Another day and another visit to Great Bend by a candidate seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. Current Secretary of State Kris Kobach and his running mate, Wichita businessman Wink Hartman, both stopped by the Eagle Media Center Friday seeking an opportunity to lay out their vision for the state under a Kobach administration. Kobach talked about many issues including education funding in Kansas.

Kris Kobach Audio

Another high priority for Kobach is funding for Kansas roads. He says the recent trend of raiding K-DOT to help shore up the state budget will come to an end if he is elected governor.

Kris Kobach Audio

After stopping in Great Bend Friday afternoon, Kobach and Hartman both headed to Ellinwood where they attended the Ellinwood After Harvest Festival.

#TeamKobach out in full force at the Ellinwood After Harvest Festival Parade. We are out meeting Kansans, talking about our plan to #FixTopeka and Make Kansas Great Again and listening to how they want a team that will cut taxes and grow jobs. #ksleg #ksgov #MKGA pic.twitter.com/HaZcyStx33

— Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) July 21, 2018

 

We visited L.D. Drilling in Great Bend to talk more about the oil and gas industry. We are committed to cutting taxes and red tape that allows business to grow jobs statewide, including within the energy industry. We will create jobs in rural communities. #ksleg #MKGA #TeamKobach pic.twitter.com/YpsAw7ckVF

— Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) July 22, 2018

 

Kobach is part of a crowded field in the republican primary for governor that includes current Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, former state senator Jim Barnett, current Insurance Commission Ken Selzer and former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer.

RUSSELL COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Russell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by Leonard L. Hejny, 66, Gorham, was northbound on 177th Street seven miles west of U.S. 281.

The pickup entered the east ditch, traveled through a KDOT fence, continued north over the eastbound lanes, landed in the median, traveled across the westbound lanes and hit a guardrail.

Hejny was transported to Wesley Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP

As Kevin Fern continues to walk across the country to support oncology camps, he has realized his body does not bounce back as easy from the wear and tear.

An altered, shorter route has the California man coming through Kansas pushing his IV pole that holds several cancer wristbands of children across the country, including Nova Martensen. The Great Bend two-year old passed away this past January from cancer. Since then, her family including her father Josh, have attempted to find ways to bring awareness to childhood cancer.

Kevin Fern Audio

Instead of walking through the southeast portion of the country, Fern shaved off 600 miles coming through Kansas along his journey to get to Boston Children’s Hospital. The walk started on March 25 in California.

Fern is averaging 25-30 miles per day and often stops at oncology camps along the way. The business owner from Los Angeles praised Camp Hope in Great Bend and visited Camp Quality in Wichita last Thursday.

Kevin Fern Audio

You can follow along with Kevin’s walk at kevinsivpole.com.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS July 23, 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 July 16, 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 July 9, 2018, and ending July 23, 2018.

III. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.

A. KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE: Community Service Tax Credit Program – Rosewood Services:
-Rosewood Services has requested a Letter of Support from Barton County to include with their application for the tax credit program. If approved, the tax credit program would be used to remodel the old E & E Glass (in Great Bend) and open the Rosewood Creations Center. This would allow for the introduction of new goods and a skills-learning center. Anna Hammond-Bodine, Director of Development, Rosewood Services, will provide details. This item was tabled on July 16, 2018, in order for the Commission to review additional information.

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

A. CITY OF CLAFLIN: Cooperative Effort to Repair Roads:
-The City of Claflin has requested assistance with sealing of certain roads. As an independent contractor, the County would receive no more than $6,750.00 for labor and equipment. Robert Suelter, Claflin City Attorney, developed the contractual agreement for the work. Darren Williams, County Works Director, will provide details.

B. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Operating Improvements:
-Information Technology staff has researched options to improve internet filters, email spam filters and email archiving. John Debes, Information Technology Director, suggests that the County change several operations as current agreements are aging out.

V. 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, 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 23, 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.
11:00 a.m. – Structural Analysis – Courthouse Update – WDM Architects
Noon – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Barb Esfeld, County Appraiser, is scheduled for July 26, 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, July 30, 2018.

VII. ADJOURN.

Barton County Election Officials are in desperate need for workers for the upcoming August 7th primary.

According to Barton County Election Officer Donna Zimmerman, they need several voting precinct election board workers after a number of workers who have been available in the past have had to cancel their participation this year.

If you are interested, visit bartoncounty.org, go to elections, then volunteers. There you will find a form to complete. Zimmerman says a volunteer doesn’t necessarily have to complete the form. They will also accept information over the phone by calling 620-793-1835.

Even though they are listed as volunteers, election board workers are paid. A supervising judge will earn $135 per day while all other board workers will receiver $115 per day. Election school attendance is $20.

Board workers must be at their assigned precincts by 6am Election day and work until the election is over and ready to return results to the Clerk’s Office.

A worker cannot leave for lunch. They must also attend election school prior to the election. The Clerk’s Office conducts a school on the Friday and Monday just prior to the election.

The Barton Community College Theatre Department will present two absurd one-act comedies, “The Proposal” and “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov, in Larned, St. John and Great Bend at 7:15 p.m. on July 24, 25 and 26 respectively. The Larned performance will be west of the Haas Building at Jordan Park and the St. John performance will be in the city square. The short tour will close at the Great Bend Downtown Bandshell in Jack Kilby Square. All performances are free, but donations are welcome.

“The Proposal” is about Ivan, an anxiety-ridden man, who comes to ask Stepanovitch for his daughter’s hand in marriage because he is 35 and ready to settle down, plus she is “not bad-looking.”

“Stepanovitch is a widower, and his last task in life is to unload his daughter onto someone else,” Dwight Young who plays Stepanovitch said. “He is thrilled to find out that is why Ivan is there.”

Kaleia, Stepanovitch’s daughter played by Barton sophomore Jessica Pfortmiller, is incredibly stubborn and strong headed. The combination of these characters creates an atmosphere riddled with comedic moments.

Pfortmiller described one of her favorite moment’s in the play when Ivan briefly leaves, and her father explains he came to propose.

“My line is ‘To propose to me? Why didn’t you tell me that before?’” she said. “I really channel my inner three-year-old there, and it is the whiniest line I have; normally my character is pretty down to earth, so it is really out of the norm and a lot of fun.”

Although this play was written in 1890, it is still relatable in 2018.

“It is interesting that this play written over 100 years ago can ring the same type of dynamics that you will see in relationships today,” Young said. “I think it is a learning moment in how people are the same and their challenges are the same.”

“The Bear” opens with Elena Popova mourning after her husband has died seven months prior and has decided to commit her life to mourning him. Soon Grigory Smirnov enters the scene to collect money Elena’s late husband owes him, which he needs today to pay his mortgage. After Elena informs Grigory she cannot pay him today, an already annoyed Grigory becomes filled with anger and vows to stay in her house until she pays him. Soon they begin to argue and yell at each other before Grigory realizes he may have found his true love.

Stacy Lewis, who plays Elena, heard about Barton holding auditions from a Facebook ad and decided to commit to the idea of returning to theatre.

“I was really involved in high school and college, so I thought it would be fun to try it again,” she said. “I actually came out here about a year ago to try out, and I didn’t make it in the building. If you see something you want to do you have to go for it; you only live once.”

During her time rehearsing for the show, Lewis has seen her passion for theatre brought back to life.

“I really enjoy being on stage and the environment is very friendly and welcoming,” she said. “I have learned to enjoy myself and not take it too seriously; I am doing this because I enjoy it so I should have fun.”

David Burdett is a Barton alumnus who plays Grigory in “The Bear.” He encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the performance.

“It is a comedic farce where anything goes,” he said. “I think that is what Anton wanted, a fun play that people could enjoy.”

Lewis seconded Burdett stating, “Come out and enjoy it! It’s fun; it’s loud; it’s exciting.”

Shelly Estes has been wearing the Activities Director hat for a few years at Cherry Village Benevolence and now has been fitted with a second title. Estes is the new Social Services Designee (SSD) at the short- and long-term-care residence at 1401 Cherry Lane in Great Bend.

As the SSD, Estes collaborates with every Cherry Village department to ensure each resident feels at home.

“This additional title means I am even more of an advocate for our residents and their families,” Estes said. “If they have any problem or question, I can find the answer. Sometimes I know the answer right away and other times I count on my colleagues.

“Residents are encouraged to let us know about their likes and dislikes, along with their physical and/or emotional needs,” she continued. “We want to know about their favorite foods and not-so-favorite foods. We also need to know if they like to be alone or with a group, or a mix of both.”

In some instances, a Cherry Village resident may need to seek support from other community resources.

For example, Estes noted, “we work with local licensed hospice-care providers here at Cherry Village. In other cases, residents live with us for just a little while to help with a short-term need. This is when they have questions about home-health and other services.”

Estes first learns about residents and families when they meet to fill out the administrative paperwork at admission.

“This is always a good time to learn about the resident’s history and a family’s expectations.

“But even when the paperwork is done, I want to be their go-to person for any concerns they have. Family members can call, email or stop by anytime.”

Estes is certified to fill both the SSD and Activities Director positions, which often overlap. But the bottom line for both is the same.

“I am an advocate for residents as we enhance their quality of life,” Estes commented. “On the activities side, we offer jigsaw puzzles, word-search puzzles, games, Bingo, exercise sessions and community outings. We also encourage local schools and other groups to entertain our residents with music, and arts and crafts.

“On the social services side, we focus on the residents’ emotional well-being. I am fortunate to work with so many caring and professional colleagues who genuinely care about our residents.”

Cherry Village also offers in-house physical, occupational and speech therapies. Estes started working at Cherry Village as a certified nurse’s aide 3-and-a-half years ago. Before she knew it, she was Activities Director.

“This type of career just comes naturally to me,” Estes said. “My grandparents raised me, which means I grew up around elderly people. As I child I went to the Senior Center and played Bingo.

“In addition, I was a caregiver. I took care of my grandma in my home for four years. I love being around older people and doing what I can to enrich their lives.”

RUSSELL COUNTY Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect arrested after a high-speed chase.

Just before 8p.m. Thursday, Russell County Dispatch received numerous calls regarding a grey vehicle acting suspiciously and attempting to steal fuel in the Fairport and Natoma areas, according to a social media report from the Russell County Sheriff.

Shortly after these calls came in, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper spotted the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed near Gorham. The vehicle refused to stop for the trooper and the chase entered Ellis County for a period of time. The chase returned to Russell County on Interstate 70 and continued east to the Wilson exit in Ellsworth County.

While in Ellsworth County, a female passenger jumped from the vehicle and was taken into custody by law enforcement officers. The chase continued north on Highway 232 and entered Russell County once again.

Two Russell County Sheriff’s officers deployed stop sticks near the Lake Wilson dam and struck three tires. The driver of the vehicle continued to flee on gravel roads and was eventually taken into custody south of Waldo.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jeffery Nakai Makekau of Hawaii. Makekau was transported to the Russell County jail for booking. He was arrested on suspicion of felony flee and elude, driving under the influence and reckless driving.