A long tradition with the Great Bend Police Department continues Tuesday, May 29 with the torch run to benefit Great Bend’s local team at the Special Olympics. The State Summer Games will be held in Maize this year at Maize South High School.

Many organizations participate in the torch run leading up to the Olympics which will take place the first weekend of June.

Great Bend Patrol Officer Jazmine Bell is in charge of the torch run here that takes the torch from Larned to Great Bend.

Jazmine Bell Audio

The event starts in Schnack-Lowery Park in Larned at 8 a.m. and will eventually make its way to Great Bend sometime after 11 a.m. with a number of law enforcement agencies taking shifts running with the torch. The officers will take the torch to True Valley on K-96 before members of the Barton County Storm take over the torch run. Bell says officers will alternate half mile shifts.

Jazmine Bell Audio

All the money will support the Barton County Storm team as they compete in the Special Olympics June 1-3.

The Special Olympics Kansas is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports competitions.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting
Tuesday, May 29, 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. Minutes of the May 21, 2018, Regular Meeting are not available.
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 May 14, 2018, and ending May 29, 2018.

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

IV. 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. FAMILY CRISIS CENTER: Update on Sexual Assault Awareness Activities:
-In April, 2018, the Commission adopted a Proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Under that Proclamation, all citizens were urged to become familiar with community resources and to be better prepared to assist survivors of sexual assault. The Family Crisis Center (FCC) provides such services under their victim advocacy and services program. Becky Davis, FCC Domestic and Sexual Violence Program Director, will provide a public update on sexual assault awareness activities.

C. RESOLUTION 2018-12: Barton County Courthouse Centennial:
-Construction of the Barton County Courthouse, a “Modern (Classical) Eclecticism” building, began in November, 1917, with the cornerstone laid on March 28, 1918. The Courthouse is approximately 125 by 101 feet in size, 57 feet high, built of reinforced concrete, brick, steel and stone, for a cost of (approximately) a quarter million dollars. The Commission is asked, upon centennial commemoration of the building, to join all citizens in celebrating the 100th year of use of the Barton County Courthouse. Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, will provide details.

D. HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Transfer of a Charger to the Health Department:
-Shelly Schneider, Health Director, requests that the Commission authorize the transfer of a 2008 Charger from the Sheriff’s Office fleet to the Health Department fleet. If authorized, the Health Department will pay $4,500.00 for the vehicle. Ms. Schneider will provide details.

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:
-Subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
9:30 a.m. or following the Close of the Agenda Meeting – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
10:00 a.m. – Program Update – Cottonwood Extension District
10:30 a.m. – Fire District No. 1 Building – Doug Hubbard, Fire Chief
11:00 a.m. – Loader Bids – Darren Williams, County Works Director
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Shelly Schneider and Quenla McGilber, Health Department, and Amy Boxberger, CKCC, are scheduled for May 31, 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 Monday, June 4, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.

VII. ADJOURN.

On Thursday, May 24  at about 3:55 p.m., the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the animal control officer from the Golden Belt Humane Society. He was requesting assistance with some animals that were locked in a motor home.

Sheriff’s officers responded to All Seasons Mobile Home Park on Northwest 30 Road and contacted the animal control officer. Deputies were advised the Humane Society had made several attempts to contact the owner of four or five dogs that were locked in a motor home at that location. Humane Society officials had been unsuccessful in their attempts. The owner of the animals was not being cooperative.

The ambient temperature at the time was about 85°F and a temperature reading was taken inside of the motor home and found to be approximately 130°F.

Officers did not know and were unable to determine when the last time the animals were fed or watered. The dogs were also living in an extreme state of filth.

Sheriff’s deputies forced entry into the vehicle and along with the animal control officer captured the dogs. The dogs were taken to the Golden Belt Humane Society for necessary treatment and
proper housing.

The owner of the dogs , identified as David L. Heater was located and arrested for animal cruelty and booked into the Barton County Jail. Hester posted a $2,500 bond and was released.

BOOKED: David S. Hunter of Hutchinson on Barton County District Court case for felony interference, bond set at $10,000 C/S. Kansas Department of Corrections warrant for parole violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Tyler Leech of Great Bend on Barton County Court case for DWS 2nd offense and failure to wear seat belt, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Tyler Leech of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court, no bond.

BOOKED: Jerome Moore of Wichita on BTDC warrant for probation violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Johnny Wallace of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,0000 C/S.

BOOKED: Caitlin Detter-Alexander of Ellinwood for Barton County District Court case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, failure to wear seat belt, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: David Hester of Great Bend on BTDC case for cruelty to animals, bond is set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Rodney Miller of Ellinwood for Barton County District Court case for possession with intent to manufacture, possession of paraphernalia, possession of paraphernalia with intent, expired/no registration, display plate cancelled, failure to change address, failure to wear seat belt, bond is $100,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Johnny Wallace of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for failure to appear after he posted a $1,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: David Hester of Great Bend on BCDC case for cruelty to animals after posting a $2,500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RICE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the report of a suspicious vehicle in Sterling.

Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle in Sterling Wednesday night, according to a social media report.

A parent told police that they got home just after 11pm. As their son was getting his stuff out of the car, and the parents went inside and told their son to lock the car.

Shortly after, the parent heard a horn twice and figured it was the child locking the car.

The parent then heard the horn one more time and his son came running in and stated there was a van honking and said, “Come here buddy.”

The parent went to the door as the van drove off. The van was described as a mid 80’s big van with a spare tire carrier. The van was driven by an older white male, who was balding and possibly wearing round glasses. 

USD 428 will once again participate in the Summer Food Service Program weekdays from June 4-29. All children ages 1-18 are welcome to attend any of five USD 428 elementary school locations for a free breakfast from 8-8:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Continuing into the month of July, from July 2-27 (excluding July 4), Park Elementary will be the site of free lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“Adults are welcome to come eat with us,” said Kristy Alvord, food services assistant director. Breakfast is $2 and lunch is $3.60.

“This is a great opportunity for our community,” Alvord said. “As parents, we are busy in the summer months. This is an easy, fast and free way to get our children fed.

“Since the summer program will be at all five elementary locations in the month of June, it’s a short walk for many to get a free breakfast and/or lunch,” she said. “For child-care providers this is a great way to get the kids out, teach them about school meals, give them nutrition education while eating at the schools, and for those soon-to-be kindergartners, it will give them an idea of what to expect when they start school.”

Alvord also provided information about traveling with children this summer.

“Text FOOD to 877877 to find summer feeding sites near you,” she said. “Traveling can be expensive, why not find a summer feeding site during your travels? You don’t have to live in
the town/city to get a free meal.”

For more information, call the USD 428 central kitchen, 620-793-1540.

BOOKED: Gina Wiig on Dickinson County District Court warrant for probation violation with a bond $250 cash only.

BOOKED: Lafe Kern of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia, bond is set at $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Timothy Chism of Great Bend to KDOC.

RELEASED: Victor Orozco of Great Bend for BTDC case for driving while suspended, received probation and was released to ICE.

RELEASED: Robert Isaacs of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court cases after receiving an order to release.

RELEASED: Gina Wiig of Great Bend posted a $250 cash bond on a Dickinson County District Court warrant for probation violation.

RELEASED: Christina D. Chapman on BCDC warrant for probation violation, posted $5,000 bond through Dyn-O-Mite.

RELEASED: Lafe Kern of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia after posting a surety bond of $1,000 through Dyn-O-Mite Bail Bonds.

written by: Rip Winkel – Horticulture agent in the Cottonwood District

There has been word that bagworms, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, are emerging from eggs, and the young caterpillars are already out-and-about feeding on plants. Eventually bagworms will be present throughout our region feeding on both broadleaf and evergreen trees and shrubs. So now is the time to take action against this insect pest.

Bagworms are primarily a pest of conifers but have expanded their host range to include a number of broadleaf plants, such as; rose, honeylocust, and flowering plum to name a few. Hand-picking small caterpillars (along with their accompanying bag) and placing them into a container of soapy water will kill them directly. This practice, if feasible, will quickly remove populations before they can cause substantial plant damage.

Not into hand-picking bag-worms? There are a number of insecticides that can be used to control bagworms, including those with the following active ingredients (trade name in parentheses): acephate (Orthene), Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Dipel), cyfluthrin (Tempo), lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar), trichlorfon (Dylox), indoxacarb (Provaunt), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn), and spinosad (Conserve). Most of these active ingredients are commercially available and sold under various trade names or as generic products. Several insecticides, however, may not be directly available to homeowners.

The key to managing bagworms with insecticides is to apply early and frequently enough to kill the highly susceptible young caterpillars that are feeding aggressively on plant foliage. Older caterpillars that develop later in the season are usually more difficult to kill with insecticides. Furthermore, females feed less as they prepare for reproduction, which reduces their susceptibility to spray applications and any residues.

The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki is active on young caterpillars but the active ingredient must be ingested to be effective. Therefore, thorough coverage of all plant parts and frequent applications are required. Spinosad is the active ingredient in a number of homeowner products, including: Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew, and Monterey Garden Insect Spray. The insecticide works by contact and ingestion (stomach poison); however, activity is greatest when ingested. Products containing spinosad can be used against older or larger bagworm caterpillars later on in the season. Acephate (Bonide Systemic Insect Control), cyfluthrin (Bayer Vegetable & Garden Insect Spray), gamma-cyhalothrin (Spectracide Triazicide), trichlorfon, chlorantraniliprole, and indoxacarb can be used against both the young and the older caterpillars.

Thorough spray coverage of all plant parts, including tree tops and surrounding shrubs, in multiple applications, is essential in keeping bagworm populations at bay. The reason multiple applications are recommended is that bagworm eggs do not hatch simultaneously but hatch over a period of time depending on temperature. Also, young bagworms can ‘blow in’ (called ‘ballooning’) from neighboring plants on silken threads. If left unchecked, bagworms can cause a lot of damage, ruining the aesthetic quality of plants. Moreover, bagworms can actually kill plants, especially small evergreens that may be newly transplanted, because evergreens do not usually produce more than one flush of growth per growing season.

Rip Winkel is the Horticulture agent in the Cottonwood District (Barton and Ellis Counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at rwinkel@ksu.edu or calling either 785-682-9430, or 620-793-1910.