Introduced in 2015, Juul electronic cigarettes have quickly skyrocketed in popularity among teens and college students across the United States and right here in Barton County. Educators and students report an alarming level of Juul use in middle and high schools, making this an urgent public health problem.

According to Casey Rowland, Community Case Manager for Juvenile Services in the 20th Judicial District, a “jewel” is an e-cigarette that can be filled with tiny, refillable pods of liquid nicotine.

Casey Rowland Audio

Rowland says Juul appears to deliver nicotine more quickly, more effectively and at higher doses than other e-cigarettes, increasing users’ risk of addiction.

Casey Rowland Audio

Rowland adds that Juul sales have grown dramatically and now make up more than half the e-cigarette market. She says Juul is putting kids at risk of nicotine addiction and threatens to undermine decades of progress in reducing youth tobacco use.

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Wichita have partnered with local Emergency Management offices and will be presenting information that will help prepare storm spotters and weather enthusiasts for the upcoming storm season.

Chance Hayes, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, will make a pair of presentations in Great Bend this March. Hayes noted staying safe is all about reading the clouds.

Chance Hayes Audio

The staff will provide an in-depth weather presentation that will engage the audience by teaching them about the different storms, features that help a person recognize a storm’s potential severity, and how to report hazardous weather.

Chance Hayes Audio

The presentations in Great Bend will be March 7 at the Crest Theater at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The “Storm Fury on the Plains” presentation will also be made at Russell’s Dream Theater March 26 at 6:30 p.m. and Ellsworth High School Auditorium on March 27 at 6:30 p.m.

The presentations typically last up to two hours. They are open to anyone that has interest in weather. There are no fees to attend, you do not have to register, and you do not have to sign up to be a spotter.

BOOKED: April William-Harman of Hutchinson on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Angelica Mendez of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, bond set at $721 cash only.

BOOKED: Sterling Mills of Great Bend on CKCC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Adriana N. Kennedy on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond of $1,000 C/S. GBMC warrant for contempt of court with a bond of $507.50 cash only. Reno County Court warrant for theft of property of services and contribute to a child misconduct x2, bond of $3,500 C/S.

RELEASED: Randy Chambers of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence, transported to New Chance Treatment Center.

RELEASED: Jason Mitchell King was transported back to Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

RELEASED: Kimberly Trimmer of Ellinwood posted a $390 cash bond on EMC for contempt of court.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recently introduced the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act to make permanent a critical tax credit used to repair and upgrade short line railroads.

“Short line railroads connect rural and regional economies across our state and provide communities with access to national and global markets,” said Sen. Moran. “The BRACE Act would make certain that short line railroads and the communities who depend on them can stay up-to-date on critical maintenance and track improvements. This bipartisan legislation would mark significant progress as we work to make critical, much-needed investments in our nation’s transportation infrastructure.”

This tax credit was first established by legislation introduced in 2004 by then-U.S. Representative Jerry Moran to encourage railroads, railroad customers and suppliers – who depend the most on short line railroads – to invest directly in maintaining the more than 2,000 miles of short line rails in Kansas. Located in the center of America’s heartland, Kansas is one of the leading rail and distribution centers in our country and plays an integral role connecting farmers and factories with communities around the globe.

The BRACE Act would make permanent this tax provision used to repair and upgrade short line railroads, which are defined by the Surface Transportation Board as railroads that generate between $36 and $458 million annually and move largely agricultural and manufacturing freight. Making this tax credit permanent would allow communities to repair, maintain, and upgrade additional short line railroads nationwide.

Since 2006, Congress has acted periodically to extend the credit, often retroactively. This uncertainty causes private investment in short line rail to decline, reduces safety and customer service, and provides uncertainty to businesses, farmers and employers that cannot be globally competitive without freight rail. In addition to making this tax credit permanent, the BRACE Act would provide a safe harbor to allow credits to retroactively be allocated to investments made in 2018, as the credit was last extended only through December 31, 2017.

The BRACE Act was introduced by U.S. Senators James Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

Tenants and landlords of farmland need to make plans to attend a workshop on farm land leasing presented by Mykel Taylor, K-State Extension Ag Economist on Tuesday, February 12th at the Ag Research Center in Hays.

The meeting begins with registration at 1:00 pm and the program will start at 1:30 and conclude at 3.

Topics of discussion will be differences & similarities of various leasing arrangements, active management of landowner-tenant relationships through effective communication, recognition of incentives and the principles of calculating an equitable lease.

There is no cost to attend but you are asked to RSVP by Monday, February 11th.

Call the Cottonwood Extension Office at 620-793-1910.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Rep. Roger Marshall, M.D. introduced legislation to authorize the honorary promotion of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole to the grade of colonel in the U.S. Army.  Rep. Marshall introduced this bill with Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Jerry Moran who submitted this legislation in the Senate today as well.

“Senator Bob Dole embodies what it means to be a Kansan and an American,” Rep. Marshall said. “He has dedicated his entire life to this country and our state. There is absolutely no man more deserving of this honorary promotion than Senator Dole. He has been a champion for our military and has the full support of the Kansas delegation and the U.S. Army.”

“Kansas’ favorite son, Senator Bob Dole, is a true American hero and has earned this honorary promotion to colonel by his countless acts of valor and contributions to the U.S. military during his time at war and later while serving in Congress,” said Sen. Roberts. “Senator Dole has always been an advocate for our men and women in uniform, and I’m proud to introduce this legislation to honor him with the promotion, which he has more than earned throughout his decades of service.”

“I can think of no one more worthy of an honorary promotion to the rank of colonel in the United States Army than my good friend and mentor, Sen. Bob Dole,” said Sen. Moran. “From his time in the military and in Congress, to his continued leadership on veterans, hunger and disability issues, he is a true model of public service for Kansans and all Americans. It is only fitting that Sen. Dole be promoted for his exemplary service and sacrifice as an Army officer.”

Dole enrolled in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1942 while he was a student at the University of Kansas. He was called to active duty the following year and served in World War II. While deployed to Italy as an infantry lieutenant, he was seriously wounded in combat and was twice cited for acts of heroism under fire. He finished his military service with two Purple Hearts and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal with “v” device for valor. He was also awarded the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal and the World War II Victory medal.

Following his military service, Dole was elected to Congress where he served from 1961 to 1969. He was then elected to the Senate where he served from 1969 until 1996.

Dole received the Congressional Gold Medal last year, after all 100 senators cosponsored legislation for this award. Senator Dole is only the 8th senator to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997.

Rep. Marshall, Sen.. Roberts, and Sen. Moran introduced this legislation after an Army advisory panel reviewed Dole’s service to the Armed Forces, veterans and the national security of the United States in 2018 and recommended Dole receive an honorary promotion from captain to colonel. The Secretary of the Army endorsed this recommendation and forwarded it to Congress for further action. This honorary promotion will have no cost to taxpayers.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission is now accepting enrollment for winter and spring programs.  A variety of enrichment and recreation programs are available for children, ages 5 to 12 years, at school sites and at the Recreation Center and Activity Center from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.

These programs include Arts & Crafts, Cartooning and Crafting, Ceramics, Cooking, and a variety of holiday and special one-time classes.  We also have preschool programs for children, ages 2 to 5 years, that will be held at the Recreation Center, 1214 Stone Street, and the Activity Center, 2715 18^th Street, throughout the day.  Such programs include Family Cooking classes, Preschool Art classes, Winter Gym Games, Exploring the World of Music, special one-time holiday theme-based classes.  Enjoy family one-time classes with meeting times during the evenings and Saturday mornings.  Don’t forget about our adult programs scheduled in the evening for your convenience.  Enroll in Painting, Line Dancing, Fly-Tying, Ceramics, one-time evening painting and crafting classes.  Also join us and get in shape with one of our fitness classes that meet at a variety of times throughout the day and evenings:  Yoga, Zumba, Cardio Blast, Tai Chi for all levels, Noon Body Shaping and our Coffee, Cardio & Core class.  Get registered today because a lot of the programs will begin the week of February 4^th.

A complete list of programs and class details can be found at the GBRC web site at www.greatbendrec.com.  Online enrollment is now available on the website.

Please contact the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755, ext 110, or stop by the office located at 1214 Stone Street for more information or with any questions you may have.