Scott Schwab serves as the Speaker pro tem of the Kansas House of Representatives. Representing the 49^th District, Schwab has been a State Representative for 15 years and has served on several committees. The Great Bend High School graduate feels there a very few ways left for him to serve Kansas in the House, that is why he is running for Secretary of State in the upcoming Republican primary.

Schwab felt with all the changes that occurred with Kris Kobach’s term as Secretary of State, that the county clerks need time to rest.

Scott Schwab Audio

Schwab was in Great Bend last week and participated in the community discussion on the “skills gap” survey project at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. Schwab was born in Detroit, but his family moved to Great Bend when he was young.

Scott Schwab Audio

Kobach served two terms as Secretary of State but decided to run for Governor in 2018. Schwab is among five other Republicans on the ballot for the August 7^th primary election for Secretary of State.

BUSINESS NEWS

Two upcoming events at Sunflower’s Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool will allow children and parents to participate in fun activities and take advantage of screenings for developmental milestones. There is no charge for either event.

The Fun in the Sun playgroup is designed for children birth to age 5 and their parents; at least one parent must attend. It is scheduled for 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 18 at 1312 Patton in Great Bend.

“We hope families will join us for some water fun in our kiddie pools,” said Shari Schneider, preschool director. “We will offer other activities too and provide a snack.

Parents and children can interact with one another and their peers, while getting acquainted with other families.

“It is also a great opportunity for the public to meet our teachers, discover what we have to offer and tour our facilities,” she added.

Fun in the Sun is a come-and-go event. Participants are asked to bring swimsuits, towels and sunscreen. In case of inclement weather, activities will be moved indoors. Registration is not required.

Aug. 1 event

In addition to a playgroup for children birth to age 5, free developmental screenings will be available on Wednesday, Aug. 1, for those ages birth through 2. The playgroup will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with activities, free play, music and a snack. Screenings will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Schneider strongly recommends that families make appointments for the free screenings, which take a total of about 30 minutes. Drop-ins are still welcome. The screenings will focus on speech, motor skills and social/emotional milestones, as well as hearing and vision. Children 6 months and older will be screened with Sunflower’s electronic Spot Vision equipment, which the Lions Club donated.

“We encourage families in central Kansas to take advantage of these tests,” Schneider said. “It is so important to identify a delay in development as soon as possible. Many delays can at least be alleviated and many can be overcome.

“The screening results will help families identify a child’s strengths and needs,” she added.

For more information or to schedule a screening, call 620-792-4087. Sunflower Diversified Services owns and operates the Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool. Its service area includes Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. The non-profit agency is in its 52nd year.

From tiny hairstreaks to large swallowtails, all sizes of butterflies will be counted during the Cheyenne Bottoms annual butterfly quest, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 28 at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, located near Great Bend.

All that’s required for the count, is a pair of binoculars and keen eyes. KWEC will supply field guides, transportation and binoculars. Participants will search fields and gardens in and around Cheyenne Bottoms by vehicle and foot, during this official North American Butterfly Association count.

Most surveying will be within short walking distances but there will be some uneven ground. This event is not suitable for children under the age of 12.

The NABA Count is in its 44th year and gathers information to track population trends. Organized like the Christmas Bird Count, much of the count is done from a vehicle, with maps and data sheets provided.

Please preregister by July 25 by calling KWEC at 1-877-243-9268 to reserve a spot or for more information.

Story by Micah Oelze-gobarton.com

Tickets for the Barton Foundation’s 40th Annual Big Benefit Auction, themed “Clownin’ Around”, are available July 16-Aug. 13. The auction will take place on Aug. 25. Tickets are $45 each or $360 per table of eight. No tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Great Bend Knights of Columbus with complimentary beer and food available until 8 p.m. The live auction will begin promptly at 8 p.m. This year’s auction is underwritten by Advanced Therapy & Sports Medicine, UMB Wealth Management, Nex-Tech and ILS.

The Big Benefit Auction is the most successful and longest-running fundraiser for the Barton Foundation. The money raised from the event supports academic scholarships, along with enhancements to programs and facilities to directly impact the learning experience of Barton students.

Coleen Cape, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, said she is excited about this year’s light-hearted theme.

“’Clownin’ Around’ promises to be an evening of fun, fellowship and good food all in the name of a noble cause – assisting others,” Cape said. “Each year the auction and other fund-raising efforts make it possible for over 300 students to receive some sort of assistance in making their dream of a college education a reality.”

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Barton Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or by sending an email to mccormickd@bartonccc.edu.

Major Event Sponsors:

The Carl Heilman Family
Clara Barton Hospital & Clinics
Great Bend Regional Hospital

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting ~ Monday, July 16, 2018, 9:00 a.m. 

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 2, 2018, and the July 9, 2018, Regular Meetings.
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. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk, will present a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.

B. 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.

C. TREASURER’S OFFICE: Office Improvement:
-In May, 2018, the Commission approved a $13,743.80 bid from Thomas Quality Homes to move two walls to expand the office space in the interior of the Treasurer’s Office, upgrade the electrical and install LED lighting. Since the original bid was approved, the removal of a half wall, revisions to the lighting and insulation and the replacement of damaged ceiling tiles were added to the bid, bringing the total to $14,463.62. Jim Jordan, County Treasurer, will ask that the Commission authorize payment of the additional charges.

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 16, 2018
9:30 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
9:45 a.m. – Financial Update – Matt Patzner, Financial Officer
10:00 a.m. – Business Update – Jim Jordan, County Treasurer
10:30 a.m. – Energy Conservation in County Buildings – David Villines, Johnson Controls
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Members of the Health Department are scheduled for July 19, 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, July 23, 2018.

VI. ADJOURN.

The Great Bend Recreation Commission is sponsoring its 24^th annual youth summer theatre production, “The Day Aliens Attacked Fairfield, the Town Where Nothing Ever Happens”.  Fairfield’s a place where nothing ever happens, at least not since Little Suzie Myers got that nasty papercut a decade ago.  And with the exception of a pair of vain newscasters, a few fringe sky watchers, and a kooky grandfather living in a galactically fantastic past, most townsfolk are okay with their humdrum ways.

Like it or not though, the winds of change are about to descend on Fairfield faster than delivery from the town’s famous Flying Saucer Pizza.  A couple of love-struck teens report an alien sighting, and Fairfield finds itself in a frenzy.  Luckily, the members of “The Society of Alien Watchers to Protect Earth” are selling tinfoil hats to help protect everyone.  Even the President comes to this sleepy burg, but not everyone in town agrees with his plan to attack the space-traveling Zordonians. It’ll be up to the brave little girl and her unwavering grandpa to stop a war of the worlds in this ridiculously silly comedy that’s out of this world.

The performance of “The Day Aliens Attacked Fairfield” by Stephen Frankenfield, will be held on Friday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the Great Bend High School Auditorium.  The production is open to the public and admission is free.  The doors to the Auditorium open at 6:30 p.m. for the public.

The cast of 23 children, ages 6 – 16, has been practicing for five weeks under the direction of Paul Martin and assistants Tammy Bell and Pat Doll.  Many of the children have performed in previous productions for the Recreation Commission.

This year’s cast of performers are:  Isaac Avila, Madalyn Bonine, Quintin Buzard, Kaitlyn Froetschner, Kamie Haddon, Daniel Hammeke, Nathan Hammeke, Quinton Heath, Lilly Jones, Kennedy Kern, Jeslyn Klepper, Vivian Klepper, MacKenzie LaViolette, Mylee Maddox, Remy Martin, Sydney Mattison, Kaylea McMullen, Alyvia Mingenback, Elle Anne Reed, Brooklyn Reynolds, Cayman Rowan, Penelope Rugan and Kiley Troyer.

For more information on this production, contact the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755 ext. 110.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has authorized emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for Barton County.

The emergency haying authorization for Barton County became effective July 16, 2018, and ends 30 calendar days from the authorization date, not to exceed August 15, 2018. The emergency grazing authorization for Barton County became effective July 16, 2018, and ends 76 calendar days from the authorization date, not to exceed September 30 2018.

Eligible producers who are interested in emergency haying or grazing of CRP must request approval before haying or grazing eligible acreage. It is also important for producers to obtain a modified conservation plan from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that includes haying and grazing requirements.

The eligible CRP acreage is limited to acres located within the approved county. Eligible producers who are interested in haying or grazing CRP under the emergency authorization and current CRP participants who choose to provide land for haying or grazing to an eligible livestock producer, must first request approval to hay or graze eligible acreage and obtain a modified conservation plan from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to include haying or grazing requirements.

Since Barton County is authorized for emergency haying and grazing, producers are reminded that the same CRP acreage cannot be both hayed and/or grazed at the same time. For example, if 50 percent of a field or contiguous field is hayed, the remaining unhayed 50 percent cannot be grazed; it must remain unhayed and ungrazed for wildlife. In addition, participants are limited to one hay cutting and are not permitted to sell any of the hay.  (This authorization does NOT include the CP25 practice.)

For more information and to request approval for emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres contact the Barton County FSA office at 620-792-5329.

BOOKED: Harold Hunt of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation, no bond. BTDC warrant for probation violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Chet Whetham of Norton on BTDC case for hold for court, no bond.

BOOKED: Mercedes Mater on CKCC serve sentence on Barton County District Court case.

BOOKED: Danyan Battaglear of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for PFA, bond set at $2,500.

BOOKED: Derek Devine of Great Bend on Newton Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

BOOKED: Trenton Schlotthauer of Great Bend on Ellinwood Municipal Court serve sentence.

RELEASED: Todd L. Leech for Barton County District Court case, back to KDOC.

RELEASED: Juan Martin Prieto on BCDC case for failure to appear and BCDC case for failure to appear to probation.

RELEASED: Christy Contreras on BCDC warrant for battery and assault after receiving a $1,000 OR bond still here on Municipal charges.

RELEASED: Gerald Martin on case by order of the District Court to unsupervised probation for 12 months.

RELEASED: Colby Hopkins on BCDC warrant for identity theft and theft of deception after being dismissed. Warrant for burglary and theft after being dismissed. Warrant for theft, possession of controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, burglary, identity theft after receiving a $10,000 OR from Judge Burgess.

RELEASED: Christy Contreras of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for battery and assault after receiving a $1,000 OR bond. GBMC warrants for failure to appear and contempt and GBPD case for obstruction after being released per Municipal Court.

RELEASED: Danyan Battaglear of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for PFA violation after posting $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

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

Probably the last thing the average gardener thinks of doing in the heat of the summer is to plant another round of vegetables…again. However, fall gardens will often produce higher quality, better tasting cool-season crops as the vegetables mature during cooler temperatures. Note the “cool-season crops”.

If your love of gardening is deep and you decide to take on the challenge of fall gardening, there are a few things to remember. For instance;

-it is important to plant seeds slightly deeper than you would in the spring so they stay cooler and the soil around the seeds stays moist longer.

-plant the seeds more thickly, and then be sure to thin later.

-if you have critters or varmints that like to enjoy the fruits of your efforts, you may need to protect your crops through the use of fencing.

The following “calendar” is a general guide of what can be planted, and in what time-frame to do so.

Mid-July: Plant potatoes if you can find or have saved back seed potatoes. Do not use freshly dug potatoes as seed, as they have a built-in dormancy that will prevent growth. Also note that grocery store potatoes often are treated so they will not sprout. At this time you can start your cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower plants from seed. Choose a protected place where the soil can be kept moist and rabbits will not bother them. This will not be where they will grow the entire season but these crops should be transplanted around the middle of August.

Late July: Seed (direct) beets, carrots, parsnips, endive and beans.

Late July to Early August: Seed (direct) spinach and long-season maturing lettuce. Leaf lettuce will be seeded later.

Second Week of August: Transplant (not seed) cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower to their final location.

Late August to Early September: Seed (direct) radishes, turnips and leaf lettuce. Use light amounts of fertilizer before planting. For example, apply 1/4 cup of a low-analysis fertilizer (6-7-7) per 10 feet of row. Side dress two weeks after transplanting or four weeks after seeding by applying 2 tablespoons of a 16-0-0 or 1 tablespoon of a 27-3-3, 30-3-4 fertilizer, or something similar per plant.

One last thing to remember; watering must occur more frequently because the vegetable seeds that you planted should not be allowed to dry out. Overhead watering often causes soil to crust, making it more difficult for young, tender plants to emerge. Prevent this by applying a light sprinkling of peat moss, vermiculite or compost directly over the row after seeding. Even better, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation right next to the row to allow water to slowly seep into the ground.