First as usual, a drought update is in order and it will be brief.  The rains prior to 8 a.m. August 28, significantly improved drought conditions across the state.  Our immediate area in the west is no longer considered lacking moisture and the east is only abnormally dry.  The area no longer deficient has expanded eastward to about the middle of the state.  The area of extreme and exceptional drought has retreated to northeast Kansas.  Only a small section is in exceptional drought.  We will have to wait to see what conditions look like as of this Tuesday.  This bodes well for grain sorghum and soybean crops as well as alfalfa.  Wheat farmers are also in much better shape than last year at this time which leads to today’s topic.  This isn’t an exhaustive list of what needs done but a few highlights.

• For producers planting wheat after corn, grain sorghum, or soybeans, determine the Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) levels of your soil heading into wheat planting. Much of the area has received significant rain and many fields of soybeans and grain sorghum are heading towards good to excellent yields.  A soil test would be best.  Just remember the differences in obtaining a good soil test for nutrients like P vs. N.  For producers on sandier soils, but really most soils, a Sulfur (S) test, which could be the same sample as the N test might be a good idea.  Sulfur is necessary for good protein levels in wheat.  If a producer hasn’t fertilized for Potassium (K) recently, and many soils in the area are fairly high in potassium, consider fertilizing for Chloride (Cl).  Again Cl is more likely to be lacking on sandier soils.  If a producer doesn’t want to spend money on soil testing, at the very least ballpark the amount of nutrients removed in the crop immediately behind wheat planting.  And in determining fertilizer needs use a realistic yield goal.  One final note, apply approximately one-third of your N needs prior to planting.
• Weeds are abundant with the recent rains. Naturally, they must be controlled chemically, with tillage, or with a combination of both.  Most soils should have adequate to good soil moisture levels to establish the crop, however, excessive tillage trips and too aggressive tillage can rapidly deplete soil moisture.  Tillage should be as shallow as possible while controlling weeds.  If waiting to harvest fall crops first, consider chemical control and no-till planting.  If needing tillage in this situation, again deep enough to do the job but as shallow as possible.  And it is important to leave as mush residue as possible to protect against erosion and conserve soil moisture.
• With the rains there is a great deal of volunteer wheat out there. Make sure it is controlled at least two weeks prior to planting and within two miles of wheat fields.  As most wheat producers know, volunteer wheat is a wonderful home for the wheat curl mite which will move to newly planted wheat and infect plants with Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus which can devastate wheat yields.
• Finally, unless wheat is to be pastured or a field is extremely sandy, producers should do their best to observe the fly free planting date to avoid Hessian fly infestations and minimize fall infection with Barley Yellow Dwarf.

The Great Bend Recreation Commission and City of Great Bend have moved forward with the redesign and upgrade to the disc golf course at Veterans Memorial Park.

In June it was announced the plan to use a donation to improve the 18-hole disc golf course and replace the toddler playground in the southeast corner at Vets.

Driving through Vets Park last week, people saw large piles of dirt from the work on the new concrete pads for each disc golf hole. Here’s GBRC Executive Director Diann Henderson.

Diann Henderson Audio

The Golden Belt Community Foundation awarded the GBRC Foundation $41,047 for the projects. A consultant provided the City with a championship design that includes new baskets and signage.

Diann Henderson Audio

Henderson expects the redesigned disc golf course to be finished in two or three weeks. Plans to choose the style of playground equipment and colors should be done by next month with installation happening either late fall or early next spring.

Kansas lawmakers passed a plan to phase in an additional $522 million over the next five years to school funding. The effects are already showing up in actions taken by local school boards across the state.

USD 428 in Great Bend bumped the base salaries up for new teachers by $1,300 and returning teachers by $1,700. Wichita school teachers received more than a 3.5 percent increase in salary while teachers in Topeka received nearly an eight percent boost.

School funding still seems to be trending upward, but wherever it stops, USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says Great Bend has a solid foundation with their finances.

Khris Thexton Audio

The USD 428 Board of Education also approved a budget for the 2018-2019 school year that dropped its mill levy by 4.8 mills. The reason being, more state aid came into the district resulting in less funding needed from local taxpayers.

Story by Micah Oelze-gobarton.com

Barton Community College Sophomore Raley Mantz was one of 280 community college students from across the U.S. (one of five from Kansas) to be part of the NASA College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) on-site experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center this summer.

“Since I was little, I have always been fascinated by the stars and caught myself wondering what is out there,”  Mantz said.

Mantz discovered the NCAS program when she began searching for different internship opportunities. Working for NASA is one of her dream careers, so she knew this was right up her alley.

“While everyone was bored in middle school with physics and the planets, I was always very tuned in,” she said.

Her NCAS Journey began when Mantz was selected to participate in a five-week online activity program.

“The online experience gives you an in-depth understanding of NASA,” she said. “They also talked about how they are partnering with companies like SpaceX.”

A significant part of the online section is quizzes and projects.

“The project I chose was to make a useful Mars mission and what it would consist, why I chose the location, who would work it, how I would reach out to the public, what government facilities would benefit and what other ways it would society benefit,” Mantz said. “It was a huge 10-page essay I had to send in.”

Of the students who participated in the online portion, 280 were selected to take part in the four-day on-site experience.

“It was a super competitive process,” she said.

The on-site event at NASA’s Johnson Space Center offers students the opportunity to interact with NASA engineers and others as they learn more about careers in science and engineering. While at NASA, students form teams and establish fictional companies interested in Mars exploration. Each team is responsible for developing and testing a prototype rover, creating a company infrastructure, managing a budget, and developing communications and outreach. The experience also includes briefings by NASA subject matter experts, information on how to apply for internships and a tour of NASA’s unique facilities.

Listening to stories from NASA interns with different backgrounds ranging from the traditional studious intern to single mothers, was one of the most significant take-away experiences for Mantz.

“We met a girl who dropped out of middle school and got pregnant at 15. Now she is an intern at NASA through this program,” she said. “NASA has this stigma that it is for only Ph.D.s and it’s not. It is for people who are determined in any field who want to do research for society and figure out what is out there.”

With NASA being her dream job, participating in this program is something she hopes will help her in her future career.

If NASA does not work out, Matnz said anywhere she is happy is the best result. She plans to study Aerospace Engineering at Wichita State University after she graduates from Barton in December with an associate in physics.

NCAS is an activity funded in part by the Minority University Research and Education Program, or MUREP, which is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in authentic learning experiences to sustain a diverse workforce.

“NASA College Aerospace Scholars not only inspires community college students to advance in STEM fields, but it also opens doors for future careers at NASA,” Joeletta Patrick, Minority University Research and Education Project Manager said. “NCAS has a legacy of alumni moving from NASA internships to and ultimately entering the NASA workforce. It is rewarding to see the progression of a student from NCAS participant to NASA colleague.”

For additional information, please contact NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars by email at JSC-NCAS@mail.nasa.gov or by phone at (281) 483-0493. For more information, visit ncas.aerospacescholars.org.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that the Sheriff’s Office Reserves will be hosting “Kids Camp” on October 13, 2018.

The event is open to kids in Barton County from age 8 to age 14 and is an opportunity to interact with law enforcement and observe techniques and law enforcement operations. Various law enforcement and emergency personnel will be present to assist with the demonstrations.

Community youth will be able to observe accident investigations, crime scene investigations as well as emergency medical treatment. Eagle Med will be landing a helicopter at the location (weather permitting) and demonstrate air transport procedures. The Sheriff’s Office Entry Team will be giving a demonstration as to the equipment and tactics used by their unit. Basic firearm safety is also part of the training.

The Sheriff’s Office Reserve is a division of the Sheriff’s Office, under direct command of the Sheriff and is a nonprofit organization that assists Barton County law enforcement with special assignments and events.

Any area youth with interest in law enforcement or other emergency services is encouraged to attend. There is no fee for this event, but you must preregister at the Sheriff’s Office by calling 620-793-1876. Applications must be received prior to October 1, 2018. Sign up early, seating is limited.

All things “butterfly” will be the focus of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s Butterfly Festival from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 15. From puppet shows to tagging monarch butterflies, kids and adults will find plenty to do during this free event.

New this year, Bubba and Trixie, a puppet magic show, by the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, tells the story of a scaredy-cat caterpillar too afraid to leave its leaf until it meets a fearless lady bug. Through their adventures, including the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly, they form true friendship and face their fears.

“We’re excited to have StoneLion Puppet Theatre present,” said Curtis Wolf, KWEC site manager. “And we’re hoping for a lot of monarchs for everyone to catch and tag.”

With a performing troupe of 11 puppeteers, StoneLion Puppets presents throughout Kansas. Using traditional and unique props, they perform shows with environmental, literary and holiday-related themes. StoneLion Puppets will present three 30-minute shows at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., with a puppet craft in-between shows and walking puppets.

Nets and tags will be available for those who want to capture and tag monarch butterflies. Participants will receive information about the tagging process before heading out with a tagging leader to search for Monarch butterflies. During the last three years, 16 tagged monarchs released at KWEC have been recovered from winter roosts in Mexico.

“It’s shaping up to be a good year locally for monarch butterflies,” said Pam Martin, KDWPT education specialist. “We’ve been finding lots of caterpillars and adults in the KWEC pollinator garden.

Weather permitting, an exhibit bee hive will be on display in the insect zoo in addition to fluorescing scorpions, giant walking stick insects, butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises. Plan to spend the morning, as door prizes will be presented around noon, along with free milkweed plants (one per family). Information on butterfly-friendly plants and composting will be available from the Barton County Master Gardeners group, along with examples of butterfly-friendly plants in the KWEC pollinator garden.

Kids can play in the mud and make a seed bomb of soil mixture and native flower seeds, to take home to plant. Find your inner insect by taking your photo at monarch butterfly and caterpillar photo boards and dress-up area. Create caterpillar and butterfly crafts in the class room, then refuel with light refreshments and drinks. Temporary tattoos and other activities round out the morning’s events.

For more information contact KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 or visit: wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
September 4, 2018 – 9:00 a.m. until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider Minutes of the August 27, 2018, Regular Meeting.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item
must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being
recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any
organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the
media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the
period of August 20, 2018, and ending September 4, 2018.

III. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings,
will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

IV. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be
heard at this time.

A. JUVENILE SERVICES: Electric Door Locks and Access Controlling Software:
-The Juvenile Services Department has two doors that currently employ
mechanical keypad door locks. For security reasons, it is routinely necessary to
change the codes, which is very costly. The Information Technology
Department researched alternatives and proposes replacing the mechanical
keypad locks with electronic door locks which can be remotely programmed
and controlled. Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services Director, will provide
details.

B. FIRE DISTRICT NO. 2: Appointment of a Board of Trustees Member:
-In May, 2018, the Commission adopted a Resolution creating Fire District No. 2.
Per the Resolution, a Board of Trustee provides oversight for this Fire District. The
Board of Trustees shall consist of not more than one (1) appointed person from
each participating township and not more than one (1) from each participating
city. The one remaining position, representing Union Township, expires
December 31, 2020. Brian Bitter has applied. Phil Hathcock, County
Administrator, will provide details.

C. COUNTY SERVICES: Informational Update:
-Mr. Hathcock will provide the informational report of work completed during
the last period. The report, which will be made available to the media, will serve
as a public reminder of the services provided by the County on a regular basis.

D. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Attorney-Client Privilege:
-The Commission will enter into Executive Session. The Commission may invite
such parties as needed into said Session. It is anticipated that Phil Hathcock,
County Administrator; Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk / Assistant County
Administrator; and Carey Hipp, County Counselor, will be invited into said
Session. The Commission meeting will resume in ten minutes.

E. ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: Attorney-Client Privilege:
-The Commission will make any necessary announcements as a result of the
Executive Session. If necessary, further discussion or a decision may be made at
this time.

V. ENDING BUSINESS

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the
authorization of personnel changes, sign any documentation approved during
the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular
County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.

B. APPOINTMENTS: SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
9:30 a.m. or close of the Agenda Meeting – Department Head Meeting with the
Commissioners. Department Head meetings are held in the Courthouse
Conference Room, Room 101. After the Department Head meeting is closed,
the Commission will return to their Chambers.
10:30 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator,
and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Sheriff Brian Bellendir
is scheduled for September 6, 2018.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial
consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular
business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments
related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday, September 10,
2018.

VII. ADJOURN.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission is forming its September sessions of exercise classes.

Join Dixie Divis for Noon Body Shaping that meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:10 – 12:50 pm beginning September 5^th through 28^th.  During this class, participants will do some strength building exercises that burn fat, tone and firm specific body areas.  Don’t worry – you won’t need to shower after this class, so you can get back to work on time.

Divis will also be instructing Cardio Blast exercise classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 – 6:30 pm beginning September 5^th through 26^th.  This class is a high energy cardio workout that gets your heart rate up with a variety of intense cardio classes, such as Step, Kickboxing, interval training and floor routines.

Divis will be instructing Yoga classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 – 7:30 pm beginning September 5^th through 26^th.  Quiet the mind and body while increasing flexibility, improving balance and strength during this Yoga class.

She will also be instructing Wake Up Workout on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 – 6:00 am beginning September 4^th through 27^th.  Get your day started with this cardio core circuit that will be a high energy group aerobics class incorporating interval, circuit and boot camp style classes to strengthen and tone your entire body.

Dixie will also be teaching a Fit Trail Fitness class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:45 – 6:30 pm beginning September 4^th through October 18^th.  Get in shape while enjoying the outdoors with Fit Trail Fitness!  This class will include cardio, body weight exercises and circuit style training by utilizing the Great Bend Fit Trail located on the north side of Veterans Memorial Park (17^th & McKinley St.).

All classes except the Fit Trail Fitness class will be held at the Great Bend Activity Center located at 2715 18^th Street.  Pre-registration is required.  Enroll at the Recreation Commission office located at 1214 Stone Street.  For more information, call 793-3755 ext. 110.