Tickets for the 18th annual Sunflower Diversified Services pancake dinner are now available.

The event is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4100 Broadway. On the same day, Sunflower will host the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 9 a.m. at the CHS facility, 1521 K-96.

“The Chris Cakes dinner and entertainment are popular attractions each year,” said Connie Oetken, Sunflower director of development. “It is always gratifying to see the community come out in full force to support our clients.”

Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat pancake-and-sausage dinner are $5 each. They are available in advance or at the door for dine-in or carry-out.

Scott Donovan of Eagle Radio will host a live remote and FX Unlimited, DJ, will entertain with background music.

“Brad and Sarah Shirer have graciously agreed to be the raffle-ticket sponsors,” Oetken noted. “We cannot thank them enough for their willingness to support people with disabilities and delays.”

The Sept. 20 events signify the official launch of the non-profit agency’s annual Sunrise Campaign. All proceeds from these and any other Sunflower fundraiser are used to directly support clients in the five-county service area.

“Central Kansans have a long legacy of supporting their neighbors who need a helping hand,” Oetken said. “We trust that support will continue. Private donations are critical because they help fill some of the financial gaps for adaptive equipment, medical and dental services, and more.”

For more information or to purchase dinner and/or raffle tickets, call 620-792-1325.

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

Tomatoes often have problems with cracking (sometimes called “growth cracks”), which are caused by pressure inside the fruit that is more than the skin can handle. Cracks are usually on the upper part of the fruit and can be concentric circles around the stem, or radiate out from the stem.

We don’t know everything about tomato-cracking yet, but here is what we do know. Tomato plants can crack when they absorb too much water too fast. They tend to have a root system that is very dense and fibrous and is quite efficient in picking up water. Having said that, there are various times when the size of the root system may be unbalanced with the amount of vegetative growth on top.

Early in the season tomato roots may be somewhat undeveloped in relation to the plant size that is above ground resulting in blossom-end rot. And, as was discussed in my article three weeks ago, blossom-end rot is a dark-round, ugly formation located on the bottom of the developing fruit. This usually appears when the weather is hot and dry, and the plant cannot absorb sufficient amounts of calcium. Later on, however, those same roots may be so efficient at absorbing water that they can actually provide too much water, especially when there is ample rainfall or heavy irrigation after a dry spell.

A tomato’s interior grows quickly as it absorbs water from this abundant source, expanding too fast. The tomato skin cannot stretch to accommodate the extra fluid, causing internal pressure. Hence, cracking of the skin alleviates this pressure.

How can you prevent your tomatoes from cracking? One way is to maintain an even and consistent watering schedule throughout the growing season. Tomato plants need 1-3” water a week (including rain.) During dry spells, water tomatoes deeply so that subsequent rain won’t shock skins and lead to unnecessary cracking – use a drip hose or other irrigation system. Mulching will also help because it moderates moisture levels in the soil. However, you can do everything right and still have problems with cracking in some years.

Still one more way to prevent cracking is to plant “crack-resistant” tomato varieties that have a more elastic skin (the more pliable the skin the more resistance to cracking). The old variety Jet Star has been the most crack resistant of any we have tested including the newer types. Unfortunately, Jet Star is an indeterminate variety that puts out rampant growth.

Newer varieties with more controlled growth are often more attractive to gardeners. Mountain Spring, Mountain Pride, Mountain Fresh, Floralina and Sun Leaper are smaller-vined types that have shown good resistance to cracking.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Latest on arrests of three carnival workers in the deaths of a Kansas couple at a county fair. (all times local):

4 p.m.

A probable cause affidavit says a carnival worker admitted to killing a Kansas couple at a county fair.

The suspect, Michael Fowler, told investigators that he shot Sonny and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita at the Barton County fair in Great Bend.

Investigators believe they were killed Friday. Their bodies were found Monday in a forest near Van Buren, Arkansas. The three suspects were arrested Tuesday in Van Buren

According to the affidavit released Thursday, Fowler told Van Buren police that Rusty Frazier and Kimberly Younger, also known as Myrna Khan, were with him when the couple was killed.

No charges have been filed in the Carpenters’ deaths. The affidavit does not discuss a motive for the killings.

_____

 

CRAWFORD COUNTY, AR — Authorities have arrested three carnival workers in the deaths of two vendors who disappeared from the Barton County Fair and were found in a shallow grave in an Arkansas forest.

Police Cpl. Jonathan Wear says the three Kimberly Frazier (Aka Myrna Khan) , Rusty Frazier and Michael Fowler are jailed without bond in Van Buren, Arkansas, on suspicion of abuse of a corpse, felony theft and tampering with physical evidence in the deaths of Sonny and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita, Kansas.

No charges have been filed. The bodies were found Wednesday in the Ozark National Forest.

Wear says authorities believe the couple was killed Friday after meeting the carnival workers at the fair in Great Bend.

He says the suspects on Saturday drove the bodies 320 miles to Arkansas in the couple’s recreational vehicle.

-The Associate Press contributed to this report

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GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say the bodies of a couple who recently disappeared from a Kansas fairground have been found in a shallow grave in northwest Arkansas.

Van Buren, Arkansas, police spokesman Jonathan Ware says the bodies were found early Wednesday near Natural Dam in Crawford County.

Police identified the victims as Alfred “Sonny” and Pauline Carpenter

Van Buren police took three people identified as Kimberly Frazier (AkaMyrna Khan) , Rusty Frazier and Michael Fowler. into custody after the bodies were found.

Barton County Attorney Amy Mellow said the victims disappeared from the county fairgrounds west of Great Bend in the last few days.

They were believed to be vendors at the fair.

At the July 2^nd Great Bend City Council meeting, Sanitarian Austin LaViolette mentioned an issue with property owners maintaining and mowing their easements. The alleyways, often in backyards behind fences, are still the owner’s responsibility to mow.

LaViolette displayed a picture at this past Monday’s meeting showing a massive amount of overgrown vegetation. LaViolette says sometimes discovering the violations is difficult if the issue is in the backyard.

Austin LaViolette Audio

The property that was shown was at 3124 Meadowlark. The front yard was maintained, but the backyard and easement were violating city code with vegetation over 12 inches.

There are three days of the Ellinwood After Harvest Festival including a jam-packed Saturday. The 45^th annual event includes entertainment for everyone and plenty of musical talent.

Nancy Baird, who hosts the “Focus on Ellinwood” show on 1590 KVGB and 97.7 FM, tells us the dance and musical entertainment Saturday will be with Second Nature.

Nancy Baird Audio

The carnival is lined up for all three nights from 7-11 p.m., with wristband night on Thursday and Friday. The beer garden will be operating on all three days. The After Harvest Festival Kids Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with the main parade starting at 10 a.m.

A complete schedule of events can be seen and downloaded at ellinwoodchamber.com.

The Great Bend League of Women Voters will once again be hosting a Candidate Forum on Tuesday, July 24th at 7 p.m. in the Great Bend High School Auditorium. The forum will include candidates for Great Bend City Council, Barton County Commission and the 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Becky Dudrey Audio

That’s LWV local spokesperson Becky Dudrey who says the questions for the candidates will be a mix of questions that have been submitted by the public and those that have been crafted by league members.

Becky Dudrey Audio

Dudrey says the event is not a town hall meeting so there will be no vocal audience participation. However, candidates will be available both before and after the forum and during intermission to visit with constituents. Candidates who are running unopposed will be introduced but will not speak from the podium.

Past candidate forums have taken place at the Crest Theater and Dudrey wants everyone to know about the change of venue.

If you can’t attend Tuesday’s forum, you will be able to listen to the entire event starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday the 25th on 1590 KVGB and 97.7 FM.

When Eagle Radio last spoke with Ken Selzer near the end of May, he outlined the issues to improve Kansas. As the Republican candidate for Kansas Governor visited Great Bend again Thursday morning, he said the issues have not changed much. Kansas needs to find ways to grow their economy.

Selzer and his Lieutenant Governor hopeful Jen Sanderson attended the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee Hour at Housing Opportunities, Inc.

Ken Selzer Audio

Housing Opportunities provides quality and affordable housing to elders and families with income-based guidelines.

Sanderson and her husband are small business owners from Goodland. The past Chairwoman of the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees says Kansas needs to work on retaining their born talent.

Jen Sanderson Audio

Selzer, a CPA and Kansas Insurance Commissioner, feels Kansas should spread the best practices in communities like Great Bend and other cities across the state. The Republican is leaning heavily on his business background as he campaigns before the August 7^th primary.

Selzer is included in a large list of Republican candidates for the 2018 election that includes: current Governor Jeff Colyer, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, and former Senator Jim Barnett.

BOOKED: Scott Keeler of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for driving under the influence and fail to use headlights with bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Eric Ehster on BTDC case for burglary, bond is set in the amount of $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Jacob Hoch of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for aggravated domestic battery with a bond set at $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Marcus Murphy of Colorado on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation, no bond.

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

RELEASED: Scott Keeler of Great Bend on BCDC case for driving under the influence and fail to use headlights after posting $1,000 surety bond through A-1 Bail Bonds.

RELEASED: Douglas Thomas of Mansfield, LA to DeSoto Parrish Sheriff’s Office.

RELEASED: Joshua D. Bitter on GBMC case with a 48-hour OR bond.

RELEASED: Jason Ward of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for failure to appear after posting a $250 cash bond through Great Bend PD.

BUSINESS NEWS

Incredible Years Preschool will welcome families to a preview of the upcoming school year at an open house that is set for 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at 1312 Patton.

“We really encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity to visit Incredible Years,” Director Shari Schneider said, noting enrollment is still open but space is limited. “Anyone interested in learning about our curriculum and activities is welcome.”

The first day of school is Aug. 16. Sunflower Diversified Services, a non-profit agency, owns and operates Incredible Years. Tuition is based on a sliding-fee scale, making preschool accessible to more families.

“Oftentimes, families must choose to send their children to preschool for fewer days to make it affordable,” Schneider commented. “However, at Incredible Years, children in each age group attend the same number of days, allowing the same opportunities to learn.”

Hearing and vision screenings also are offered, along with a healthy breakfast and snack.

“In addition, with our teacher-to-child ratio, we provide more small- group activities and one-on-one support,” the director noted. “We are planning even more experiments and hands-on activities this year.

“Our staff also collaborates with community partners such as Sunflower’s birth-to-3 early intervention team and Helping Hands Preschool to provide screenings and evaluations.”

Zoo Phonics is part of the preschool’s program, which promotes understanding and memory in all areas of learning. It is used in reading, spelling and writing, and the information is presented in a playful and useful manner.

Incredible Years focuses on the Kansas Early Learning Standards and a curriculum that includes: free play; social/emotional development; language, literature and communication; arts and sciences; and physical development.

Schneider noted the preschool has highly trained teachers who are working many hours this summer preparing for the fall semester.

“Each teacher has incredible knowledge about early childhood development and works closely with families to ensure every child meets developmental milestones,” Schneider said. “If a concern arises, our teachers help families find the services their children may need through our community partners.”