The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered (ABBB) is pleased to announce Julie Wondra has been promoted to partner.
“Julie has been a valued member of our team for more than a decade,” said Brian Staats, CPA, CGMA, managing partner of ABBB. “I know she will continue her commitment to going above and beyond for our clients in her new role. Congratulations, Julie!”
In her new role, Wondra will continue serving a variety of clients, leading the firm’s Manufacturing Industry team, and serving as the firm’s Affordable Care Act specialist.
Wondra graduated cum laude from Kansas State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and again in 2006 with a Master of Accountancy. After two years at a Big 4 accounting firm in Kansas City, she joined the ABBB team as a staff accountant in 2008. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA) and the Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA), Wondra is the 2013 recipient of the AICPA/KSCPA Women to Watch Emerging Leader award. In addition, she is a graduate of the KSCPA’s “20 up to 40” leadership program and Leadership McPherson. Wondra is a Claflin, Kansas native and currently resides in McPherson, Kansas.
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend Office. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu
With freezing drizzle predicted and wind chills in the single digits as I write this column it sounds a bit crazy to talk about going for a walk, but that is just what I’m going to do. Walk Kansas is a signature program for K-State Research and Extension that has been around since 2000. Each year this fitness challenge motivates people from all walks of life to get moving. The dates for the 2019 campaign are March 17 – May 11.
To participate in Walk KS you will need to start by recruiting a team of six people. Many times teams consist of family members, friends or co-workers. Come up with a fun name, register your team, and report the minutes that team members exercise each week, beginning March 17. All of the registration details can be accomplished on line. There is a fee of $8 per team member or $17 per person if all team members wish to order a t-shirt. Payment by check or cash will need to be made at either the Hays or Great Bend offices. Brenda and Theresa, our office professionals in the Great Bend and Hays offices can answer specific questions you may have as you register your teams.
On-line registration will open for residents of the Cottonwood Extension District the week of February 18. We would like to complete team registration by Monday, March 11 if possible.
Several interesting activities that support this fitness challenge are planned for the next few months. Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 21, and join me at noon at the Great Bend Activity Center for the program “Let’s Live a Little: Physical Activity for Fun and Fitness.” March programs focus on “Healthy Choices When Eating Out.” I helped update a K-State Research and Extension publication by the same title and am excited to share the information with everyone.
Join me Wednesday, March 6 at noon at the Great Bend Activity Center, or Friday, March 22 at 1 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior Center. My visit to Hays to present “Healthy Choices When Eating Out” is Thursday, March 14 , at 5:30 p.m. at the Extension office meeting room at 601 Main in Hays. A wrap up celebration for the Walk KS program is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, at noon at the Great Bend Activity Center. A free healthy luncheon will be provided for any Walk KS team member. The public may pre-register by May 3 for lunch by paying $5.
So get your walking shoes ready and your team pulled together and join the 2019 Walk KS program in your community!
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent and District Director for the Cottonwood Extension District – Great Bend office. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu
BOOKED: Jennifer Baldwin of Great Bend on BTDC case for aggravated assault, bond set at $20,000 C/S.
BOOKED: James Harbison on a Pawnee County District Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 cash only.
BOOKED: Rebecca Muckenthaler for a hold for court.
BOOKED: Billy Hamilton of Gorham on BTDC warrant for failure to appear, no bond.
BOOKED: Tyler Schwager on Barton County probation serve sentence.
BOOKED: Garrett Buckbee on Barton County District Court warrant for non-residential burglary, theft and criminal damage to property with a bond of $20,000 C/S.
BOOKED: Dale Byerly of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for disorderly conduct with a bond set at $250 C/S or 48-hour OR bond.
RELEASED: Melissa Loveall on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, released by order of court through GBMC Judge Pike.
RELEASED: Eric Ehster of Hoisington on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, released by order of the court through GBMC Judge Pike.
RELEASED: Andrew Delgadillo of Great Bend on BCDC warrant credited for time served. Transported to Ellis County Sheriff’s Office on their warrant.
RELEASED: James Harbison received a $100,000 OR bond on BTDC case. Released to Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office on a Pawnee County District Court warrant for failure to appear.
Sunny, with a high near 32. Wind chill values as low as -6. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Friday Night
Clear, with a low around 19. South southeast wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South southeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 42.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Monday
A chance of snow before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow between 11am and noon, then a chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night
A chance of rain before 9pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 9pm and 10pm, then a chance of snow after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Gov. Sam Brownback signed legislation in 2015 adding Kansas to the short list of states allowing unlicensed possession of concealed firearms and eliminating a weapons training mandate for people to carry hidden guns. (AP Photo)
In 2015, then Governor Sam Brownback signed into law a bill that made Kansas the sixth state to allow “constitutional carry.” The new law allowed Kansans 21 and older to carry concealed firearms regardless of whether they had obtained a permit. Opponents of the bill had concerns about safety, noting that law enforcement officials raised concerns about the lack of training.
Now over three and a half years later, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir says he has not noticed any significant problems that have come from that new legislation.
Brian Bellendir Audio
The law also meant that gun owners did not have to take a conceal carry class although Bellendir highly recommends gun owners do so.
Brian Bellendir Audio
The next conceal carry class that the county offers will be held on March 30th and will cost the gun owner just $50.00. Contact the Barton County Sheriff’s Office for more information or to sign up.
Training is still required for anyone who wants to carry a concealed gun in the 36 states that accept Kansas permits.
When Barton County Health Director Shelly Schneider provided Barton County Commissioners and update on how grant-funded programs are performing, the bulk of the programs mentioned related to younger citizens. Schneider talked about programs related to teen pregnancy, young parents, and special health care needs for children.
Commissioner Alicia Straub asked Schneider if the elderly demographic is getting forgotten. Schneider responded the Barton County Health Department has hired a new health educator that has an educational background dealing with the elderly.
Shelly Schneider Audio
The Health Department hired Cameron Jackson to replace Janel Rose, who retired from the position last December after nearly 28 years as a Public Health Educator.
Jackson is finishing up his final semester of graduate school at Kansas State University. Schneider is excited to have Jackson’s views on new programs and how to make them successful in Barton County.
Shelly Schneider Audio
Jackson has a Minor in gerontology, the study of old age and the specific problems of aging.
GREAT BEND, KAN. – A curious student-body assembled in a sea of purple at Eisenhower Elementary School on Thursday, unknowing the tremendous surprise one of their classmates was about to receive. Opening remarks by Eisenhower Principal, Laurie Harwood, were quickly eclipsed by a troupe of adults wearing mouse ears and performing silly antics to excite the audience. Students would soon realize that “Team Owen” was about to be granted the wish of a lifetime.
“Today is a momentous occasion as Owen will be surprised with the news that his one-true wish will be coming true. We hope that his wish experience will bring him and his family a much-needed break from the realities associated with his condition. We are also extremely grateful for the support of Great Bend Schools and the Eisenhower Elementary community. Today is a true testament to the caring nature of the state of Kansas and we couldn’t be more excited for Owen,” said LuAnn Bott, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.
Lori Likes, representing Fee Insurance Group out of Hutchinson, was one of the wish grantors on-site to help deliver the good news.
“It was an absolute joy meeting our Wish Kid, Owen and his family,” said Likes. I fell in love immediately with his little freckled face and his big smile. It was an eye opening experience watching Owen and his family interact. They were all so on point as to Owen’s needs. I learned a lot that day about Owen, it was easy to see what gives him joy in life. Since that initial meeting, I have been able to stay up to date with Owen as one of his many followers on social media. We were all completely overjoyed with tear-filled eyes when Make-A-Wish was able to make Owen’s wish come true.”
“Owen and his family are very deserving of this dream-come-true trip to Disney World,” said Khris Thexton, USD 428 superintendent. “We are humbled by Owen’s strength, determination and joy. Including the Eisenhower family in this big announcement gave our family at USD 428 the chance to cheer-on the Klug family; we couldn’t be more excited for them!”
Laurie Harwood, Eisenhower Elementary School principal, worked behind the scenes with Make-A-Wish and the family to ensure the day would be a success. Students, staff and faculty were asked to wear purple because it is the designated color for Epilepsy Awareness as well as the color of the “Team Owen” shirts that have been produced locally.
About Owen:
Owen is an 11-year-old 5th grader at Eisenhower Elementary in Great Bend. He lives in Odin with his dad Gavin, mom Kiley, little brothers Dexter and Blake, and dog Brutus. Owen enjoys anything that involves biking, swinging, spinning, music, and jumping. He loves people, especially his teachers, bus driver, caretakers, friends, and family. He is a sweet, laid back boy who spreads happiness and inspiration wherever he goes.
Owen had his first seizure at 6 months of age after an uncomplicated birth. The next few years were full of testing, several different medication trials, procedures, surgeries, and a lot of questions. Owen, at his worst, had over 250 seizures a day. Because of the severe intractable epilepsy he was enduring, Owen lost a number of developmental skills such as sitting independently, clapping, and walking in a walker. Owen was finally clinically diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome when he was 6 years old.
Dravet Syndrome is characterized by severe, chronic, intractable epilepsy, oftentimes paired with global developmental delay, sensory impairment, orthopedic conditions, and many other issues.
Owen takes his daily struggles in stride. He loves life, and his smile lights up the lives of everyone who knows him. He is so tough, so resilient, and so deserving of a granted wish!
About MAKE-A-WISH
Make-A-Wish® Missouri & Kansas creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child’s wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey.
Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in 50 countries worldwide. The local chapter is headquartered in Ballwin, Missouri and serves every community in Missouri and Kansas.
Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas has granted more than 8,350 wishes to local children with critical illnesses. For more information about Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas and how you can transform lives, one wish at a time, please visit our website (mokan.wish.org) and connect with us on Facebook (makeawishMOKAN), Twitter (@makeawishMOKAN), Instagram (@makeawishMOKAN) and YouTube
(MakeAWishMOKAN).
Paraquat could play a major role as a herbicide option in addressing resistant weeds. K-State agronomy researcher Marshall Hay spoke on this topic at the recent Cover Your Acres Conference that covers quite a gamut of topics relating to crop production in the High Plains. Hay goes into detail of why paraquat is drawing more attention because of its potential for being a response to weed resistance to glyphosate herbicide.
Marshall Hay Audio
Hay says a couple of the keys to paraquat management are application nozzle selection and tank mixing options.
Marshall Hay Audio
Hay says for more guidance on paraquat usage, refer to K-State’s 2019 Chemical Weed Control Guide, which is available online at www.agronomy.ksu.edu or from your local Extension office.
The Barton County Appraiser’s Office has the responsibility to discover, list, appraise, and maintain records to all taxable and exempt real and personal property within the county. Reminding citizens of upcoming tax dates helps make their responsibility easier.
Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock says the Appraiser’s Office is in the process of establishing values for all real estate in the county. Values will be mailed out no later than March 1.
Phil Hathcock Audio
To assist with the filing, the office has mailed renditions to all owners on file. The deadline for oil/gas properties is April 1. Valuations on personal property, including oil and gas, will be mailed to taxpayers on or before May 1.
Again, any questions about deadlines, taxes, or renditions can be directed to the Appraiser’s Office at 620-793-1821.
Friday
Paraquat could play a major role as a herbicide option in addressing resistant weeds. K-State agronomy researcher Marshall Hay spoke on this topic at the recent Cover Your Acres Conference that covers quite a gamut of topics relating to crop production in the High Plains. Hay goes into detail of why paraquat is drawing more attention because of its potential for being a response to weed resistance to glyphosate herbicide.