RUSSELL COUNTY —The body of a missing man was recovered Sunday at Wilson Lake.

Just before 1:20a.m. Sunday, Russell County 911 received calls reporting a swimmer that was missing at Lake Wilson, according to the Russell County Sheriff’s Department.

Callers reported the man attempted to swim out to a boat that had come loose and was floating away.

Just before 7:30 a.m., searchers recovered the body of a 35-year-old  identified as the missing swimmer.

Authorities are not releasing the name pending the notification of family.

Confusing? Maybe. Slightly different? Yes.

The 2018 primary election scheduled for next Tuesday will be the first for Barton County to combine the partisan and nonpartisan election. Voters registered as Independent or unaffiliated with a party, can still vote in the local primary if they affiliate with either the Democratic or Republican party.

Barton County Election Officer Donna Zimmerman says this will only apply to voters in Ward 1 of the City of Great Bend.

Donna Zimmerman Audio

The Kansas statute reads, “In cities in which a district of election is in effect, if there are more than three qualified candidates for any member district there shall be a primary election. The names of the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for any such member district at the primary election shall appear on the ballots in the general election.”

The only ward that has more than three candidates this year is Ward 1 for the Great Bend City Council, effecting voters in the northeast portion of city limits.

Donna Zimmerman Audio

All the other district-based candidates will be placed on the ballots in the general election. Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen are elected in the August primary and do not advance to the November general election.

Zimmerman added all the voting locations are the same as the previous years, but information on polling places can be found at bartoncounty.org or by searching your address on the Voter View website.

PRATT COUNTY. — One person was injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Saturday in Pratt County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven by Larry E. Kater, 72, Pratt, one was northbound on K61 six miles north of Pratt.

The driver made an evasive maneuver to the right, overcorrected crossing the roadway into the left ditch and continued northbound into a privately owned fence.

Kater was transported to Pratt Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

BUSINESS NEWS

Register for the Great Bend Rec’s Oozefest Mud Volleyball Tournament during The City of Great Bend’s Annual Party in the Park. The volleyball tournament will be located in North Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, August 11.

Register at the Great Bend Rec 1214 Stone Street, call or fax. Team fee is $75. The deadline to sign up is Thursday, August 9. Don’t be late, spots fill up fast!

For more information on this muddy volleyball tournament, contact the GBRC office at 793-3755, Ext 110, website www.greatbendrec.com or Facebook page @Great Bend Rec.

written by: Rip Winkel – Horticulture Agent, Cottonwood Extension District

With vast geographic distribution and a plethora of vulnerable host plants, the irregular looking field dodder (Cuscuta campestris) is one of the most widespread and most harmful pests among the flowering parasitic plants.

Field dodder can easily become a problem in flower gardens, vegetable gardens (e.g. tomato, sweet pepper, potatoes and cabbage), or possibly even show up in greenhouse crops. The most devastating damage, however, comes from field dodder outbreaks in newly-established perennial legume crops (alfalfa, clover, etc.), which are generally the preferred hosts of this plant species.

Field dodder may be known by common names such as strangleweed, witch’s hair, or devils’ hair. It is composed of golden yellow, leafless "threads" that twine all throughout and over its victim plant as well as those plants around it. These threads attach themselves with short, suction-cup-like suckers that originate from the base of the dodder stems. The suckers will then penetrate the stems of host plants where it will access all of its needed nourishment.

Because this plant is an annual it must replicate from seed, ergo flowering is crucial to its survival. The flowers of the field dodder are small, whitish, and 1/4 inch in diameter. They appear on the plant anywhere from April to October and will produce a seedpod that is two-celled and four-seeded.

Plants growing in the current season will be killed by the first frost of the fall. The seeds might sprout the following spring, or they may lie dormant for a number of years. Germination for this plant takes place in the soil, but interestingly the field dodder’s roots die as soon as the plant finds and penetrates an acceptable host. After attachment, the field dodder leeches its nourishment totally from the host plant. A single dodder plant can spread by branching and attacking additional host plants.

The field dodder cannot be destroyed by pulling it off the host plants. This is because remaining stem pieces will continue to grow, re-establishing itself once again. Destroying the host plants can control dodder. This method, however, usually is not too favorable a solution for many a gardener or farmer. Chemical control can be had by using Trifluralin (Preen, Miracle-Gro Garden Weed Preventer, Treflan, Hi-Yield Herbicide Granules Weed and Grass
Stopper). It is a pre-emergent herbicide that can be used for control if applied before the dodder seed germinates. This may be your best option. There is always glyphosate (Round-up, Kleen-up, Killzall, etc.), which is quite effective on dodder. However, glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide and will kill whatever it hits, including the host plants.

The Great Bend chapter of the League of Women Voters hosted a Candidate Forum Tuesday night at Great Bend High School. Eagle Radio’s News Director Steve Webster was there covering the event for KVGB. The forum was broadcast on 1590 AM and 97.7 FM Wednesday night.

You can listen to the entire forum (divided in groups) by clicking the links below.

Kansas’ 1st Congressional District

Barton County Commission

Great Bend City Council (Opening comments & 1st question)

Great Bend City Council (2nd question & closing remarks)

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Budget Hearing and Agenda Meeting Monday, July 30, 2018
9:00 a.m. Until Close

BUDGET HEARING – This Budget Hearing has been scheduled for the purpose of
reviewing the proposed 2019 Operating Budget for Barton County.

BUDGET HEARING: 2019 Operating Budget:
-Elected officials, Department Heads and supported agencies were asked to
submit preliminary budget requests for the 2019 Operating Year. After reviewing
the requests, the Commission then overviewed the proposed budget and made
revisions. The proposed 2019 Operating Budget is now presented to the Barton
County Commission to receive public comment. Phil Hathcock, County
Administrator, will present details.

CLOSE BUDGET HEARING

AGENDA MEETING
Immediately Following the Close of the Budget Hearing

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 July 23, 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. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings,
will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

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

A. RESOLUTION 2018-14: A Resolution Expressing the Property Taxation Policy of the
Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, with Respect to
Financing the 2019 Annual Budget for Barton County:
-Resolution 2018-14, Expressing the Property Taxation Policy of the County, details
the costs of providing services. Matt Patzner, Finance Officer, will present
details.

B. ADOPTION OF THE 2019 BARTON COUNTY OPERATING BUDGET:
-At the Budget Hearing for the Proposed 2019 Operating Budget for Barton
County, conducted prior to this Regular Agenda Meeting, public comments
were received. The Commission is now asked to consider adoption of the
budget. Mr. Hathcock will provide details.

C. ADOPTION OF THE 2019 AUTHORIZED POSITIONS LISTING:
-To assure that offices are operating with appropriate personnel, the 2019
Authorized Positions listing is presented for adoption. The listing includes all
County positions, including Central Kansas Community Corrections and 20th
Judicial District Juvenile Services, since both fall under the umbrella of County
operations. Mr. Hathcock will provide details.

D. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN:
-Through the budgeting process, Barton County plans for cash transfers, as
savings, to the Capital Improvement Plan. This plan, as revised each year,
allows for the projected maintenance and remodeling of County buildings and
major modifications to roads and bridges. Mr. Hathcock will present the plan.

E. EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PLAN:
-Through the budgeting process, Barton County plans for cash transfers, as
savings, to the Equipment Replacement Plan. The plan is developed and
revised each year for the purpose of ensuring that equipment costs is kept at a
manageable level. Mr. Hathcock will present the plan.

F. SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, INC: Agreement for Services:
-Southwest Developmental Services, Inc. (SDSI) is the Community
Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) for the County. Under the 2019
service agreement, SDSI will provide all services required by Kansas statutes for a
CDDO for a total of $70,000.00. Mr. Hathcock will provide details.
IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following
items, including announcements, will be heard.

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the
authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, 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:
JULY 30, 2018
9:45 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Regular Business
Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman,
County Clerk
10:30 a.m. – Budget Hearing and Agenda Meeting – Governing Board of Fire
District No. 1
10:45 a.m. – Purchase of 800 radio equipment and upgrades – Dena Popp, 911
Director
11:00 a.m. – Program Update – Cottonwood Extension District
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Phil Hathcock,
County Administrator, is scheduled for August 2, 2018.

V. 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, August 6, 2018.

VI. ADJOURN.

Maycie Hestand, Great Bend native, has her sights set on medical school and an eventual return to her hometown community. It will be her way of giving back to the people who are helping her achieve her educational goals.

Hestand is one of 40 local students who has earned an Archer Scholarship through the Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF). The fund was established at the GBCF in 2013 and recently surpassed $100,000 in scholarships awarded.

Since 2015 when she was a freshman, Hestand has received $6,500 from the Archer family. The fund is unique because it is renewable for up to four years; it has awarded $132,000 so far.

Hestand’s undergraduate major is human biology with psychology emphasis at the University of Kansas. She is now a senior at KU and has aspirations to be a surgeon.

“I have always hoped to be able to return to Great Bend after school so that I can help my community,” said Hestand, 21, a Great Bend High School graduate. “Because of the Golden Belt Community Foundation and the Archer family, I am continuing my education.

“I am looking forward to returning home to help my community just as it is helping me now,” she added. “I could not be more grateful.”

The Archer sisters were lifelong Ellinwood residents. Vida, Dorothy and Vivian Archer were born in the early 1900s; their parents were Charles Quincy and Margaret Ewers Archer.

Sue Cooper, GBCF program officer, said “the Archer family had great heart and faith, and a real sense of community. The sisters cared deeply about students being able to attain higher education.

“They had the vision of endowing a scholarship fund that would perpetually assist local students with the increasing costs of attending college,” Cooper continued.

“Clearly, they valued the opportunities post-secondary education could provide.”

“Maycie is a standout student who has maintained a strong grade point average during her years at KU,” Cooper said. “You can tell by her grades she is working diligently to get into medical school.”

Anyone interested in starting a scholarship fund may contact Cooper by calling 620-792-3000. The GBCF manages several scholarship funds established by local individuals and families. Scholarships can reward personal and academic achievement; memorialize a loved one; carry on a family tradition; or support a favorite team.

“Each scholarship fund has its own unique criteria for selecting recipients,” Cooper noted. “These could include academic achievement, financial need, educational and career goals, and community involvement.”

For more information, visit www.goldenbeltcf.org/scholarships. The GBCF anticipates having scholarship applications available by mid-December.

written by: Donna Krug, District Director and Family & Consumer Science Agent – K-State Research & Extension – Cottonwood District

Every year I find myself saying the same four words, “Where did summer go?”

Families with kids adapted to a summer schedule filled with t-ball, camp, swimming lessons, and 4-H activities and now the schedule is about to change again! With the start of school just a few short weeks away it is the perfect time to call a family meeting and get everyone on board with the new routine.

Research shows that kids ages 3 to 6 need ten to twelve hours of sleep each day. As youngsters begin pre-school or the early grades it is important to have a set bedtime with a routine that encourages success. Perhaps you want to target 8 p.m. as bedtime. If so you will want to begin the wind down process around 7. Perhaps a warm bath and bed time story help your child to relax.

Planning what will be worn the next day or eaten for breakfast also encourages a less hectic morning when the alarm goes off. Whatever you want to adopt as a routine, now is a good time to start working toward your final goal.

If the summer schedule has been lax, start moving the bedtime up a few minutes each day until your target is reached. That should help make the first day of school a success.

One of the most important messages I like to share at this time of year is to “Eat breakfast every day.” As kids start back to school they need to start each day with some nutritious food in their
stomachs. It’s really brain food. Countless studies have shown that kids perform better in school, and are less irritable, when their day starts with breakfast. There is no doubt about it: our bodies need to refuel after not eating for 10-12 hours. So why is it that breakfast is the meal most often skipped? The most common answers I hear are that “there isn’t time” or “my kids aren’t hungry in the morning.”

As you plan to start each day with breakfast, keep in mind the following tips. Breakfast does not have to be a big meal. Try to include something from the grain group as well as a fruit. Breakfast does not have to be traditional. Be creative; nutritious foods are healthy any time of the day. Last night’s leftovers can be reheated in a hurry. Peanut butter can be spread on a piece of whole grain toast and served with a glass of 100% fruit juice. Equal amounts of juice, milk and yogurt can be combined for a smoothie like treat. Get your day off to a great start and be a breakfast eater!

And finally, if you live close enough to school can your children safely walk or bike to school? Research shows that starting your day with some physical activity (i.e. walking to school) encourages
better concentration and behavior in the classroom. If your schedule allows it, do a trial run with your child; either walking or biking on a safe route to the front door of the school.

Here’s hoping your school year gets off to a great start!

On Thursday, July 26 the Barton County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Golden Belt Humane Society and the Barton County Health Department in the execution of a search warrant. The two organizations had been investigating a case of animal cruelty and maintaining a public nuisance.

At about 2:30 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office and representatives from the Health Department and Humane Society executed a search warrant in the 400 block of North East 110 Avenue.

Upon entering the residence excessive quantities of feces and extremely unsanitary conditions were observed. Twenty cats, four dogs and two chickens were removed from inside the residence. Another 10 cats, two dogs a horse and a donkey were found outside of the residence. A decaying horse carcass was also found in a barn. It had been there for several months.

All the animals were taken to the Golden Belt Humane Society to be examined by a veterinarian. Many of the animals showed signs of neglect or poor health. The residence was deemed to be unlivable.

One subject was arrested. Cletus Wolford, age 63 of Ellinwood was taken into custody on charges of cruelty to animals, maintaining a public nuisance and obstruction of officers. He is being held in lieu of a $2,500 bond. Further charges may be sought.