marketing institute is pleased to support this effort,” said Andy Harig, Senior Director of Sustainability, Tax, and Trade, Food Marketing Institute.

“To end childhood hunger in America, we must ensure that low-income families have access to healthy, affordable food options. Ending food deserts will help more families put food on the table and help children get the nutrition they need to grow up healthy, educated and strong. Share Our Strength supports The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act and thanks Sens. Warner, Moran, Casey, Capito and Rep. Ryan for their leadership on this issue,” said Billy Shore, Founder and Executive Chair of Share our Strength.

An estimated 37 million Americans live in food deserts – areas with no grocery stores within one or more miles in urban regions, and ten or more miles in rural regions. Individuals who live in communities with low-access to healthy food options are at higher risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

The HFAAA Act – which defines a grocery market as a retail sales store with at least 35 percent of its selection (or forecasted selection) dedicated to selling fresh produce, poultry, dairy, and deli items – would spark investment in food deserts across the country that have a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher, or a median family income of less than 80 percent of the median for the state or metro area. It would grant tax credits or grants to food providers who service low-access communities and attain a “Special Access Food Provider” (SAFP) certification through the Treasury Department. Incentives would be awarded based on the following structure:

• New Store Construction – Companies that construct new grocery stores in a food desert will receive a onetime 15 percent tax credit after receiving certification.
• Retrofitting Existing Structures – Companies that make retrofits to an existing store’s healthy food sections can receive a onetime 10 percent tax credit after the repairs certify the store as an SAFP.
• Food Banks – Certified food banks that build new (permanent) structures in food deserts will be eligible to receive a onetime grant for 15 percent of their construction costs.
• Temporary Access Merchants – Certified temporary access merchants (i.e. mobile markets, farmers markets, and some food banks) that are 501(c)(3)s will receive grants for 10 percent of their annual operating costs.

HODGEMAN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Monday in Hodgeman County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Impala driven by Aaron Christopher Shelton, 27, Jetmore, was west bound on Kansas 156 six miles east of Jetmore.

The Chevy traveled left of center and struck an eastbound 1994 Ford truck driven by Barbara Cossman, 59, Jetmore. After the collision, the Chevy spun off into the north ditch and came to rest on its top.

Shelton was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Beckwith Funeral Home. Cossman was not injured and not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Monday’s Barton County Commission meeting was the last for board Chair Alicia Straub. Straub is moving into her new role as state representative. She will represent the 113th District in the Kansas House after winning last week’s election by Republican Committee members to replace Greg Lewis, who resigned in February due to health concerns.

Straub was emotional as she thanked county staff for their help and assistance over her four years as a Commissioner. Jennifer Shartz, who will take over the commission chair position, had this advice for Straub as she heads to Topeka.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

Straub’s 4th District replacement will be determined by the Barton County Republican Committee, which will convene in a special meeting later this month or in early April to vote on a candidate who will serve on the commission for the next two years.

Great Bend will be the second of three free hearing screenings, funded by the Kansas Masons, offered again this spring in western Kansas communities by Fort Hays State University.

“The FHSU Herndon Clinic in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is very fortunate to have received a large grant from the Kansas Masons to support adult speech, language and hearing services in Western Kansas,” said Marcy Beougher, speech-language pathologist and an instructor in the department.

The grant is continuing to provide numerous opportunities for individuals of all ages in western Kansas to receive important health screening services that are currently scarce or difficult to access.

“With Mason support and funding, we have visited 16 different communities in two and a half years and have screened nearly 600 people,” said Beougher. “We are thankful to the Masons for the opportunity to help provide free hearing screenings in Western Kansas and to make necessary and important medical and audiological referrals. We are also very grateful for the clinical hours these screenings provide for our graduate students.”

The screening will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the Barton County Health Department, 1300 Kansas Ave., Great Bend.

Appointments are encouraged to be scheduled ahead of time, but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site will have four stations, with each screening lasting approximately 15 minutes. Results, follow-up information and free ear plugs will also be provided. There will be no hearing aid sales.

Screenings are provided by graduate students from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Beougher will organize the screenings.

The last screening of the spring 2019 semester will be in Belleville. Time, date and actual screening site will be announced later.

“FHSU’s CSD Department feels this is truly a win-win situation as our graduate students receive valuable clinical hours and experience serving the public at these screenings, and many individuals benefit from the knowledge they receive about their hearing, as well as helpful follow-up information,” said Beougher.

“We are grateful as always to the Kansas Masons, who welcome us to their communities and support this endeavor financially so we can provide this much-needed service for no charge.”

To schedule an appointment for the Great Bend screening, contact Greg King at 620-617-3634 or gmking@316.live.

For more information, visit fhsu.edu/herndon-clinic/ or contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at 785-628-5366.

Barton County Commissioners Monday voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of new voting equipment for the Clerk’s Office to replace aging voting machines that have been used since 2005. Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman says the total cost to purchase the new voting system will be $183,903 and will come from the equipment replacement fund.

Donna Zimmerman Audio

Zimmerman explained to the board that the new system will replace 89 voting machines that were purchased in 2005 for $300,000. But at that time, 90 percent of the purchase cost was covered by a grant from the Help America Vote Act, federal monies are not available this time around.

It’s an expenditure that Commissioners including Jennifer Schartz have been anticipating.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

With the new system, once polls close, results will be placed on a fire stick and brought to the courthouse. Zimmerman says they should have the final results available in the same amount of time that they have had in the past.

The Barton County Young Professionals (BCYP) group is excited to again partner with the Great Bend Rotary Club to host the 7th Annual Charity Supply Drive on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The group will be collecting donations of non-perishable food and household supplies at Walmart and both Dillons grocery stores in Great Bend.

Non-perishable food will be donated to the Barton County Food Bank, and household supplies will be donated to the Catholic Charities non-food pantry.

The BCYP Community Impact Team is recruiting volunteers to work one-hour shifts at all three locations. Volunteers will pass out shopping lists to shoppers and collect donations of food and household supplies from customers.

To sign up for a one-hour shift, visit the Barton County Young Professionals Facebook page (@BartonYP) or visit https://fs23.formsite.com/GBChamber/bcypvolunteer/index.html.

For more information, visit www.BartonYP.com or find @BartonYP on Facebook.

Barton County Young Professionals (BCYP) exists to provide leadership, networking & volunteer opportunities. BCYP is a free membership organization for anyone 21-40ish who lives or works in the Barton County area. Over 750 individuals currently participate in BCYP membership. To learn more about the benefits of membership or to see an event schedule, visit www.BartonYP.com or call the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development at 620-792-2401.

3/15

BOOKED: Megan Wells of Salina on Stafford County District Court warrant for aggravated burglary, bond set in lieu of $50,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Chantel Poppelreiter on BTSO case for expired tags and tag not assigned to vehicle, bond is set at $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Kyler Dreiling of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for possession of controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Peter Zamarripa of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Gavin Farlow of Great Bend on a serve sentence.

BOOKED: Julian Huitron-Garcia of Great Bend for BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, bond is $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Richard Musil of Great Bend for GBMC case for driving while suspended, bond is $2,5000 C/S.

BOOKED: Martha Comfort of Great Bend for BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Chantel Poppelreiter on BTSO case for expired tags and tag not assigned to vehicle, posted bond of $500.

RELEASED: Nicholas Hicks back to KDOC.

RELEASED: Kyler Dreiling of Hoisington on BCDC warrant for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia after he posted a $1,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Richard Musil of Great Bend on a GBMC case for DWS after paying a $2,500 bond.

3/16

BOOKED: Chad Bryant of Ellinwood on EPD case for criminal threat, battery DV, bond set in lieu of $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Cody Crawford of Great Bend on BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, bond set in lieu of $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Nester Lopez-Barrera of Bazine for NSDC warrant distribute certain depressant within 1,000 feet of a school, bond of $75,000. RHDC warrant for failure to appear, bond at $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Juvenile of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for possession of marijuana, no headlight when needed, and restricted DL, no bond.

RELEASED: Chad Bryant of Ellinwood on EPD case for criminal threat, battery DV, posted $5,000 bond through A-1 Bail Bonding.

3/17

BOOKED: Karla Garcia of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for DUI, ITOL, and no headlights with a bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Apolonio Rios of Great Bend on BTDC case for DWS 3rd, failure to wear seat belt, bond set at $2,500 C/S. BTDC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $250 cash only. RNDC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $500 cash only. RNDC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $500 cash only.

BOOKED: Stephen Koch on BTDC case for DUI, bond is set in the amount of $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Najerri McFarland of Great Bend on SFDC case for DWS 3rd, no registration, speeding, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Jessie Brown on Russell County warrant for interference with LEO, no bond. Russell County case for disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property, and domestic battery, bond set in the amount of $5,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Juvenile of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for possession of marijuana, no headlight when needed and restricted DL after being released to JJA.

RELEASED: Karla Garcia of Great Bend on GBMC case for DUI, ITOL, and no headlights after posting a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Gavin D. Farlow on BCDC case with a serve sentence.

RELEASED: Apolonio Rios of Great Bend posted a $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding on BTDC case for DWS 3rd. Failure to wear seat belt, posted a $250 cash bond. BTDC warrant for failure to appear, posted a $500 cash bond. RNDC warrant for failure to appear, posted $500 cash bond x2.

RELEASED: Najerri McFarland of Great Bend posted a $2,500 surety bond through Dyn-O-mite Bail Bonding on SFDC case for DWS 3rd, no registration, speeding.