Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters was invited to participate in a program called, “Experience The University of Kansas Health System.” Peters prefaced her recap of the experience by saying she does not enjoy hospitals and is not a fan of needles. With that said, she stated the experience was one the coolest things she has done in her career.

Peters was able to shadow many hospital staff members to see how they operate and also hear from administration.

Peters left feeling assured that The University of Kansas Health System (KU Med) is wanting to succeed in their outreach facilities like Great Bend.

Jan Peters Audio

KU Med completed the purchase of Great Bend Regional Hospital on August 1^st. The Great Bend Campus is now part of KU Med that includes St. Rose Medical Pavilion in Great Bend and Pawnee Valley Campus in Larned.

Although there are a lot of unknowns with funding and a new Kansas Governor to take office in January, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters is confident the road construction project along K-96 Highway from Nickerson to Lyons will be reconsidered. The Kansas Transportation Task Force is finalizing their pitch to the Legislature for a new transportation comprehensive plan in 2020.

Peters says the Task Force heard a lot of input for their plan.

Jan Peters Audio

The plan is set to replace the Kansas Department of Transportation’s 2010 plan that is to expire in 2020. Trying to figure out the future transportation needs is a tough challenge, and Peters says now it will come down to funding such a plan.

Peters went with four other area representatives to testify in front of the Task Force in October to promote the completion of the K-96 project or “Northwest Passage” that was delayed a few years ago because of funding being raided from K-DOT to balance the state budget. The new stretch of highway would connect Hutchinson to north of Sterling.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke on the Senate floor to celebrate Coach Bill Snyder’s career as Kansas State University’s head football coach, and honored his impact on K-State, the city of Manhattan and Kansas. Coach Snyder recently announced his retirement after 27 seasons at the helm of K-State’s football program.

Sen. Moran’s full remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Last Sunday, Kansas State University Head Football Coach Bill Snyder announced his retirement, marking the end of his 56 year career coaching football and 27 year tenure in Manhattan, Kansas.

“Coach Snyder made his debut with the K-State football program in 1989. He took the helm of a program that was known as ‘Futility U’ and ‘America’s most hapless team.’ When he arrived, the Wildcats hadn’t won a single game in the previous two seasons, and had the most losses of any Division One football team. During the now-famous press conference at the early stages of his tenure at K-State, Coach Snyder remarked that, ‘I think the opportunity for the greatest turnaround in college football exists here today, and it’s not one to be taken lightly.’

“Kansans know well today that Coach Snyder lived up to those words.

“Coach Snyder boasts a great deal of accolades in his storied career: 215 career wins, 19 bowl game appearances and two Big 12 championships – which seems especially remarkable, given the state of the program when he took over as head coach.

“Deeply engrained in Coach Snyder’s legacy is the work he’s done off the field developing young men, contributing to the community, giving back and inspiring so many. Coach Snyder’s ‘16 Goals for Success’ have served as guidelines for his players on and off the field. Snyder said that if his players followed these goals – goals such as: ‘Never Give Up,’ ‘Don’t Accept Losing,’ and ‘Eliminate Mistakes . . . then success would come.’

“His ‘16 goals’ represent his own legendary paradigm – that our work is never over and the journey to success is never really finished.

“His impact at the University and in Manhattan have reached far beyond the field, where he’s helped to increase student enrollment, boost the local economy, and fund major renovation projects across K-State’s campus that have allowed for groundbreaking work at the university. Coach Snyder’s involvement, support and close work with the Johnson Cancer Center at K-State has helped to advance the groundbreaking, scientific research being done there that will one day save lives. 

“His work in the community to mentor young men and women, develop community leaders and inspire philanthropy has changed lives across our state. His focus on ‘family’ has created and contributed to a remarkable culture in Manhattan.

“Coach Snyder has had to overcome numerous challenges during his tenure as a coach, but he’s faced those with the same grit and mental toughness that he’s instilled in his players. Even while battling cancer, coach still hit the road to travel Kansas on Catbacker tours – he didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of him meeting with the program’s most loyal fans – a large number of them rural Kansans.

“Coach’s love for traveling the state and meeting with rural Kansans is something we both share, but I think often times Kansans might be more excited to talk about football than politics. Coach Snyder repeatedly says he came to Kansas State University because of the people, stayed because of the people, and returned because of the people.

“To get to Manhattan, Kansas, you take Bill Snyder Family Highway. To go to a K-State football game, you go to Bill Snyder Family Stadium. And on your way into the stadium, you walk by a larger-than-life statue of Coach Bill Snyder. His legacy is permanently sealed in the K-State and Manhattan community.

“History will remember Coach Snyder as an incredibly successful football coach and developer of young men . . . someone with an extraordinary work ethic and a high level of integrity. I appreciate the impact Coach Bill Snyder has had at Kansas State University – his legacy will be forever enshrined there. Robba and I wish all the best for Coach, Sharon, and the entire Snyder family in this new chapter of their lives.”

written by: Donna Krug, Cottonwood Extension District Director and Family & Consumer Science Agent

Think about the bags full of trash that will be sitting by the curb waiting to be picked up the day after Christmas. It is a lot of waste and not very friendly to our environment. Here are some tips you can incorporate during this Christmas season to make your holiday a little greener for both the environment and your wallet.

 Shop Local – When you buy your gifts and supplies locally whenever possible it reduces the cost of traveling out of town. By supporting local crafters and businesses it helps to stimulate the local economy.
 Send E-Cards – For many of your family and friends, sending a card or invitation through e-mail may be an acceptable way to share holiday greetings. For those who still enjoy sending and receiving cards (like me), make sure to purchase cards made from recycled paper.
 It’s a wrap – You’ve picked out the perfect gift. Now what? Consider a reusable bag or box to wrap the present. For paper options, try comics, maps, coloring pages, or wrapping made from recycled paper. Scarves or towels may also be used as gift wrap. When sending gifts, try to reuse shipping materials like padded envelopes, cartons, and packing peanuts. If the gift is staying local, avoid wrapping altogether. Hide the gift and send the recipient on a scavenger hunt to retrieve it. Utilize Christmas stockings. They are a favorite tradition so who not reuse year after year and fill with small gifts.
 Entertaining – Entertaining can vary from an extended visit for out-of-town friends and family to a fancy one-night event. If the event requires entertaining a large group of people, turn the heat down before guests arrive. Lots of people in the house creates extra heat. Keep decorations to a minimum and consider using newsprint for table coverings. Add crayons to the table for entertainment for young guests.
 Opt for products with minimal packaging – When grocery shopping, reduce the amount of processed food you buy and opt for fresh. Cooking from scratch will reduce your cost and increase the flavor and nutrition of your food. When buying other supplies or gifts, look for items with the least amount of packaging.
 Conservative cooking – Be realistic about the amounts of food you buy and be creative with leftovers so food does not go to waste. Consider who will eat what and what portions are appropriate. Do not feel obligated to offer guests every appetizer and entrée under the sun. The holiday season is a time many people struggle with temptations and add extra pounds, so eliminating enticements may not be such a bad idea.
 Dishing it out – It may mean extra work for you, but think about hosting the event with reusable dishes instead of disposable dishes. When washing up after the party, fully load the dishwasher to get the most out of the hot water. Put out separate bins for recyclables and label them so guests know where to toss their glass, plastic and aluminum.
 Get creative with gift giving – Gifts made with love can be particularly sweet. Knowing someone made a homemade gift adds a personal touch. Consider gifts of entertainment, endowment or a good deed. Look around your surroundings and see if there is something you have that you know someone would enjoy receiving.

I want to give credit to Nadine Sigle for sharing these tips when she was the Family and Consumer Science Agent in the Post Rock District. Now Nadine serves as a Community Vitality Specialist in Northwest Kansas.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a Christmas Entertaining Meals program on Wednesday, December 12^th, at the Great Bend Recreation Center located at 1214 Stone Street.  Get into the Christmas spirit with a wonderful meal and the sounds from the Great Bend Middle School Women In Harmony group.  The meal will begin at Noon and entertainment will be held from 12:15 – 12:45 pm followed by time to visit with your friends before you head back to work at 1:00 pm.  For lunch, we’ll be serving hearty beef lasagna, green salad, bread along with dessert and a beverage.  Register at the Great Bend Recreation Commission by Friday, December 7^th.  The entry fee is $10.00.  For more information, stop by the Rec Center (1214 Stone Street) or call the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755, ext. 110.  For more information about this program and other programs the Great Bend Rec offers, please go to our web site at www.greatbendrec.com.

BOOKED: Cody Buckingham on GBMC warrant for FTA with a bond set in the amount of $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Ralph Tuey on BTDC warrant for FTA with a bond of $1,500 cash only. BTDC warrant for FTA with no bond.

BOOKED: Steven Fortner of Hoisington on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, bond set at $1,477.50 cash only or 90 days in jail.

BOOKED: Johnny Espinosa of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for criminal trespass. He was booked and confined with a bond set at $500 C/S or 48 hours in jail.

BOOKED: Gabriel Oddo on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $250 C/S.

BOOKED: Kenneth Gray of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrants all for probation violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Colby Hopkins on Community Corrections, serving two day.

BOOKED: Tanner Guyton of Great Bend BTDC case for unlawful possession of controlled substance, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Garrett Buckbee of Ellinwood on BTDC case for unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of controlled substance, failure to signal, and no insurance, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Jeanna Richter of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S and GBMC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Joshua Bobbit on BCDC case, received a $10,000 OR bond with the following conditions: remain in contact with attorney, obey all state, federal, and local laws, go to all court dates, no contact with victim and stay in Kansas.

RELEASED: Robert Crawford on a case with conditions of A&D conditions, obey all state, federal, and local laws, remain in contact with attorney and must go to all future court dates.

RELEASED: Lamont Clark on GBMC case by court order. Pawnee County was contacted per instructions in computer. Pawnee County stated to release him.

RELEASED: Eric Buckley on GBMC warrant, released by order of the court.

RELEASED: Ralph Tuey of Grea tBend on BCDC warrant for failure to appear after receiving verbal order to release.

RELEASED: Gabriel Oddo on GBMC warrant for failure to appear after posting a $250 surety bond.

A Great Bend teenager who had been missing since Tuesday has been discovered.  Great Bend Police Chief David Bailey contacted the Eagle Media Center Friday morning at 7:00 am and reported that Alexandria Renee Zendejas was found Thursday night safe and unhurt.  No other details regarding the case were released.