Press release from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office…
On August 20, 2018, two inmates in the Barton County Detention Facility damaged a light fixture to gain access to the wiring. They then intentionally caused a direct short and managed to ignite small pieces of paper. They then took larger pieces of paper and started a larger fire adding plastic food trays and other items from their cell.
The detention staff quickly noticed the fire and gained entry to the cell. The Great Bend Fire Department responded, and the fire was quickly brought under control.
The actions of these inmates placed sheriff’s office personnel as well as the general jail population at risk.
Because the fire had intentionally been set in an occupied building, Sheriff’s Office personnel contacted the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office to assist in the investigation. After conducting interviews of the inmates, the Fire Marshall determined aggravated arson charges should be sought. The two inmates were placed under arrest immediately and booked on charges of aggravated arson. Aggravated arson is a serious level three felony. The case was sent to the County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Criminal charges were filed by the Barton County Attorney’s Office and the incident was placed on the court docket for a preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for Thursday, September 13, 2018.
The Sheriff’s Office delivered Zachariah Dittrick to the district court for the proceeding. An assistant county attorney advised the court he had only recently been assigned the case. The case had been under review by County Attorney Amy Mellor. Mellor was not in her office this week. He went on to say no subpoenas had been issued in the case and the State could not proceed.
The State’s Attorney requested a continuance. Defense Attorney Don Anderson moved the case be dismissed. The Hon. Richard Burgess granted the motion to dismiss without prejudice. Judge Burgess further stated if the State wished to refile the case they must do so by summons only.
Dittrick was returned to the jail where he is being held on an aggravated battery charge only.
The Sheriff’s Office has received no documents as of this time, recharging Dittrick with the arson.
As wheat farmers look toward planting, there is a plethora of variety options to choose from.
K-State wheat breeder Allan Fritz says, “There are a number of varieties that come to the top in each area of the state.”
He says, “For instance, in south central Kansas, I think both Larry and Zenda fit really well. WB4269, WB4458 are strong varieties, Monument is a good performer in that area and Chrome has had some success there as well. And Gallagher is a good variety out of Oklahoma for south central Kansas.”
He says these same varieties, with the exception of Gallagher, should also perform well in areas further to the north in central Kansas.
Zenda and Larry are two varieties that were developed in Fritz’s breeding program at K-State.
He says Zenda, which has been called the Everest replacement, is recommended for all of central and eastern Kansas, and is generally significantly better than Everest for a number of characteristics.
“When I look at the data, Zenda has done really well in our ambient growing conditions where we haven’t applied fungicide, so the disease package is very strong. It has very good stripe rust resistance, it has good leaf rust resistance, has pretty good tan spot resistance, and has fusarium resistance very similar to Everest.”
Not only that, but the quality of Zenda is an improvement over its predecessor.
Fritz says, “The quality is better than Everest, so it moves our quality bar up a little bit over Everest, so that’s better for our end users.”
Larry has also performed well.
Fritz says, “Larry has just been a good, consistent performer for us. During development and as we start to look at some of the data from the variety tests over a three or four year time span, Larry has just been a very strong performer. In south central Kansas if you average that data, Larry is at the very top.”
In western Kansas, a different set of varieties take over the top of Fritz’s recommendations.
He says, “As you go into western Kansas, then you start to worry about other things – drought tolerance, wheat streak mosaic virus. There’s just a different set of varieties that are a good fit out there. “
Another relatively-new release from K-State is Tatanka, a hard red winter wheat that was released out of the Hays program.
Fritz says, “Yield potential on Tatanka has been really good. It’s been toward the top of the trials. It is very well adapted to western Kansas. It has pretty good protection against leaf rust and stripe rust, so you have a pretty good disease package there. However, it doesn’t really have the wheat streak component that we would like for it to have.”
Wheat streak mosaic virus has been an issue in western Kansas over the past few years, causing a conservative 76.8 million dollars in direct losses to wheat farmers in 2017.
While there are a few varieties with some resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus or the wheat curl mite, Fritz says the best way to mitigate the virus is to control volunteer wheat.
“If you can encourage your neighbor to control their volunteer, that’s great. Obviously you can’t force people to do things. Somewhat delaying planting a little bit can help, but really then you’re looking at, what are your options in terms of varieties that stand up to wheat streak a little bit better. There’s some things with tolerance. There’s some things with resistance to curl mite.”
K-State has two varieties with resistance to wheat streak mosaic virus, including the hard white wheat Joe and the hard red winter wheat Oakley CL. While these have resistance to wheat streak, farmers may still see some symptoms of triticum mosaic or high plains virus on those varieties.
Joe has a well-stocked disease package, indicating resistance to stripe rust, leaf rust and wheat streak mosaic virus. It also shows good milling and baking qualities. Joe is a strong variety and high yielder for western Kansas.
The Hays breeding program, led by Dr. Guorong Zhang, is working on combining the WSM2 gene with curl mite resistance. Since the wheat curl mite carries all three viruses, this combined resistance can give some protection against the spread of all three.
In addition, Colorado State University has been working on wheat streak resistance and has released some varieties with curl mite resistance. The new hard red winter releases Canvas and Whistler have good wheat streak mosaic virus tolerance through a gene for resistance to the wheat curl mite. Monarch is a new hard white wheat from Colorado State that also has good wheat streak mosaic tolerances.
Avery and Byrd resist the wheat curl mite which gives good resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. Langin also has resistance to wheat curl mite, which is carried from the Byrd parent.
However, Fritz says, “A bunch of those things with curl mite resistance are susceptible to stem rust. I know producers haven’t seen stem rust in a long time, but it’s my recommendation that if they’re growing those varieties with stem rust susceptibility to look at a fungicide application late in the window because stem rust is a warm weather disease.”
Wheat streak mosaic virus resistance is driving many acres to Joe, but Fritz warns that with any hard white wheat, farmers should plan where they’re going to deliver it before they plant it.
KS Venada is another new release from the Hays breeding program. It is a hard white wheat that’s adapted for central Kansas and brings with it excellent milling and baking quality. It is available to certified seed producers this fall and will be available to farmers in 2019.
Another strong option for farmers is Bob Dole, a variety that was developed by K-State, and marketed by Syngenta through the AgriPro Associates.
Fritz says, “It’s a variety with really good quality characteristics. It’s done really well in the central part of the state and well down into Oklahoma. It tolerated the drought quite well in 2018, has a good overall disease package and pretty good fusarium resistance. We think it’s a very strong option for producers.”
“We are in an environment where there are a lot of variety choices. Our release philosophy at K-State has always been relatively conservative in the sense that we really want to make sure that we are putting something that is really better out there rather than just another choice that the producers have to sort through. In general, we’ve really tried to make sure that when we bring something forward through Kansas Wheat Alliance is really what we think is a really good fit for production and has real value on acres.”
Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason receives her medallion of office during her inauguration Friday morning in Hays. Photo courtesy FHSU
HAYS – Proclaiming a theme of “Unlocking Untapped Potential,” Dr. Tisa Mason was inaugurated today as the 10th president of Fort Hays State University in a ceremony in Gross Memorial Coliseum at Fort Hays State University.
She noted that the inauguration is for her a personal and a professional privilege, citing the six and a half years she spent as Fort Hays State’s vice president of student affairs before leaving to be president of Valley City State University in Valley City, N.D.
She said of her previous time at Fort Hays State, “It was during that time that I came to know and love the students, the faculty, the staff, the city and the unique personality of this place.”
“For six and a half years,” she said, “Fort Hays State challenged me and supported me, showing me over and over again the power of hard work and commitment, the value of personal investment, the importance of true community, and the transformative change that happens through innovation.”
“For 116 years,” she continued, leading into the first of three videos that were part of her inauguration address, “these pillars, these lessons I’ve learned, have stood at the core of Fort Hays State University. They are the secret of our ongoing success. They are the ingredients that set us apart. They are the definition of who we are. Our journey has shaped us. Our history has built us. But our story is still being written.”
A transcript of her remarks follow. The address, and the videos that were part of her presentation, are available online at www.fhsu.edu/potential.
Leading into the third and final video, Dr. Mason said, “Today is a formality, but it is not a celebration of me. It is a celebration for us – an inauguration not of a person, but of an institution. Today is our opportunity to pause and reflect on the things that make Fort Hays State University so special: Our spirit of hard work. Our remarkable community. And our enduring legacy of innovation.”
Transcript of Dr. Mason’s prepared remarks
Regent Mullin and members of the Board, thank you for the wonderful investiture ceremony and especially for your support and the trust you have placed in me to join my colleagues in leading this incredible University. It is truly an honor. I proudly accept the responsibility to serve and wholeheartedly pledge to relentlessly pursue the very best for Fort Hays State University.
Wow. I have to tell you the audacity of this moment is surreal. I am truly humbled.
I wish to express my gratitude to a select few. To the inauguration committee and the facilities staff: thank you for planning and flawlessly executing a very personal and memorable set of inaugural activities. I am so extremely grateful.
Heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has spoken so graciously on my behalf and sent notes of congratulations.
My amazing parents, Doug and Arlene Mayer, are here today. I am also joined by my brother-in-law Mac Mason. Other members of my family are joining us virtually. There is nothing more potent in pursuing and achieving dreams than the love and support of a family. Thank you so much for sharing this day with me.
To my mom: Thank you for being an incredible role model, source of strength and inspiration, and my best friend.
I am so fortunate to have a loving and dedicated husband in Bill Mason. Bill, I thank you for being you and especially for always putting me first – changing your career plans and following me all over the country so I could do the work I was called to do. You support me without question and make it possible for me to have so much with little regard for yourself. I hope a small part of you recognizes that this is your day too. I am truly blessed to have you in my life.
I also want to extend a very personal thank you to my many friends and colleagues who have traveled far to be here today representing so many moments in time on my journey both to and back to Fort Hays State University. Please know how grateful I am and that you fill my heart with joy.
Welcome everyone and thank you for being present today as we celebrate this remarkable university. Throughout its 116-year history, Fort Hays State University has been blessed with a community that consistently rallied its support around her, a committed faculty and staff, engaged students, and a strong legacy of presidents. It is on the shoulders of the nine presidents who served before me – as well as Regents, legislators, civic and business leaders, and alumni – that we share this privileged journey forward.
To everyone in this room today, to every member of our global community, to all who have been or will be impacted by our work, it is on your behalf that I proudly accept the responsibility to serve, to lead and to give all that I can to fulfill the mission of Fort Hays State University.
To stand before you today is not just a professional privilege, it is a personal one. As many of you know, this remarkable institution has been immensely formative in my own journey. For six and a half years, I had the opportunity to serve this community as the vice president for student affairs. It was during that time that I came to know and love the students, the faculty, the staff, the city and the unique personality of this place.
For six and a half years, Fort Hays State challenged me and supported me, showing me over and over again the power of hard work and commitment, the value of personal investment, the importance of true community, and the transformative change that happens through innovation.
For 116 years, these pillars, these lessons I’ve learned, have stood at the core of Fort Hays State University. They are the secret of our ongoing success. They are the ingredients that set us apart. They are the definition of who we are. Our journey has shaped us. Our history has built us. But our story is still being written.
Our theme today is “Unlocking Untapped Potential.” I hope that phrase resonates with you as strongly as it does with me. It is a refinement of our mission and our vision, our past and our future. The specifics may change shape, but that vision remains. It is why we exist. Together, all of us are here to unlock the untapped potential of our students to empower our campus, our community, and our world for even greater success.
Take for example this letter recently written to a freshman seminar instructor by Logan – a May 2018 graduate. And I know in my heart the essence of this letter could have been written to anyone who teaches at Fort Hays State.
Logan writes:
“I just wanted to reach out to let you know that I am doing well. My life is busier and fuller than I ever could have imagined. And through it all, I have never forgotten what you did for me. During freshman seminar, we took a self-evaluation quiz. Afterwards, I met with you in your office, where we learned that the evaluation gave me a 25-percent chance of ever earning a college degree. I was devastated. Until I heard your response: ‘That’s a bunch of BS.’ Those words gave me motivation like you wouldn’t believe. You gave me confidence that I could actually graduate. You even gave me a graduation tassel to keep me focused on that goal.
“This past May, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology, with a minor in business administration, and a certificate in geographic information systems.
“I never thought I would be half as successful as I have already been, and each time I achieve something new in my career, the first thing I think of is my time at FHSU, sitting in your office, scared that I would never graduate. I think of the motivation and confidence you provided that put me in the position I am in today.
“That graduation tassel still hangs on my wall as a reminder of all the opportunities I had because you invested in me.”
Every single day, we are investing in students with the personal care and innovative education that will become the foundation for their success.
These aren’t just words, they are our reality. Take the student who wrote that letter. While Logan was a student at Fort Hays State, he used all of the same technology that he now uses in his career – from powerful microscopes to proprietary software to oil well data and more.
Logan had incredible opportunities to get hands-on experiences through classes that brought him out into the field to study rock formations and mapping. Immediately after graduation, he got a job working with a consulting company where he does on-site geology work on drilling rigs.
Today, innovation at Fort Hays State University looks like Logan. Innovation looks like Leadership 310 teams bringing community-changing service-learning projects to every corner of the globe. Innovation looks like the Forsyth librarians teaming up with faculty from new media studies to give access to modular smart classrooms that will enable students to stand inside life-size 3D models, to manipulate interactive data visualization, and to experience interactive exhibits where students can walk through history or a virtual art gallery. Innovation looks like a state-of-the-art applied technology building, where students are learning the latest in metalworking, robotics, electronics and more. Innovation looks like our Maker Van, promoting STEM learning opportunities for students and teachers throughout Western Kansas. And that just scratches the surface.
Fort Hays State University truly is transforming students through innovation in education. We are creating a ripple effect that spreads throughout the state of Kansas and ultimately impacts students, families, industries, and communities around the world.
Today is a formality, but it is not a celebration of me. It is a celebration for us – an inauguration not of a person, but of an institution. Today is our opportunity to pause and reflect on the things that make Fort Hays State University so special: Our spirit of hard work. Our remarkable community. And our enduring legacy of innovation.
Nikki Omenski (left), Development Director at GBCF, and Lewis Young, Board of Directors at Welcome Inn
GREAT BEND, Kan. –Golden Belt Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of two new endowment funds to benefit the Welcome Inn Leisure Center, Inc. and The Center for Counseling and Consultation. This partnership with the community foundation allows individuals and businesses interested in supporting and sustaining these important organizations another vehicle for their charitable giving.
“Some individuals wish to support an organization through endowment giving because they know their gift will be invested and continue to support their favorite charity in perpetuity,” said Christy Tustin, Golden Belt Community Foundation Executive Director, “and these partnerships provide a great opportunity to connect donors to these great causes.”
Endowment funds are funds permanently set aside and invested for long-term use, the principal of which is protected, and the earnings of which benefit the charitable organization. Generally, up to five percent of the endowment fund is granted back to the organization annually. By establishing these funds, Welcome Inn Leisure Center, Inc. and The Center for Counseling and Consultation will benefit by reaching more potential donors, being able to offer free estate planning, and receiving annual distributions to support their mission. When organizations work through community foundations, they can build their funds to provide lasting support and take advantage of investment economies of scale and planned giving expertise.
Anyone may contribute to the Welcome Inn Leisure Center, Inc. and The Center for Counseling and Consultation Endowment Funds and gifts are accepted in any amount. The Golden Belt Community Foundation accepts gifts in the form of cash, stock, real estate, and can assist individuals with leaving a gift through their will or trust. All donations are tax-deductible.
Golden Belt Community Foundation
At $22.5 million in total assets and more than 180 funds under management, Golden Belt Community Foundation has been connecting people who care to causes that matter since 1996. Golden Belt Community Foundation exists to provide non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving for donors. GBCF serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford. For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.
BOOKED: Michael Mickle of Salina on BTDC warrant for probation violation, bond set at $863 cash only.
BOOKED: Tina Marie Creamer on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court, no bond.
BOOKED: Brandi Milford of Kingman on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence.
RELEASED: Kristy L. Deroun-Fontenot to Allen County for their warrant for failure to appear.
RELEASED: Jonathan Stemm of Great Bend on GBMC cases, all for contempt of court per GBMC.
RELEASED: Dale Byerly on BCDC case. Case dismissed. Ordered for release per Judge Burgess.
RELEASED: Ryan Lang on BTDC case for criminal threat, case was dismissed and was ordered to be released. Remains on probation.
RELEASED: Jared Johnston of Hoisington on Hoisington Municipal Court case for no proof of insurance and driving while suspended after receiving an 18-hour OR bond.
RELEASED: Jeremie Scott on BCDC warrant for aggravated domestic battery after posting a $20,000 C/S through Ace Bail Bonding. BCDC warrant for possession of controlled substance, battery, possession of drug paraphernalia after posting a $10,000 C/S bond through Ace Bail Bonding.
written by: Rip Winkel, Horticultural Agent for Cottonwood Extension District
Due to being out of town this week, I am forwarding for print this article from KSU’s Horticultural Department on the importance of rotating crops that are typically grown in back yard vegetable gardens. It is recommended that this rotation is practiced every season, in three year cycles. Rotation helps avoid soil-borne diseases like verticillium wilt, and pests like nematodes, and beetle larvae. If you opt not to rotate your vegetable crops, you may eventually find yourself fighting off problems that would have otherwise been avoided. Here is the article:
Rotating vegetable crops is a standard way of helping prevent disease from being carried over from one year to the next. Rotation means that crops are moved to different areas of the garden each year. Planting the same crop, or a related crop, in the same area each year can lead to a build-up of [various diseases]. Also, different crops vary in the depth and density of the root system as well as extract different levels of nutrients. As a rule, cool-season crops such as cabbage, peas, lettuce and onions have relatively sparse, shallow root systems and warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers and melons have deeper, better developed root systems. Therefore, it can be helpful to rotate warm-season and cool-season crops.
As mentioned earlier, it is also a good idea to avoid planting closely related crops in the same area as diseases may be shared among them. For example, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant are closely related, [i.e. nightshade or Solanaceae group]. Also, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts share many characteristics in common [i.e. Curcurbitaceae family]. So, it is recommended that you do not plant cabbage where broccoli was the previous year or tomatoes where the peppers were.
Why is this important to bring this up in the fall? Now is the time to make a sketch of your garden so that the layout is not forgotten when it is time to plant next year.
When USD 428 Board of Education member Don Williams asked school administration about a bill for bus repairs, the board was informed of issues with a couple of their activity buses.
The district purchased activity bus number one in 2005 as a used vehicle that already had over 300,000 miles. USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says the bus had its issues going to Andover a couple of weeks ago for a Great Bend High School football game.
Khris Thexton Audio
An August 31st bill showed $13,343 being paid to Murphy Truck Repair for bus repairs. Thexton noted every year all the buses have to go through an inspection to make sure they are road ready, and the bill was for multiple maintenance projects on several buses. With that said, the possibility of hiring their own bus mechanic is on the table.
Khris Thexton Audio
The process of looking for a replacement for bus one is underway.
There is not a no vacancy sign on the Barton County Detention Center but if the jail population continues to grow, Sheriff Brian Bellendir might want to invest in one. Bellendir says the jail in bulging with prisoners right now with not much room to spare.
Brian Bellendir Audio
The obvious question is why the increase in prisoners.
The Sheriff says several arrests made at the end of August and early September have contributed to the problem. But he says the main culprit is the amount of time it is taking prisoners to move through the legal system.
Brian Bellendir Audio
When the jail is at near capacity, the cost to house those prisoners goes up while the amount of revenue that the county can generate by housing prisoners from other counties goes down. Bellendir says the detention center is not currently holding any prisoners for other counties due to the limited jail space that is being experienced at this time.
Three veteran employees of Sunflower Diversified Services were among the many honored recently in observance of Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. From left: Diane Ramos has served for 34 years; Penny Rhodes for 28; and Lisa Sterba for 22.
The people who offer personal care and guidance to Sunflower Diversified Services clients have been recognized for the work they do behind the scenes.
Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, Sept. 9-15, shines a light on the invaluable role these Sunflower employees play in clients’ lives, said Sarah Krom, chief operating officer.
Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves people with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.
“Our direct support professionals offer their expertise to our clients in their homes and at work every day,” Krom said. “Some of our clients need 24-hour-a-day support, while others might need help a few hours a day or just a few hours a week.
“But whatever the level of need, Sunflower staff members receive comprehensive training designed for the specific needs of individuals,” Krom added. “This training also involves working with an experienced colleague during initial home visits. We spend a lot of time and money on this because our clients deserve the best.”
Direct support responsibilities include: conducting safety and security checks; providing companionship; accompanying clients on community outings; taking clients to medical and other appointments; employment training; and providing hands-on support. In some cases, they care for people who are medically fragile and require intensive physical care. They do this in cooperation with Sunflower’s medical department and local health-care professionals.
“In every situation, the goal is the same – meeting the needs of our clients while offering them options about where to live and work, and how to spend their leisure time,” Krom said. “Our direct care professionals provide avenues that lead to the highest level of independence possible.
“This, in turn, leads to productive and rewarding lives for our clients,” she added. “The confidence and self-respect they achieve means everything to them.”
Amanda Urban, director of adult services, noted that some applicants for the job might be a bit apprehensive at first. But the initial and ongoing training alleviates that apprehension in a majority of cases.
“New staff members soon learn that clients look forward to their visits,” Urban said. “The personal rewards for each employee are extremely gratifying. Our direct care employees are the backbone of the services we offer.”
Urban also noted that Sunflower offers flexible hours for full-time and part-time work.
“If someone wants to make this a full-time career, we can accommodate. However, those looking for part-time work or maybe a second job can find a home at Sunflower.
“The best part of direct support employment is watching people grow and building relationships with them,” Urban added. “Our clients are given options and then make their own lifestyle decisions. If you have a passion for supporting and serving people in this way, direct care is worth considering.”
Sunflower currently has openings. The agency serves infants, toddlers and adults in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. It is in its 52nd year.
There is not a no vacancy sign on the Barton County Detention Center but if the jail population continues to grow, Sheriff Brian Bellendir might want to invest in one. Bellendir says the jail in bulging with prisoners right now with not much room to spare.
