12/7

BOOKED: Renata Tryon of Hays on HMC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Justin Peterson of Wichita on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court with a bond set at $500 cash only. Failure to appear with no bond. Warrant for contempt of court with no bond.

BOOKED: Adrianna Kennedy on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Misty Bryant on Great Bend Municipal Court serve sentence.

BOOKED: Raul Acevedo-Rivera on Barton County District Court case for criminal threat, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Ouray Gray on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Christopher Falls on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $2,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Shayla Richmeier on Barton County District Court warrant for possession of a controlled substance, bond at $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Jeanna Richter of Great Bend posted a $1,000 surety bond on GBMC warrant for failure to appear and posted a $1,000 surety bond on GBMC warrant for failure to appear. Both bonds posted by Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Cecil Petrie of Newton on BTDC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Raul Acevedo-Rivera on BCDC case for criminal threat, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Christopher Falls on GBMC warrant for failure to appear.

RELEASED: Shayla Richmeier posted $10,000 bond on BTDC warrant and posted $50,000 bond on BTDC case. Both bonds posted by Dyn-O-Mite Bonding.

12/8

BOOKED: Alexandra Dirrenn of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Jeffrey Hood of Wichita on Barton County District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine x2 and possession of drug paraphernalia with a bond set at $10,000 C/S. Barton County District Court case for felony obstruction with a bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Blaine Snyder of Great Bend on BTDC case for failure to appear, bond set at $500 C/S. Great Bend Municipal Court case for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Johnny Espinosa of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for criminal trespass after 48 hours.

RELEASED: Jeffrey Hood of Wichita on BCDC warrant for possession of meth x2 and possession of drug paraphernalia after posting a $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding. BCDC case for felony obstruction after posting a $5,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Colby Hopkins on Community Corrections to report for case, serving 2 days.

12/9

BOOKED: Louis Leiker of Beaver on GBMC case for DUI and ITOL with a bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Jonathan Stemm of Great Bend on serve sentence.

BOOKED: Fabian Magadan of Great Bend on GBMC case for ITOL, bond set at $300 C/S or 48-hour OR bond.

BOOKED: Juan Sonora of Great Bend on GBMC case for ITOL, bond set at $300 C/S or 48-hour OR bond.

BOOKED: David Valenzuela of Great Bend on GBMC case for DUI, no DL, ITOL, bond set at $1,000 C/S or 48-hour OR bond.

RELEASED: Cody Buckingham on GBMC warrant for FTA after posting a $1,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Louis Leiker of Beaver on GBMC case for DUI and ITOL with $1,000 bond posted through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Adrianna Kennedy on BCDC case with time served.

RELEASED: Misty Bryant on GBMC serve sentence with time served.

RELEASED: Renata Tryon of Hays on HMC case for serve sentence, time served.

RELEASED: Ouray Gray on BCDC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Juan Sonora of Great Bend on GBMC case for ITOL, bond posted by defendant cash only $300.

RELEASED: David Valenzuela of Great Bend on GBMC case for DUI, no DL, ITOL, posted bond through Dyn-O-Mite Bail Bonding with amount of $1,000.

RENO COUNTY — One of two people arrested for drug distribution charges on Nov. 29 has returned to court for the formal reading of charges.

Twenty-seven-year-old Lacy Glenn and 42-year-old Jamie Bahr are both facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, hydrocodone and clonazepam with intent to distribute. Other charges include conspiracy to distribute drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony theft. Bahr also faces a charge of driving while suspended.

During a court appearance Friday, Glenn again asked for a signature bond. That was quickly denied by Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville, who cited the nature of the charges. A conviction would call for presumptive prison time.

First, the six to ten day outlook is for above average temperature and slightly above average precipitation.  Our average temperature in December is in the low to mid-40s and the average precipitation for the month is normally around an inch or less.  Some forecasters are predicting an active weather pattern through the end of the year.  In English that means unsettled weather with chances for precipitation coming through the area about every six to eight days.  Whether it is rain or snow depends on how far north or south these pieces of energy track.  Time will tell.  Now onto today’s discussion.

Hopefully you read the title and thought salt can’t be GMO.  Last week’s column discussed farmer sustainability and the myths/misconceptions out there posing as science and advertising campaigns.  The problem isn’t so much the misleading ads or the pseudoscience on social media.  The real problem is the ignorance and fear on the part of much of the public.  We, as a society seem woefully ignorant about basic science and it creates unnecessary conflict/confusion.  So today, a brief primer on science, agriculture, and your food.

• GMO is an acronym for Genetically Modified Organism. Technically, all the food at your table has been genetically modified from the ancestors from which it came and continues to be.  However, GMO denotes the direct manipulation of genetic material – DNA- at a cellular level.  The CRISPR technology in the news from China is the latest, most sophisticated example.  We can turn genes on and off or insert different genes into plants and animals.  Roundup Ready crops and Bt corn/cotton are obvious examples.
• To be genetically modified, something has to have genes. So when a store advertises, as is being done, non-GMO salt or water they are technically correct.  However, it is more than a bit deceptive.  Another example is companies pushing products with non-GMO wheat.  Again correct but the reality is there isn’t GMO wheat out there.
• Antibiotics are another hot-button issue and rightly so. There are most certainly concerns with the development of antibiotic resistant organisms.  However when stores and restaurants advertise antibiotic free chicken, they are again technically correct.  However, regulations prevent meat of any kind into the food supply containing antibiotics.
• Organic food is safer, healthier and more nutritious than conventionally produced food and is free of “chemicals”. In order – no, no, no, and no.   First everything you consume is made up of chemicals.  Second, there is no difference in safety between the two groups when both are properly grown and processed.  Third, both are healthy when protocols are followed and both can be unsafe when they aren’t.  That is what HACCP, a topic for another column, is for.  Lastly while both can be equally nutritious, some studies have actually indicated conventionally produced food to be more nutritious.

The point of this isn’t to convince you as a consumer to buy one or the other.  What consumers need to do is be armed with facts and not swayed by fear or emotion.  And the entire agricultural production chain must continually do all it can to keep things safe, healthy, nutritious, and hopefully delicious.

Story and photo by Brandon Steinert-Barton Public Relations

When Director of Nursing Robert Mangold walks into work at the University of Kansas Health Systems Pawnee Valley Campus, he’s not just trading his time for a paycheck, dealing with the daily grind. He’s beginning yet another shift in a role that challenges him to be present for others as the best human being he can be, showing care, compassion and empathy mixed with just the right amount of professionalism.

“One of the best feelings is going home and knowing you’ve helped someone or helped save a life,” he said. “My day-to-day most rewarding experience is seeing patients happy and family members happy, knowing that myself and my team of nursing staff are providing good care and making sure we’re taking care of our community.”

Keeping that level of quality care, he added, takes dedication, patience and self care, especially when dealing with the death of a patient or helping them with a traumatic injury.

“That can take an emotional toll on you,” he said. “But the staff here is like a family. It’s not just work, it’s coming to a place where you know you’re going to be cared for.”

The role suits Mangold; when meeting him for the first time, it might seem as though he has always been a nurse, but like anyone he started out unsure what to do with himself.

After graduating from Greeley County High School in 2007, he started out at Wichita State University with “undecided health professions” as his declared major. He eventually landed on nursing as his chosen path.

“It’s a great career if you’re looking for something long term and just enjoy caring for people,” he said. “There’s unlimited possibilities of different specializations and schooling you can continue to pursue. You’re never really going to be without a job. There’s always going to be a need for nurses.”

He looked at a few nursing programs in Kansas once he figured out what he wanted, and said Barton stood out to him. He earned his Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate in 2014 and his associate degree in Nursing in 2015.

“The instructors made it a good experience,” he said. “It’s a good school. They make it feel like a community, like you’re in a small hometown, and they want you to succeed.”

After Barton, he transferred to Wichita State University and finished his bachelor’s degree in May of 2018.

He racked up a lot of experience in a few short years by working while attending school. Mangold has spent time in emergency rooms, helping with surgery, outpatient nursing and more.

As a Director of Nursing, Mangold is now focused on doing what he can for the KU Health Systems Pawnee Valley Campus, but he said he’ll never stop learning. His next goal is to eventually earn his master’s degree in nursing.

While there are more men pursuing nursing than before, it’s still a field predominantly populated by women. Mangold said that comes with its own set of challenges, but it’s an afterthought to him.

“Caring for somebody is a gender neutral role,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a male or female as long as you can provide that care, that’s all that really matters.”

Applications to start in Barton’s nursing program in the fall of 2019 are due January 31. For more information or to request an application, visit nursing.bartonccc.edu or contact Director of Nursing and Healthcare Education Kathy Kottas at (620) 792-9355 or kottask@bartonccc.edu.

Medical Assistant

In addition to nursing, Barton offers several other healthcare professional training options, including Medical Assistant. Medical Assistants are multi-skilled individuals trained to assist physicians, work in a medical clinic and areas of hospitals or laboratories. They measure and record vital signs, take medical histories, administer medications, sterilize instruments, assist with minor surgeries, handle emergencies, obtain blood samples, perform routine lab procedures, x-ray preparation and more.

A career can be built as a medical assistant, or it can be a versatile launchpad into many other healthcare professions.

For more information about Barton’s Medical Assistant program, visit medassistant.bartonccc.edu or contact Program Instructor & Coordinator Kim Brennan at (620) 792-9326 or brennank@bartonccc.edu.

As the Great Bend school district gets closer to pitching a bond issue to the voters, many voters are wondering how much this is going to cost. If you view the 96-page presentation at usd428.net, you will see a financial impact between $90 million and $145 million. The exact final number that SJCF Architecture will present to the USD 428 Board of Education will be determined soon after one last steering committee meeting on December 20.

The school district hired SJCF at the beginning of the year to create a long-term master plan for the district’s facilities.

Terry Wiggers, Executive Vice President at SJCF, says the steering committee will need to narrow down the options of improvements for the final proposal.

Terry Wiggers Audio

Because of the price tag, Wiggers anticipated the master plan of improvements to be stretched out over a 20-year period. USD 428 paid off all their debt in September 2018.

According to SJCF’s presentation, the Great Bend school district has a mill levy of 45.93. The same study showed Hoisington’s school district with a mill levy of 50.81, Ellinwood at 60.40, Hays at 43.56, and Dodge City at 57.24.

Wiggers says a potential bond of this size would include renovations to buildings to add space and improve security.

Terry Wiggers Audio

Creating storm shelters, securing entrances to buildings, making space at the elementary schools for preschool, and switching 6^th graders to the middle school with additions at Great Bend Middle School, are the main focuses from the steering committee. With an enrollment of more than 2,900 district wide, all of USD 428’s school buildings were built in the 1950s.

SJCF will present the master plan to the school board on January 14. If approved, the bond issue will go to the voters at the upcoming election.

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 428 – BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
December 10, 2018 5:00 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER …………………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
1.1 Roll Call
1.2 Adoption of Agenda
1.3 Recognition of Visitors
1.4 Request to Speak Reminder
Persons may present ideas or concerns regarding USD 428. The Board will take no action at this meeting. Such items will be referred to the appropriate administrator(s) for future information and researched and reported back to the Board at a later meeting. Personalities and behavior of employees are not to be presented during this period but are to be reported to the employee’s immediate supervisor. The president shall determine the amount of time to be spent for citizen participation.
1.5 Citizen’s Open Forum

2. RECOGNITIONS / ACHIEVEMENTS ……………………………………… Mr. Umphres
 National Board Certification
Traci Miller, teacher of Grade 2 at Riley Elementary, has earned National Board Certification through Emporia State University. Teachers who hold a valid Kansas professional license and valid National Board Certification are eligible for a 10-year accomplished license. In addition, board certified teachers employed by a Kansas school district are eligible graduate credit and a $1,000 annual bonus.
 All Conference Student Athletes
GBHS Activities Director David Meter will be present to introduce the Great Bend High School’s fall sport All Conference Student Athletes.

3. STAFF / STUDENT PRESENTATIONS …………………………………… Mr. Umphres
 Learning Walks
In November, the Instructional Coaches have implemented Learning Walks. These are brief visits to several classrooms across the district, which give teachers a chance to reflect on a variety of practices. K-12 teachers volunteer to participate.
 Masonic Grant Update
Mr. Phil Heeke, Mrs. Dara Touslee, and Mrs. Signe Cook will present an update on the Masonic Grant contributed to Park Elementary School and details on how the grant is being used for Park students.

4. COMMUNICATIONS ……………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
 Board Members’ Comments
 USD 428 Education Foundation
 Written Communications / Correspondence

5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. Presentation of 2017-2018 Business Audit ………………………… Mr. Umphres
The 2017-2018 business audit report and governance letter of Adams, Brown, Beran, and Ball, Chtd., have been prepared. Vickie Dreiling, CPA, plans to attend the meeting to present the report and answer related questions, and Board approval of the audit will be recommended. Board members may seek additional information prior to the meeting by contacting Khris Thexton at the DEC or Vickie Dreiling at the office of ABBB.

B. Bus Specifications ………………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
Mr. Thexton will provide a transportation update on current buses and details for new bus specifications. Administration will recommend board approval to release specifications for a bid release.

C. Community Service Day Coordinator ………………………………. Mr. Umphres (Refer to Mr. Thexton)
Community Service Day at GBHS began seven years ago and has grown into a very successful program within the community. The program requires additional planning and coordination. Details of a supplemental Community Service Day Coordinator position will be presented to the board. CSD is scheduled for April 24, 2019. Administration will recommend approval of such position.

7. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT……………… Mr. Umphres / Mr. Popp

A. First Reading of GBHS Program of Studies Book
The High School Program of Studies book describes all the courses available to students at Great Bend High School. This is the first reading of GBHS proposed changes for 2019-2020. (Attachment 7,A)

B. Visible Learning Update Characteristics of Visible Learners are learners who can 1) explain and talk about their learning to/with others, 2) articulate why learning is important, 3) explain their learning progress to their parents, 4) actively seek feedback, and 5) give feedback to their teacher about how the teacher’s teaching is meeting their learning needs. Each of the building Visible Learning teams are studying the characteristics of Visible Learners and helping teachers utilize classroom/school practices that help support Visible Learners and Inspired and Passionate Teaching. Between the first training on October 24 and the next training on January 2, the VL teams are collecting evidence on their current practice(s). They are conducting student and teacher surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

C. Curriculum Adoption Update
Mr. Popp will give an update to the board on the progress made for the upcoming curriculum adoptions.

D. Curriculum Meeting Minutes (Attachment 7,D)
 Curriculum Steering Committee: 12/4/18
 Professional Development Council (PDC) minutes: 12/3/18

8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT…………………………. Mr. Umphres / Mr. Thexton
A. Rotary Club dictionaries for 3rd grade students
B. USD 428 Education Foundation Mini-grants (Attachment 8,B)
C. Advocacy in Action/Governmental Relations Seminar in Topeka – January 16-17, 2019
D. Summer Projects
E. Board Retreat Discussion
F. Approval of Contributions (Attachment 8,F)

9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION …………………………… Mr. Umphres / Mr. Thexton
A. Bills and Financial Reports

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION ……………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION ……………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
The Board of Education will go into executive session.
“Mr. President, I move that the board go into executive session to discuss an individual employee’s performance pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA. The open meeting will resume in this Board room at ___:___P.M.”

 12. CONSENT AGENDA …………………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (November 12, and 29, 2018)
B. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report

13. UPCOMING MEETING DATES …………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
 Winter Recess: December 24, 2018, through January 3, 2019. (January 2 is a teacher work day)
 BOE Luncheon Meeting: There is no luncheon meeting in December. The next BOE meeting is January 14, 2019 and a luncheon meeting scheduled for noon on January 31, 2019.

14. ADJOURNMENT ……………………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres

RUSH COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9p.m. Saturday in Rush County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Chevy S-10 driven by Benjamin M. Welsh, 18, Bison, was eastbound on Ave M one mile south of Otis when a deer crossed the road ahead of the pickup.

The driver swerved to avoid the deer. The pickup crossed the center line, left the roadway to the left, overturned at least one time and came to rest on its top facing north.

Welsh was transported to the hospital in La Crosse. A passenger in the pickup was not injured. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

EDWARDS COUNTY — A man injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Edwards County has died.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1990 Chevy Pickup driven by Kenneth D. Wilder, 51, Lewis, was east bound on U.S. 50 at Lewis.

The pickup left the roadway to the south into the ditch. It returned to the road, skidded across into the north ditch and rolled.

Wilder was transported to Edwards County Medical Center and later died.

He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

———-

EDWARDS COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Edwards County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1990 Chevy Pickup driven by Kenneth D. Wilder, 51, Lewis, was east bound on U.S. 50 at Lewis.

The pickup left the roadway to the south into the ditch. It returned to the road, skidded across into the north ditch and rolled.

Wilder was transported to Edwards County Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

GREAT BEND – Three individuals have been charged with capital murder in connection with two deaths in July in Barton County, according to Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Two other individuals are charged with related crimes.

Schmidt filed criminal charges against Kimberly Younger, 52, McIntosh, Fla.; Michael Fowler, Jr., 54, Sarasota, Fla.; Rusty Frasier, 35, Aransas Pass, Tex.; Christine Tenney, 38, Santa Fe, Tex.; and Thomas Drake, 31, Van Buren, Ark. The charges are in connection with the deaths of Alfred “Sonny” Carpenter and Pauline Carpenter, both of Wichita, at the Barton County Fair in July.

The charges were filed yesterday and arrest warrants executed today.

The most serious charges against the individuals are as follows:

• Younger is charged with one count of capital murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of criminal solicitation and one count of theft. Bond has been set at $1 million. The Younger complaint is available at https://bit.ly/2Ebm3PQ
• Fowler is charged with one count of capital murder and one count of theft. Bond has been set at $1 million. The Fowler complaint is available at https://bit.ly/2BWAXbg
• Frasier is charged with one count of capital murder. Bond has been set at $1 million. The Frasier complaint is available at https://bit.ly/2RCVzuM
• Tenney is charged with three counts of obstructing apprehension. Bond has been set at $10,000. The Tenney complaint is available at https://bit.ly/2GimrPB
• Drake is charged with three counts of obstructing apprehension. Bond has been set at $10,000. The Drake complaint is available at https://bit.ly/2E5OGOG