Press release from the Barton County Young Professionals…

Great Bend, KS – You bring the picnic, and the Barton County Young Professionals (BCYP) will bring the popsicles to the next Pop-Up Park on Tuesday, July 24.  The event will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Tot Spot, located at 2300 Main Street in Great Bend on the north side of Brit Spaugh Park. Popsicles in the Park will be a fun evening at the playground with popsicles and picnics!  The event is free and no RSVP is required.

Pop-up parks are informal get-togethers for all BCYP members and families throughout the summer.  The Tot Spot is a BCYP project that provides a safe playground for toddlers and young children.  For more information, visit www.BartonYP.com for find @BartonYP on Facebook.

Barton County Young Professionals (BCYP) exists to provide leadership, networking & volunteer opportunities. BCYP is a free membership organization for anyone 21-40ish who lives or works in the Barton County area. Over 750 individuals currently participate in BCYP membership. To learn more about the benefits of membership or to see an event schedule, visit www.BartonYP.com or call the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development at 620-792-2401.

The Therapeutic Learning Classroom (TLC) was formed at USD 428 for students that display behavior that disrupts the learning environment in an unsafe manner. Students that have experienced trauma, have tough backgrounds, are acting out, or their social and behavior skills are disrupting a class can be sent to the TLC.

Kylee McDonald, Special Education Coordinator for Great Bend schools, says the main goal is to work with the students to get them back into the normal classroom setting with their peers.

Kylee McDonald Audio

The TLC helps students with academic, life, and transitional skills to help them navigate the world inside and outside the classroom. Prior to entering the TLC program, students earned an average of 2-3 credits per school year. Students in the program earn an average of 7.5 hours per year.

TLC allows the students to master social skills, alter their behavior, and learn to achieve academically.

USD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp says TLC is not designed as simply a detention for hard-to-teach students.

John Popp Audio

McDonald makes an effort to talk with school administrators, teachers, and assistants to find ways to connect and integrate the identified students.

McDonald anticipated 8 to 9 students at the secondary level that will be in the TLC program to begin the 2018-2019 school year and five grade school students.

BOOKED: Dalton Norton of Rush Center on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, bond is set at $1,027.50 cash only.

BOOKED: Raymond Chapman of Hoisington on BTDC case for escape from custody, obstruction, bond set at $2,500 C/S. BTDC warrant for serve sentence. To serve 12 months in the Barton County Detention Center.

BOOKED: Christopher Buckley of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S. BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, bond is set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Jerry Massingill of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear with no bond. Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court with bond set at $292.50 cash only. GBMC warrant for contempt of court with bond set at $447.50 cash only.

BOOKED: Eric Peters of Olmitz on Barton County District Court warrants, all for probation violation, with no bond.

BOOKED: Tanner Guyton of Great Bend on McPherson County District Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

RELEASED: Derrick Buess of Great Bend on BTDC case for time served.

RELEASED: Gage Dewald of Russell on BTDC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Dalton Norton of Rush Center on GBMC warrant for contempt of court after receiving an order of release from GBMC.

RELEASED: Tyler Bittel on GBMC case for contempt of court after receiving an order of release from GBMC.

BUSINESS NEWS

Since nursing aides play an invaluable role in caring for residents of Cherry Village Benevolence, they were recently recognized by their colleagues.

Cherry Village, 1401 Cherry Lane, is a short- and long-term-care residence that employs a total of 48 certified nurse’s aides (CNAs) and certified medication aides (CMAs). Each received gifts and the thanks of their co-workers during National Nursing Assistants Week, June 14-21.

“The aides are the backbone of many services we offer,” said Erin Lewis, Cherry Village director of marketing. “For example, they take vital signs and monitor skin integrity, and help with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living.

“At the same time, they create a pleasant atmosphere for residents by getting to know their likes and dislikes,” she added. “They develop a rapport with residents, which leads to caring relationships.”

Lewis explained that nurses and their aides want to know as much about residents as possible because they “deserve to have as much control over their daily lives as possible. And just as important, our aides help ensure residents are treated with kindness and respect in a safe and loving environment they can call home.”

In addition, CNAs and CMAs are often the first to notice when a resident is facing a physical or emotional problem.

“The minute that aides think something isn’t quite right, they report to our nursing staff and/or administrators,” Lewis said. “This is one of their most important responsibilities.”

CNAs often pursue their education to earn the additional title of CMA.

“Once they complete their medication classes, they know how to recognize side effects, the purpose of the medications and how to administer them,” Lewis noted.

“Some of these men and women also take on additional leadership roles here and around the community.”

The National Network of Career Nursing Assistants sponsors the special week each year.

In early June, the Great Bend school district was notified that a complaint was filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation in regards to the speech given by Great Bend High School Principal Tim Friess at the graduation ceremony.

The organization based in Madison, Wisconsin promotes the separation of church and state.

Friess referenced the importance of God in his speech on May 20, and the complaint states that public school officials should not promote religion at school-sponsored events.

USD 428 Board of Education member Don Williams addressed the situation at Monday’s meeting and stated it was in the best interest of the school district to have this pointed out to avoid future issues.

Don Williams Audio

Friess stated among other God references, “…if you have a spare tire called Faith and most importantly, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called success.”

USD 428 administration addressed the matter with Friess, and the principal acknowledged his mistake and said it would not happen again.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation stated the district’s actions were enough and closed the complaint.

On Monday, July 9 at about 9:47 a.m. Raymond K. Chapman, age 41 of Hoisington, was scheduled to make an appearance in front of the Hon. Verle Willey in Courtroom B at the Barton County Courthouse.

Chapman was summoned to be in court for a probation violation. All went well until Judge Willey sentenced Chapman to 12 months in the county jail. Chapman bolted from the courtroom.

Chapman was shot with a Taser but one of the leads failed to make contact. Chapman made it to the east door and fled from the courthouse. Officers gave chase.

Chapman was captured in the alley between Baker Street and Holland Street in the 1200 block.

Chapman was booked into jail for the 12 month probation violation sentence and faces new charges of escape custody.

In 2014, there was talk amongst the Hoisington City Council to implement a city sales tax in Hoisington to help fund a new pool. At the time, Hoisington was going through another major leak that was difficult to identify and kept the pool closed for half of the summer. The City Council went away from the extra tax and instead added a charge to utility bills.

City Manager Jonathan Mitchell says Hoisington residents fill out forms to gain access to the pool.

Jonathan Mitchell Audio

Any customer using Hoisington utilities has free access to the pool all summer, but a $2 charge each month is assigned to the utility bill. Residents that do not use the pool are still charged the $2 fee, but Mitchell says those residents can take advantage of the guest passes.

Jonathan Mitchell Audio

There are seasonal passes and one-day charges available for pool goers outside of the Hoisington city limits. The cost of admittance is $2 per person per visit, $35 for an individual season pass and $60 for a family season pass.

The pool is located at 718 East 7^th Street. Public swim is available from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., adult swim from 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., followed by swimming lessons and aerobics from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., and then public swim again from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Mitchell says the pool that opened in 1962 is running fine now, but anticipated the City Council to consider making improvements to the building that houses the showers, restrooms and changing area.