SCRecord January 2, 2014

Page 1

Geese gather around an opening in frozen Lake Scott

32 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 21 • Number 21

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

9 water use violations in GWMD No. 1

There were nine instances of irrigators in Groundwater Management District No. 1 exceeding their appropriated water rights during 2012, according to the Kansas Division of Water Resources. The violations involved eight different landowners who overpumped their allocated water rights by 274.065 acre feet. Seven of the violators had their water rights curtailed in 2013 by the amount they had

Exceed 2012 allocation by 274 acre feet overpumped in 2012, one had their rights cut by a greater amount and another had their water rights suspended during 2013. The violations came during the height of a three-year drought that has put a lot of pressure on Western Kansas farmers. “When someone overpumps

they aren’t doing so with the thinking that they won’t get caught,” says Lane Letourneau, water appropriations program manager for the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources (DWR). “Most are feeling a sense of desperation. If they don’t do this they fear losing their crop.” All water being pumped for

irrigation is metered and monitored by the DWR. According to DWR records, about 1,000 irrigators in Kansas, primarily from the southwest region, were issued noncompliance warnings for overpumping in 2012 - more than twice the violations during a typical year. On average, they overpumped 46.3 acre feet.

The violations within GWMD No. 1 reflected those numbers with five of the violations ranging between 28.03 acre feet to 54.4 acre feet. The 54.4 acre feet violation represents more than 17.7 million gallons. “We realize there are times when irrigation or municipal overpumping can be an honest mistake,” says Letourneau. “One day of overpumping can (See VIOLATIONS on page eight)

County to seek input on COAH proposal An extended treatment center for women who are dealing with drug and alcohol addiction that would be located in the former Scott County Hospital is getting serious consideration from county commissioners. But, before City on a Hill invests any more time in the project, commissioners and COAH directors want to hear from residents who are living in the area surrounding the former hospital. They want to know if there is support, or opposition, to the project and, for residents who are opposed, what their objections are. “It would be worthwhile for everyone to visit with the neighbors up front and get feedback,” suggested Commission Chairman Jim Minnix. “I imagine the big concerns will be with property values,” noted Commissioner Gary Skibbe. “But a vacant building does nothing to help property values. And a vacant building attracts vandalism.” Minnix said he heard from one neighboring property owner who had no objection to a treatment facility. Commissioner Jerry Buxton heard from another who was opposed. COAH, which operates a 90-day treatment facility near Marienthal, would like to expand its operations into Scott City, using the former hospital as a reintegration center where women can continue receiving support and treatment for an additional 3-6 months. It would also be possible for the children of these women to live on location with them. Tentative plans are for the reintegration facility to offer health care and daycare services. “We will screen people before they come here,” says Chris Lund who, with his wife, Tammy, are directors of COAH. “We want to have people who are best suited for this facility and have the greatest chance of success.” (See COAH on page 32)

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com

Anthony Barnhart with some of the freehand art and graphic design work he has created. (Record Photo)

Where words fail, art and music allow Barnhart to express himself

Most youngsters can remember having “quiet time” when they were challenged not to say anything for a short while. Perhaps they remember games when they would see who could be quiet the longest among their siblings or friends. And just like the container in which pressure continues to build - the youngster feels they’ll explode if they don’t say something . . . and soon. It’s no game for Anthony Barnhart. Anthony has no problem speaking when around his family that includes five brothers and sisters. But his world becomes silent when he’s with other rela-

Looking back at the top events in Scott County during 2013 Page 9

tives or with students at Scott Community High School. He’s been diagnosed with selective mutism. No one has been able to identify the exact cause. Anthony has no idea why he can only talk to a handful of family members and not others. “What we do know is that it’s brought on by anxiety,” says his mother, Gina Farr. “People will confuse it with autism, but it’s not the same.” Anthony has had SM since a very early age, though his parents didn’t recognize it initially. His ability to talk with family

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-5 Calendar • Page 7 Opinion poll • Page 7 LEC report • Page 10 Health • Pages 11-12

Deaths • Page 15 Sports • Pages 17-24 Farm section • Pages 26-27 Classified ads • Pages 29-31

members, but to be silent around others was simply seen as a phase that he would eventually outgrow. When he began attending kindergarten in Las Vegas, Nev., teachers attributed Anthony’s inability to speak as “shyness.” Gina wasn’t satisfied with that explanation but she didn’t know where to turn. That changed when she heard a University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) researcher talking on television about selective mutism and that they were looking for people to participate in a university project. (See WORDS on page two)

SCHS threepeat was top sports event in 2013 Page 17


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