The Scott County Record

Members of the SCHS singing group ‘Encore’ perform the National Anthem prior to Tuesday’s basketball game

32 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 22 • Number 28

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

Ag land is in state valuation crosshairs A change in how agricultural land is assessed and taxed could mean a huge shift in the property tax burden across Kansas.

The Kansas Senate is considering a proposal (SB 178) that would do away with the use-value method of determining the value of farmland. It has the potential to generate significantly more tax revenue, based on preliminary calculations.

According to some early numbers coming out of the Property Valuation Division (PVD), ag land values could

State tax revenue would jump about $173M increase an average of 473 percent. Broken down by class, the increase would amount to 672% for grassland values, 593% for irrigated land and 408% for dryland acreage.

It’s estimated that the change in valuations would generate an additional $172.9 million annually in revenue for the state’s general fund through the 20 mill statewide levy for public educa-

tion and another 1.5 mills for state buildings.

The increase in land valuations is an average and will vary from farm to farm and from county to county, emphasizes Rep. Don Hineman (RDighton), an opponent of the proposal.

“This is one more means by which some state legislators are looking at trying to fix our

revenue problem,” says Hineman. “Unfortunately, it’s trying to solve the problem by putting the load on one sector of the economy. That doesn’t feel very equitable.”

The proposal, which surfaced late last week, has also met with objection from farm organizations in Kansas, including the Kansas Farm Bureau.

“SB 178 is a tax increase,

it’s not equitable and would be detrimental to Kansas agriculture and small businesses,” said KFB President Rich Felts.

The Kansas Farmers Union echoed concerns about the potential impact of the tax change on Kansas farmers, ranchers and landowners.

“Rural Kansas has become a minority at the statehouse and Senate Bill 178 is a blatant attempt to exploit that fact. Kansas farmers and ranchers have paid their property taxes over (See AG LAND on page eight)

SRC settles on plan for $2.2M wellness center

SCHS pep band

A wellness center that has been in the discussion and planning stages for more than 1-1/2 years will be going to Scott County voters for their approval in the April 7 general election.

Voters will decide whether to increase the tax mill levy for the Scott Recreation Commission by two mills. One mill will be designated for general operations and the other mill will be used to retire the bond issue for construction of the center.

Plans call for the 350x80 ft. metal building to be located at the Sports Complex, at the south end of the soccer fields. It will include: •Two full-sized gymnasiums with some bleacher seating.

•An exercise room with equipment.

•Office space for the SRC staff and board.

•Two rooms for activities.

•An indoor walking track.

•Two locker rooms (no showers).

•Storage on the second level for SRC equipment.

(See CENTER on page two)

Scott Community High School trombone player Chandler Janssen and the rest of the pep band added to the excitement in the gymnasium on Tuesday evening when Scott City and Holcomb, two of the state’s No. 1 ranked basketball teams, squared off in a Great West Activities Conference showdown. SCHS defeated Holcomb, 7564, to end the Longhorns’ undefeated season. More about the game on page 17. (Record Photo)

returned to their cells, but they admitted to what happened since we had them on film.”

The prisoner who was able to work the door latch open showed officers how it was done. A metal plate has since been mounted over the latch to prevent the incident from happening again.

At the request of the commission, Faurot says she has begun researching procedures for the handling of prisoners that are being used by other jails.

She has been in contact with a consulting firm that can provide a basic procedure manual and provide officers with daily training points. The manual would cost $1,485 for law enforcement

Scott County school superintendent Jamie Rumford has a simple message for state lawmakers who claim that cuts to school district budgets really aren’t a “cut.”

“They’re wrong,” Rumford said during a presentation at Monday’s board of education meeting.

He says that if the state decides to cut local option budget (LOB) aid to the district by $272,000 it will be reneging on a promise.

“We were told by the state to expect this money and we cut our mill levy because of that promise,” says Rumford.

The 30 percent LOB was scheduled to generate $2,082,124 in funding for the 2014-15 school year. Because of the promise of LOB aid, the district reduced its taxing authority by $272,000 and passed that savings along to taxpayers in the form of a lower mill levy.

“Now there are some in Topeka who claim that they aren’t actually cutting our funding but it’s a reduction in an increase,” says Rumford. “That’s not right.

(See SECURITY on page eight)

(See PROMISE on page two)

LEC security again put to the test; commission wants policy review Security measures and procedures for handling prisoners in the Scott County Law Enforcement Center are again getting a closer examination following a recent incident in which prisoners were able to escape from the holding cells area.

No prisoners escaped from the LEC and the situation was quickly resolved, but it prompted a call by county commissioners to know what corrective action was being taken and whether current jail procedures are adequate.

“No one has escaped and nobody has been injured. We want to make sure it stays that way,” said Commission Chairman Jim Minnix during a meeting on Monday that included Sheriff Glenn Anderson and County Attorney Becky

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

SC student continues fundraiser in her cousin’s memory Page 9

Faurot. “We owe it to the public and to the counties we are keeping prisoners for to make sure that we have a safe and secure situation.

Anderson said the latest incident resulted from a “design flaw” in a door that separated the prisoner holding cells from a main hallway. Prisoners were able to gain access to the latch.

According to Anderson, one prisoner manipulated the lock until he could open the door. That made it possible for another prisoner to leave the holding area while the prisoner who manipulated the lock returned to his cell.

“They were wandering in the hallway. We were able to see them on the monitor,” Anderson says. “When an officer went back into that area they

State’s broken promise leaves funding gap

406 Main, St. Scott City • 620-872-2090 www.scottcountyrecord.com Opinion • Pages 4-6 Calendar • Page 7 Youth/education • Page 9 LEC report • Page 10 Health care • Pages 12-13 Deaths • Page 14

Church services • Page 15 Sports • Pages 17-24 Lawn/Garden • Page 25 Farm section • Pages 26-27 Classified ads • Pages 29-31 FFA Week • Page 32

Beavers defeat ‘Horns to share a spot in GWAC title chase Page 17

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

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8 Scott Community Wellness Center

1) Workout rooms with elyptical bikes, treadmills, etc. 2) Multi-purpose rooms available to the public. 3) Board meeting room. 4) Office space for SRC staff. 5) Locker rooms (no showers) and public restrooms. 6) Reception area. 7) Concession stand area. 8) Indoor walking track.

Center

(continued from page one)

“A lot of thought has been put into the size of building that’s needed and where it should be located,” says SRC board member Jon Berning.

A Wellness Committee considered several locations, including property around Scott City Middle School, the former Scott County Hospital block and the Baptist Church following construction of the congregation’s new church.

Committee members also toured centers in Ottawa, Pratt and Wichita.

“This made the most sense,” Berning said.

“We were able to design a building that meets our needs which has plenty of parking and room to expand.”

County Support Scott County Commissioners have committed $500,000 toward the project in addition to pay-

The question, as it appears on the ballot, will ask voters whether to grant the Scott Recreation Commission the authority to levy “up to four mills” for its general operations and debt service.

However, the SRC is already operating on a two mill levy. If approved, the SRC would have authority to increase its levy by TWO mills, NOT FOUR.

ing for utilities (gas and electricity).

“It’s a use it or lose it opportunity,” says SRC Director Lauren Robinson. “If the bond issue doesn’t pass, the county’s money will go towards something else.”

The SRC has also requested assistance from the Scott City Council, but have not received a commitment.

If approved by voters, construction would begin in June or July. Tentative plans are for the building to be open in January 2016.

“What people need to realize is that when it comes to bringing families to Scott City, we’re

Promise “We cut our taxing authority by $272,000. If the state doesn’t deliver on its promise that’s a budget cut. If we’d have had any idea this would happen we would have levied the maximum through our LOB and not even worried about getting LOB aid from the state,” he says.

competing with Ulysses, Colby, Holcomb and even Garden City,” Berning points out. “It’s facilities such as this which will make people want to live here.”

Robinson says it will also open the doors to additional funding that would benefit people of all ages.

“There are a lot of grants available for community health and wellness,” Robinson explains.

“Since we don’t have the facilities we can’t make application for them.

These grants would allow us to offer more programs and continue to expand what we’re already doing.”

Everyone Benefits The center would offer benefits to people of all ages, says Robinson.

Senior citizens would have access to an indoor walking track during the winter months and inclement weather and there would be a workout facility that could be used by everyone.

Equipment in the large workout room would be donated by Sidney Janzen, owner of Ladies Fit and Trim.

“Sidney has been a big supporter of seeing this center built,” says Robinson. “If it’s approved, we won’t be in competition with her since she would be closing her business.”

As for the Scott County Fitness Center, Robinson says this new facility will not have a swimming pool and there are no plans at this time to have free

weights.

The two gyms would be an asset not just for the general community, but for the school district. Robinson says basketball practice schedules are limited at the middle school in order to avoid students getting home late in the evening. If other activities are scheduled for the SCMS gym, teams sometimes have to practice in the early morning.

In addition, the wellness center - and its facilities - would be available to the public at no cost during regular hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Individuals who want access to the facility outside of those hours could purchase a card key for $30 per month.

Deadline for voter registration is March 17.

Advance voting begins on March 18.

Rumford told the board it has the option of spending down cash balances or freeze spending.

“To freeze our spending really isn’t practical,” he said. “Some expenses can’t be avoided.”

Rumford says some decisions will have to be made soon by the board

in response to anticipated state cuts. He’s hopeful that, as a worst case scenario, the district can get by with existing reserves.

“It will probably mean that we can’t rebuild our reserves as quickly as we had hoped, but maybe we can avoid losing ground,” he said.

(continued from page one)

Another plan being floated around in the legislature would reduce general state aid by 1.5 percent - or $60,926 for the Scott County district.

“Originally, we were told that the state would do one or the other, but not both,” says Rumford.

“Now we’re hearing

there’s a chance they could do both.”

The only good budget news for the district has been the state enrollment audit which increased the number of students in the finance formula. The district will receive $53,543 as a result of increase.

That still falls short of anticipated funding cuts.

What’s for Lunch in Scott City?

Sun. - Sat., Feb. 22-28

Majestic Theatre 420 Main • 872-3840

Hours

Lunch • Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Evenings • Thurs., Fri., Sat. 5:30 -10:00 p.m.

Tues. • Open faced prime rib sandwich with french fries.

Wed. • French dip sandwich with chips.

Thurs. • Chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Fri. • Fish and chips.

What’s for Supper?

The Broiler

102 Main St. • 872-5055

1211 Main • 872-3215

5Buck Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Chili Cheese Dog • Bacon Cheeseburger • 3 Piece Chicken Strips

Includes Fries, 21 oz. Drink and Small Sundae

1304 S. Main • 872-5301

6

$

49

Buffet

Mon. - Sat. • 5:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sun. • 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Mon. • Chicken fry Tues. • Hamburger steak with mushrooms and onions Wed. • Fried chicken Thurs. • Mountain oysters Fri. • Seafood specials

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Sat. • Prime rib

Breakfast specials every night.

The Scott County Record

Community Living

Page 3 - Thursday, February 19, 2015

Making a house more appealing to buyers When a house is for sale, the goal is to make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

The most cost-efficient way to spruce up the home is to clean it thoroughly.

Many potential buyers may not see past dirt and clutter.

If the house is crowded with the owner’s “stuff,” they will assume the house is too small for their own possessions. Too much clutter also poses a safety - and buying - hazard!

A person who trips over items left on the stairs is unlikely to have a good feeling about the house. In addition, a clean, clutterfree environment is more attractive than an untidy one.

Pet and garbage odors are also a large turn off.

Trout wins $1,000 drawing

Zavier Trout, Scott City, was the winner of the $1,000 cash prize given away during the 19th annual Scott City Lions Club chili cookoff.

Team winners in the cookoff were: 1st: Thing 2 (courthouse crew), $100 2nd: Scott Co-op, $50 3rd: C-More-Butts, $25 The Scott County Hospital was the “People’s Choice” award winner in addition to having the first place booth There were 12 teams in this year’s event.

Alumni meeting is Monday

The SCHS All-School Reunion Alumni Association will meet Mon., Feb. 23, 3:00-7:00 p.m., in the exhibit building at the Scott County Fairgrounds.

This will be a mailing work day.

Knights pancake feed is Sat.

The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a pancake and sausage dinner at St. Joseph Parish Center in Scott City on Sat., Feb. 21, 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Cost of the meal is a free-will donation. All proceeds will go to Birthright.

Bingo at the VIP Center

The Scott County VIP Center will host bingo on Fri., Feb. 27, following the noon meal at 1:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend.

To begin the process of making your home more attractive, begin by purging the house, including the basement, attic and garage, of items that are no longer needed. Things that are in good condition can be sold or donated to a charity. The remainder can be thrown in the trash.

Rooms will appear more spacious, closets will look bigger and shelves will look roomier.

If you need to keep some of the furniture, make storage arrangements to

Give major attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Check the labels on cleaning products to make sure they are appropriate for the surfaces to be cleaned.

Abrasive cleansers provide extra cleaning power for hard-to-remove soils like food particles and grease residue in sinks.

However, they may be too harsh for surfaces that are easily scratched, such as laminate or solid surface countertops.

In general, liquid and

gel cleansers are less abrasive than powders.

Spray cleaners are easy to use for small areas, such as countertops, while powders or liquids mixed in a pail of water are more efficient for larger areas, such as walls and floors.

Floors can become cloudy from cleaning solution residue, making them look dirty when they’re actually clean. To prevent this, use a no-rinse product or rinse the floor well after each cleaning.

(See BUYERS on page seven)

Time to begin sewing for the fair

The Scott County Fair may seem a long way into the future, but it will arrive too quickly for those who would like to enter sewing projects.

This year’s contest in the Fabric, Fiber and Fancywork contest will be “Quilt on a Stick!” The theme is “Something you see at the fair.”

Anyone may enter.

Entrants may enter no more than three items.

There are junior (15 and under) and senior (16 years and older) divisions.

Contestants will need to create an 8x9 inch finished quilt block that will be displayed on a paint stick. Paint sticks will be supplied.

Either incorporate or attach a coordinating sleeve (closed on three sides). It needs to be large enough to accommodate a paint stick.

Entries will be acceptThere are three sections ed on July 22. for each class number in quilts: B (Beginner), Quilt Changes I (Intermediate) and A “There have been some (Advanced). There will be changes in the quilts a winner for each section. section that we would Quilters may be beginlike to make exhibitors ners in some sections but aware of,” says chairman advanced in others.

Mildred Dearden.

An additional class is A sleeve for hanging “shown, not judged.” must be attached to the “This is for anyone back of the quilt. It may be pinned or sewn on. The who would like to dissleeve needs to be five play their work, but not inches wide. be judged,” says Dearden.

Sorority assists with Cramer benefit

Members of the Alpha Omega sorority met February 12 at the home of Kate Macy.

President Diana Burr called the meeting to order with the recitation of the opening ritual.

Chaplain Wanda Barton presented a Moment of Meditation with a poem called “Jesus is My Valentine.” She also read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Sixteen members

Friendship ‘Meals to Go’ • only $3.00/meal • Call 872-3501

Happy Birthday Thursday, February 26

We Love You!

remove larger items from the home.

When you begin to clean, focus on the rooms that potential buyers are most interested in - living room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom.

Look at each room as a buyer might and see what catches the eye first. Make that the starting point for the cleaning process.

Then, follow the topto-bottom, left-to-right rule for cleaning each room. That way, no surface is overlooked.

Cards may be sent to: Boots Haxton PO Box 377 Scott City, Ks 67871

answered roll call to, “Who is Your Favorite U.S. President?”

Communications included “thank you” notes from Park Lane Nursing Home, Lana Cramer and Heartsprings.

Committee members then discussed the upcoming Pheasants Forever Banquet which will be February 28 and a benefit for Rich and Lana Cramer on March 1.

Sorority and other community members will be selling raffle tickets for the Cramer benefit.

The Heartsprings Committee asked everyone to bring items to be sent for Easter. Kristi Schmitt presented Project Enthusiam with a “Family Advent Calendar.”

The sorority will be serving the meal for the Red Cross blood drive on March 4.

The members then conducted their annual “Day of Love.” Money was donated to local needs along with state and international organizations.

Brenda Birney gave the educational program on heart disease in women.

She discussed the symptoms and ways to help prevent this from happening Next meeting will be March 12.

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, February 19, 2015

editorially speaking

Not so golden:

KFB was silent when a strong voice was needed

Two years ago, when Gov. Sam Brownback and conservative lawmakers gutted the state’s income tax system and removed a significant part of our revenue stream, a number of people sounded the warning alarms.

Economists, other than Arthur Laffer, who have actual experience in managing government budgets said the plan would be a disaster, as did many political writers and newspaper columnists.

Unfortunately, a number of voices were silent during this period - either out of fear of retribution by the Brownback Administration or with the belief that they would be unaffected by the tax plan’s disastrous consequences.

You can put Kansas Farm Bureau on that list.

They like to claim they represent the heart and soul of Kansas farmers. But when elimination of the income tax plan emerged from the Kansas Legislature the KFB was nowhere to be found.

The tax plan is failing as predicted. And in a desperate attempt to find new revenue sources and further shift the balance of our state’s tax system, a bill is making its way through the Kansas Senate (SB 178) that would increase valuations on farm land by an average of 473%. That amount will vary from farm to farm, but one fact is unavoidable - if this bill passes taxes are going up for ag producers and landowners and it’s going to be painful.

Now the KFB finally shows up at the table - a day late and $173 million short (this is the amount of new revenue the tax is supposed to generate).

“SB 178 is a tax increase, is not equitable and would be detrimental to Kansas agriculture and small businesses,” says KFB President Rich Felts.

Thanks for acknowledging what many of us were saying two years ago. The bigger question, Mr. Felts, is where were you then?

When income taxes were removed from 191,000 Kansas corporations and tax rates were reduced by 24 percent for the state’s top tax bracket, was this not also “inequitable”? Did you honestly believe that Kansas agriculture would somehow elude the detrimental impact of this tax shift?

How can the state’s largest farm organization be so naive or so uninformed?

This is a fight that it should have been engaged in two years ago. It’s always much more difficult to undo bad legislation than it is to stop it in the first place.

We’re stuck with a huge financial mess in Kansas because too many people, like KFB, chose to be silent when their voices could have mattered most.

CARE families:

Creating 2 tiers of foster care families is bad policy

Not all foster parents, or any parents for that matter, are equal in the eyes of some Kansas lawmakers.

If you are a foster couple who has been living in a faithful, loving, monogamous relationship for at least seven years, have only one of you working outside the home, don’t drink or use tobacco in the home and attend a social group at least once a week then you are more special in the eyes of State Sen. Forrest Knox (R-Altoona).

The Kansas Senator had originally offered legislation to compensate foster parents who meet this criteria (he refers to them as CARE families) at a higher rate than the couple who has been married less than seven years and keeps a beer in the fridge. That idea was reluctantly withdrawn given the prospect that it would jeopardize federal funding for foster care services.

But it hasn’t stopped Knox from continuing to push for legislation that would provide basic state education aid (currently $3,838) for each youngster that a foster couple home-schools.

Knox’s legislation is wrong on so many fronts it’s hard to know where to begin, but let’s try: 1) What state agency is going to regularly investigate the personal lives of foster families to be sure they are faithful and loving? And why seven years? Why not six, or five?

2) While we might prefer not having alcohol or tobacco in the home, does this make someone a bad foster parent? Or is this your judgement?

3) Providing taxpayer dollars to any individuals who home-school is a dangerous precedent that would (or should) be challenged in the courts.

Sen. Knox claims many people have the impression that foster parents are “just doing it for the money.” But we fail to see how the offer of additional money for home-schooling will diminish that impression.

A two-tiered foster care initiative, as proposed

by Knox, would be impossible to monitor and would likely lead to fewer, not more, foster families. It’s a bad idea and would be terrible policy.

A growing level of intolerance It’s difficult for us to imagine living in parts of the world where people can be killed for being Christians, where cartoonists and their co-workers can become the victims of bombings and where no one dares to speak out against a nation’s ruling party for fear of being imprisoned . . . or worse.

We may not be as isolated as we would like to imagine thanks to our own Taliban insurgency in Kansas. Oh, you won’t see Kansas lawmakers wearing turbans or a thawb, but even more dangerous is their continuing shift toward policies of exclusion and intolerance that ignore the fact we are in the 21st Century - not the 1700s.

By now, the vast majority of Americans have recognized that the LGBT community isn’t going into hiding again and that gays and lesbians are here to stay (as if they never were among us to begin with). In an effort to protect the civil rights of those individuals, former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

issued an executive order in 2007 protecting them from discrimination.

Gov. Sam Brownback rescinded that executive order which means those individuals who “came out” are now at risk of job discrimination. Of course, that would never happen with an ultra-conservative Republican administration and an equally ultraconservative legislature in a state that has one-foot dangling over the ultraconservative cliff.

LGBT fears are much ado about nothing, right?

Those in the LGBT community aren’t the only ones who should be concerned about our state’s journey back in time.

Sen. Forrest Knox (RAltoona) would like to provide additional compensation for foster care parents if they are a husband/wife, if one person is a stay-at-home parent, and with the promise

they will attend a social group at least once a week which doesn’t have to be a church (wink, wink).

Call it what you will, but Sen. Knox’s proposal represents intolerance of those who don’t fit his image of the “perfect” parents.

Sen. Knox isn’t alone.

It was only a year ago that the Kansas House (by a vote of 72-49) passed a bill that would allow businesses and government employees to deny service to same-sex couples on the basis of their religious beliefs. For example, had a same-sex couple wanted to go to a movie, and the owner decided that your presence made him uncomfortable, he would have been justified in kicking you out . . . for religious reasons.

And for those who dared to be critical of the legislature for such inane votes, or for policies which are detrimental to our state’s education system, elderly, young people, etc., the legislature has further demonstrated its growing level of intolerance.

Legislators have specifically targeted a group of columnists, who are also faculty members at various Kansas universities, by saying they can no longer list their university job title in newspaper opinion columns. These columnists have been consistently critical of legislation - particularly tax and budget policies - enacted

by Gov. Brownback and the Republican-controlled legislature.

The legislation (HB 2234) only addresses newspaper columns. TV commercials, such as the one earlier this fall that had KSU football coach Bill Snyder endorsing Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, would not be affected.

Coincidence?

The legislature’s animosity toward newspapers in Kansas has reached what one Western Kansas lawmaker called a “toxic level” with another proposal that would allow cities to place legal publications on internet websites rather than in the local newspaper.

(See GROWING on page six)

Homeland Security held hostage The House of Representatives seems to be trying mightily to make itself irrelevant, with Speaker John Boehner leading the effort. I can’t help but think of the old proverb: “The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.”

The caravan, in this case, consists of President Obama, the Senate and the American people. It’s still early, but one has to wonder whether anything but yipping and yapping will emerge from the House before the next election.

Prospects, thus far, are not promising.

Under Boehner’s leadership, House Republicans are holding the Department of Homeland Security hostage in an attempt to force Obama to undo his executive actions on immigration. Funding for the agency expires at the end of the month, and

Where to Write

another view by Eugene Robinson

the House refuses to take up a simple appropriations bill without attaching unrelated immigration measures that have no chance of getting past the Senate or the president.

The timing of this attempted power play is less than exquisite. Each day seems to bring new reminders of the potential threat posed by terrorism.

A group allied with the Islamic State parades 21 Coptic Christians onto a beach in Libya and savagely beheads them.

A lone-wolf gunman stages a deadly attack in Copenhagen, perhaps modeled on the Charlie Hebdo killing spree in Paris.

So is this the moment to play political games

Gov. Sam Brownback 2nd Floor - State Capitol Topeka, Ks. 66612-1501 (785) 296-3232

with the nation’s safety from terrorist attacks?

“Certainly,” said Boehner, when asked Sunday whether he was prepared to see Homeland Security run out of funding.

Boehner’s stated position is that “the House has acted, we’ve done our job,” and that blame should fall on Senate Democrats for refusing to acquiesce in the anti-immigration putsch.

“Senate Democrats are the ones standing in the way.

They’re the ones jeopardizing funding,” Boehner said.

Some Republicans worry, however, that if Homeland Security does run out of money, the GOP will surely be blamed. Boehner has been around long enough to see his party get hammered after previous shutdowns. Surely he can’t really believe the political

Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-4774 roberts.senate.gov/email.htm

impact of this one, if it happens, will be any different.

So what is Boehner up to? A couple of weeks ago, it appeared that the speaker was staging an elaborate demonstration for the benefit of the more radical members of his caucus. They would pass their bill to undo Obama’s immigration reforms, witness that it had no chance of getting through the Senate and decide, sensibly, to pass a clean funding bill. Then they would pick a more favorable battleground - or, at least, more favorable timing for their next fight with the president.

But if this were Boehner’s grand plan, by now he should be scrambling to design a drawdown that does not look like capitulation. Instead, he continues to actively (See HOSTAGE on page six)

Sen. Jerry Moran 141 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6521 www.house.gov/moranks01/

The Scott County Record • Page 5 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Congress must shut down off-shore shelters

by Josh Hoxie

Republican lawmakers have largely greeted President Barack Obama’s new spending plan as dead on arrival.

But at least one provision has a chance of becoming law: a plan to tax the profits that large U.S. corporations have parked in offshore tax shelters and use that money to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

A series of heavy snowstorms in my hometown of Boston made the need for that kind of spending boost eminently clear.

The record snowfall brought the city’s aging and underfunded transit system to a complete halt. The hundreds of thousands of residents who depend on it have been repeatedly stranded.

So one thing is clear: We desperately need to invest in our infrastructure. But funding it

through a corporate tax holiday on offshore profits is a shortsighted mistake.

While some of these profits are stashed abroad because companies actually produced a product overseas and sold it to foreign consumers, a significant share comes from money generated here. It’s parked offshore purely to avoid taxes.

Corporations don’t have to pay taxes on these profits unless they “repatriate,” or bring this money back. A tax holiday, touted as an incentive to encourage investment, would reward the worst tax dodgers who hold a combined $2 trillion offshore.

The last time Congress tried to address this problem was in 2004. That’s when corporations got a one-time, 85 percent discount on their taxes in exchange for voluntarily repatriating their offshore earnings.

. . . the top 15 companies that benefited from the 2004 tax holiday fired over 20,000 U.S. workers while increasing their dividends to shareholders. In short, they used the tax holiday to line their own pockets.

This deal was billed as something that would spur growth and create jobs. Unfortunately, as research from the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities makes clear, that didn’t happen.

Instead, the top 15 companies that benefited from the 2004 tax holiday fired over 20,000 U.S. workers while increasing their dividends to shareholders. In short, they used the tax holiday to line their own pockets.

There’s no reason to expect anything different this time.

A recent report from Citizens for Tax Justice shows that 10 corporations would get a com-

bined $82 billion tax break from Obama’s proposal. Apple, Microsoft, and Citigroup would receive the largest benefit.

To Obama’s credit, his proposal is slightly tougher than the 2004 deal. He’s calling for a mandatory tax on the entire $2 trillion and tying it to further corporate tax reforms.

But his proposed tax rate for repatriated profits is only 14 percent - less than half the current regular rate of 35 percent.

And since this is just Obama’s opening bid, you can bet that it’ll be even lower after some negotiating.

In a demonstration of bipartisan support for the idea, Sens.

Barbara Boxer and Rand Paul have introduced legislation that would link a tax holiday to infrastructure spending. Their bill isn’t linked to broader tax reforms, makes compliance vol-

untary, and proposes a measly 6.5 percent rate.

Worse still, according to a congressional study, the plan would bleed revenue badly over the long run. That would prevent any uptick in dedicated infrastructure funds.

The need for increased infrastructure spending is unequivocal. The American Society for Civil Engineers, for instance, gave the United States a D+ on its most recent infrastructure report card. The group estimates that it would take $1.6 trillion in new spending over the next five years to get it up to code.

Meanwhile, many profitable global corporations like Verizon and GE pay absolutely nothing in federal taxes. Corporate income tax currently makes up just 10 percent of all federal revenue - down from 33 percent in 1952.

(See SHELTERS on page six)

Bankruptcy is at the end of coal’s dark cloud

by Emily Schwartz Greco

Subsidizing corporate crime

by Jim Hightower

“Do the crime, do the time,” goes the old saying. Unless of course, the criminals are corporate executives.

In those cases, the culprits are practically always given a “Get out of jail free” card.

Even the corporate crimes that produce horrible injuries, illnesses, death, etc. are routinely settled by fines and payoffs from the corporate treasury, with no punishment of the honchos who oversee what amount to crime-for-profit syndicates.

The only bit of justice in these money settlements is that some of them have become quite large, with multibilliondollar “punitive damages” meant to deter the perpetrators

from doing it again. Yet, the same bad corporate actors seem to keep at it.

What’s going on here is a game of winkin’ and noddin’ in which corporate criminals know that those headline-grabbing assessments come with a secret escape hatch. Congress has generously written the law so corporations can deduct much of their punitive payments from their income taxes!

As Sen. Pat Leahy points out, “This tax loophole allows corporations to wreak havoc and then write it off as a cost of doing business.”

For example, oil giant BP certainly wreaked havoc with its careless oil rig explosion in 2010, killing 11 workers, deeply contaminating the Gulf

of Mexico, and devastating the livelihoods of millions of people along the Gulf coast. So, BP was socked with a punishing payout topping $42 billion.

But - shhhh - 80 percent of that is eligible for a tax deduction, a little fact that was effectively covered up by the bosses and politicians.

Sen. Leahy has introduced legislation to lock down this escape hatch for thieves, killers, and executive-suite villains.

For more information on the moral outrage of ordinary taxpayers being forced to subsidize corporate criminals, contact U.S. PIRG at www.uspirg.org.

Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker and author

What do the executives earn who run money-losing companies? Millions of dollars if they’re coal overlords.

Take Gregory Boyce. He’s pocketed more than $60 million over the past nine years while steering Peabody Energy into a ditch.

Shares in Peabody, the world’s biggest private-sector coal company, have sunk 84 percent since 2010. Its debt has slipped to three rungs below investment grade. The St. Louis-based company lost $525 million in 2013 and hemorrhaged $787 million in 2014.

Richly rewarding failure is absurd. Yet it’s business as usual for King Coal as companies large and small hurtle toward bankruptcy.

Yes, coal remains a big business that generates about 40 percent of U.S. electricity. But experts say prices will fall further as domestic and foreign demand sag. Meanwhile, it costs more and more to mine coal in most regions at a time when other energy choices are getting cheaper.

Here’s another less-reported problem: The United States has already burned most of the coal that could be mined at a profit, says Clean Energy Action researcher Leslie Glustrom. In many parts of the country, all the coal that’s cost-effective to dig up could run out within 20 years, she predicts.

The United States has already burned most of the coal that could be mined at a profit. In many parts of the country, all the coal that’s cost-effective to dig up could run out within 20 years.

Without profits, the industry will eventually collapse.

And that’s good environmental news.

Coal-fired power plants release toxic mercury and account for more than a quarter of the nation’s climate-changing carbon pollution. Coal and its byproducts poison our air and water, spreading smog and triggering asthma attacks.

Boyce will retire soon, even though he’s a few years shy of 65. He’s getting out while the getting is good.

James River Coal and Patriot Coal, which Peabody spun off in 2007, have already declared bankrupty. More companies will follow suit, says outspoken industry mogul Robert E. Murray.

When corporations fold, they saddle the government with liabilities tied to their retirees.

When coal companies go out of business, costly benefits for thousands of former miners suffering from black lung disease are on the line.

The bankruptcy of big coal companies such as Peabody, Arch and Alpha would also rock financial markets, because these firms owe a lot of debt.

And their implosion could endanger the national grid (See COAL on page six)

Danger: our pensions are disappearing

How’s your 401(k) doing?

Working Americans ask themselves this question - and angst about the answer - a great deal these days.

And why not? For most Americans, retirement reality has turned chillingly stark: Either you have a robust set of investments in your 401(k) or you’re facing some really rocky happy years.

A generation ago, working Americans didn’t have to obsess about retirement savings accounts. Americans had pensions back then, not 401(k)s.

These pensions represented a commitment from employers to workers: You work here a set number of years, you can count on a monthly pension at a set amount.

behind the headlines

by Sam PIzzigati

In these traditional pension plans, the risk rested with employers. They shouldered the responsibility for funding a pension plan’s “defined benefits.”

With 401(k)s and the like, employees have no promised “defined benefit.” Their future retirement income depends on how well their 401(k) investments end up doing, not how long or how diligently they’ve worked over the course of their careers.

In other words, the retirement risk has shifted, from employer to employee.

Our current 401(k)s actu-

ally began in the 1980s as a supplement, not a substitute, to traditional pension plans. But America’s top corporate execs quickly came to see these investment vehicles as a cheaper - for employers - alternative.

Between 1990 and 2010, the share of America’s private-sector employees in traditional pension plans fell by nearly half, from 42 to 22 percent.

This huge drop-off in traditional pension participation, says a new Economic Policy Institute report, is generating both angst and inequality.

Among America’s most affluent 20 percent, 88 percent have savings sitting in a 401(k) or similar retirement savings account. The savings in the accounts of these affluent Americans averaged $308,674

in 2010, the most recent year with data.

In America’s statistical middle class, by contrast, exists a totally different reality. Only 52 percent of Americans in the middle fifth of the nation’s income distribution have savings in retirement accounts, and these accounts average only $34,981.

And America’s poorest fifth has an even bleaker retirement outlook. Only 11 percent of those Americans have any 401(k) savings, and these savings average just $7,543.

These unequal outcomes should surprise no one.

Participants in 401(k)s and similar plans have to contribute to participate. In an era of shrinking real paychecks, many employees simply can’t afford

to set aside much, if any, money for their retirement.

Those Americans with comfortable incomes who can afford to set aside the maximum possible savings in their 401(k)s go on, in turn, to benefit from both the standard employer’s 401(k) matching contribution and the tax breaks that all 401(k) savings enjoy.

The predictable result: The gap between the affluent and everyone else stretches even wider.

We have moved, in short, from a traditional pension system where “many retirees could count on predictable, constant streams of income,” as the new EPI study notes, to a system where most Americans can’t afford to retire.

(See PENSIONS on page six)

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Valuation change would be blow to state ag

Back in the 1980s the method of appraising agricultural land for property tax purposes was changed. At that time ag land, like all other classes of property, was valued on its market value.

But inflationary pressures were making it difficult for farmers and ranchers to pay their property tax bill. Ag land is the only class of property which never grows, and the old saying that “they aren’t making any more” is entirely accurate.

Because of that unique characteristic of ag land,

Legislative Update Rep. Don Hineman 118th District

it has always represented a store of value and a safe haven for money in uncertain economic times.

In other words, when the future is unpredictable, many people invest in ag land because it is seen as a very safe place to invest while they wait for better investment opportunities to develop elsewhere.

That is certainly a large part of the reason that land

Bush says he will harm nation differently from his brother

by Andy Borowitz

CHICAGO (The Borowitz Report) - In an effort to distance himself from the legacy of his brother, George W. Bush, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will use a major foreign-policy speech on Wednesday to assert that, if elected President, he would harm the nation in completely different ways.

“A lot of people are looking at me and thinking that I’m just going to be a rerun of my brother,” Bush told reporters before the speech.

“They are greatly underestimating my ability to create chaos and destruction in ways that are uniquely mine.”

As an example, Bush said, he was unlikely to invade Iraq for a third time, calling such an action “too derivative.”

“George already did it, and Dad did it before him,” he said. “Call it my independent streak, if you will, but I want to spawn some disasters of my own.”

To that end, Bush said that he and his foreignpolicy team were already scanning the globe for “new and different places” where the United States could become involved in open-ended and pointless quagmires.

“I see boundless opportunities for the reckless and totally optional insertion of American military force,” he said. “No offense to my brother, but there were a few spots that George missed.”

Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

Shelters

(continued from page five)

A better proposal would close loopholes for both corporations and America’s superrich and spend some of the extra money collected on infrastructure.

Closing offshore tax shelters is a great idea. Giving a major tax break to the corporations that built them is not.

Josh Hoxie is the director of the Project on Opportunity and Taxation at the Institute for Policy Studies

Coal

(continued from page five)

unless utilities move faster to undergo a necessary transition to other kinds of energy. The best choices are solar, wind and other renewable options.

As running coal companies shifts from unprofitable to impossible, power outages could strike.

“Grandma is going to get cold in the dark,” Murray warned, accusing anyone expecting coal to rebound of “smoking dope.”

Investors have strong financial, as well as ethical, health and environmental motives to dump their coal holdings. So it’s no wonder that some large-scale fossil-fuel divestment decisions are starting with coal.

For example, Stanford University is stripping coal assets from its $21.4 billion endowment. The Norwegian government’s $850 billion sovereign wealth fund declared a few weeks ago that it’s swearing off coal - along with the tar sands, gold mining and cement industries.

And state lawmakers are trying to force two publicsector California pension funds with a total of $500 billion in assets to go coal-free.

Gregory Boyce dismisses the movement to divest from dirty energy as “symbolic.”

Seriously? The way Peabody Energy pads its CEO’s paychecks amid mounting losses is what’s really symbolic.

Emily Schwartz Greco is a former foreign correspondent and financial reporter

Support Your Hometown Merchants!

prices have skyrocketed in recent years. For at least the past 20 years, ag land prices have steadily risen without any downturn while grain prices and yields have varied wildly from year to year.

Land is subject to inflationary pressures that other classes of property avoid, and the reason is because they aren’t making any more!

So in 1986 the Kansas constitution was changed to allow ag land to be valued for property taxes based on its productive capability rather than

its market value. It is a complicated formula, but works well to estimate the producing capability of the land.

Now, however, that formula is under attack.

In 2012 when a massive income tax cut was proposed, assurances were made that cutting income tax would not result in higher property taxes. Many of us were not buying the story then, and we now have solid evidence that the ploy was a smokescreen to gain enough votes to pass the tax cut.

Growing The legislature isn’t concerned with the thought of putting the public’s business further out of sight of taxpayers and making local government less transparent. This is about hitting Kansas newspapers in the pocketbook in response to so many editorial writers who have been critical of the state’s fiscal policies.

It’s not necessary to bomb an editor’s office.

It’s much more civilized to try to push them out of business because they

encourage right-wing intransigence. I don’t understand why.

A clean Homeland Security bill, with no immigration provisions, probably would pass.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says such legislation would receive unanimous Democratic support, and there may be enough moderate Republicans who would join in.

But Boehner is loath to bring to the floor any bill that does not have the sup-

“For a large swath of America,” Marketwatch analyst Matthew Heimer adds, Social Security has become “the only remaining financial crutch for retirement.”

In the meantime, many of the same corporate execs who’ve cut back on traditional worker pension coverage are spearheading the charge for cutbacks in Social Security.

Last fall, my Institute for Policy Studies colleagues looked at the 71 big-time CEOs pushing the “Fix the Debt” campaign to trim Social Security and other major federal “entitlement”

Rep. Don Hineman’s 118th District includes Scott, Lane and Wichita counties. He can be reached at 785-2967636 (Topeka) or e-mail: don. hineman@house.ks.gov

According to KIDS COUNT, only 61 percent of Kansas students entering kindergarten in 2012 were fully immunized (the most current year for data). That’s down from 72 percent the previous year and continues a downward trend that began in 2009.

We cannot move forward as a state if our thinking is stuck in the past and if a certain group of people continue to believe they have been anointed to serve as the

morality police for everyone else. Kansas lawmakers and our people aren’t being seen as holders of the moral compass for everyone else, but are being mocked for their absurd view of fiscal policy, their constant battles within the education community over science standards and their inability to accept people for whom and what they choose to be.

That, quite simply, is intolerable.

Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

(continued from page four)

port of a majority of the Republican caucus. This policy has allowed him to keep his job as speaker through four politically tumultuous years. But it has not allowed the House to accomplish much of anything at all.

Things were supposed to be different once the GOP won control of the Senate. Indeed, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) came into office determined to show the nation that the Republican Party is capable of governing.

Pensions

ers, and rural economies would be devastating.

Once again, the consequences of an overlyaggressive tax cut plan are becoming evident.

Instead of laying waste to the economy of rural Kansas perhaps it is time to own up to the fact that we went too far, too fast.

The tax cut of 2012 was a bad plan. Our focus now should be to correct the plan’s excesses.

(continued from page four)

are exercising their First Amendment rights.

This is what intolerance looks like in Kansas - minus the turban.

Unfortunately, this level of ignorance and intolerance wouldn’t be possible without voters who share a similar willingness to be governed by those whose heads are buried in the 1700s. What else, other than a refusal to believe in science, would explain the steady decline in childhood immunization rates in Kansas?

Hostage

Last week, Sen. Jeff Melcher (R-Leawood) introduced a bill which would radically alter the way that agricultural land is valued for property tax purposes. SB 178 would cause a massive tax shift from all other classes of property and increase taxes on ag land drastically.

Statewide, the bill would increase valuations on dryland by an average of 408%, irrigated farmland by an average of 593% and grassland by an average of 672%. The effect on farmers, ranch-

(continued from page five)

programs. These 71 top execs have accumulated, on average, $9 million each in their own personal company pension plans.

A dozen of these CEOs have over $20 million in their pension accounts.

If at age 65 these dozen converted their assets to an annuity, the Institute for Policy Studies researchers note, “they would receive a monthly check for at least $110,000 for life.”

How does that compare with your retirement plan?

Sam Pizzigati is an Institute for Policy Studies associate fellow and a co-author of the report ‘Fix the Debt’ CEOs Enjoy Taxpayer-Subsidized Pay.”

But it isn’t. The GOP can’t even pass a bill allowing the agency that’s supposed to protect us from terrorist attacks to stay open for business.

This is not a dispute over money; the House isn’t being frugal. It isn’t even a dispute over policy; House Republicans could have a proper immigration debate if they wanted to by using as a starting point the bipartisan immigration reform package the Senate passed in 2013.

Members of the tea party caucus don’t really want

to take up the immigration issue, however. They want to stamp their feet.

And Boehner chooses to let them stamp away.

There are those who believe Boehner to be a skillful tactician. I see, instead, a hapless substitute teacher whose unruly class refuses to come to order. At this rate, his only legacy will be his own survival.

Eugene Robinson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and former assistant managing editor for The Washington Post

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

editor’s mail . . .

Know facts about cost of Medicaid expansion I don’t know if anyone caught This Week in Kansas on Sunday morning, but here is an email I sent to Tim Brown.

Dear Tim, I enjoy your show and your discussions on the topics of the week. However, I was dismayed at the utter ignorance of Mr. Journey on the topic of Medicaid expansion. If you are going to have someone on your show, who is supposed to know what they are talking about, at least they could do their homework and present the FACTS as they are, and if they don’t know, admit it.

Mr. Journey stated that if we were to expand Medicaid to people who are left without coverage by the state not expanding the coverage that, “Funding would drop back to 60/40% federal to state ratio. He completely mislead your viewers with his ignorance, and you allowed him to get by with it. It would be fully funded for the first three years starting in 2014 by the federal government, and phase down to 90% federal funding by 2020 and continue at that rate thereafter.

Here is a link for you to verify. It wouldn’t have been that hard for Mr. Journey or you to google it, I did to find this link and it took all of 30 seconds (http://medicaid.gov/affordablecar…/provisions/financing.html).

And, by the way, I signed up on the ACA site this afternoon and saved $360/month on my health insurance and received far better coverage than what I previously had.

Von Peterson McPherson

Buyers Mold and mildew are especially problematic in bathrooms and they require your attention when trying to sell your home.

With all the publicity concerning the illnesses that mold can cause, prospective home buyers are more sensitive than ever about its presence.

Use liquid household bleach or cleaners with bleach to remove mildew stains from shower doors, shower curtains and grout between tiles. Be careful when using bleach products. If spilled on rugs and other fabrics, they can leave bleach spots.

Use a non-streaking cleaning product, such as a glass or glass and multisurface cleaner, for shower doors and mirrors.

A regular routine, including rinsing the tub after bathing, using a small squeegee on shower walls after each use, and drying faucets and handles to prevent water spots, will keep things clean.

Also when you are preparing your home for sale, don’t forget to wash the windows, vacuum carpets and drapes and dust thoroughly. Use a dusting product so that the dust will be trapped and

(continued from page three)

removed rather than dispersed in the air. Vacuum regularly, using long straight strokes.

If repainting is not in the budget, carefully clean surfaces to remove dust, grime and fingerprints.

Painted surfaces are usually washable, but test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first.

Use a non-abrasive, all-purpose cleaner. To avoid streak marks when cleaning large vertical areas, start at the bottom and work up, overlapping areas and using a circular motion.

Keeping on top of the cleaning chores will make your home look its best. And, once a buyer is found, it’ll be easy to have the house “broom ready” for that final walk-through before closing day.

Don’t let newspapers and mail pile up. Sort every day and discard what isn’t needed. Place a few baskets in strategic locations around the house.

When the real estate agent calls, the clutter that is an inevitable part of daily life can be quickly scooped up into the baskets and hidden away.

And, get in the habit of making a nightly “sweep” just before bedtime.

On the night before a showing, use disposable wipes to quick-clean toilet bowls and areas in the kitchen. Make sure all the dishes are done and put away.

Clean as you go, wiping up spills as they happen.

Vacuum high traffic areas and make sure the glass on front doors and bathroom mirrors are clean.

This will make potential buyers feel better about the home they are looking at.

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The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Lions International to honor Frank at district convention Scott City Lions Club President Landon Frank will be presented the International Lions Club Presidential Certificate of Appreciation at the District Convention of Western Kansas Lions to be held in Hays on March 7.

This is the third highest award by Lions Club International and will be presented by International Director Yves Leveille of Canada during the noon luncheon at Memorial Union on the FHSU campus.

Frank has been a Lions Club member since September 2002, serving as club president since July 1, 2007.

Frank also serves as a board member of the Lions-West Vision Alliance, an alliance of Lions Clubs from Ulysses, Scott City, Dighton and Ransom. He is currently the Alliance treasurer.

Frank was instrumental in promoting the Scott City Lions into becoming a member of the LionsWest Vision Alliance.

Through his efforts, the club was able to contribute $1,100 to the Alliance for the purchase of the Pedia-Vision screener for use by the member clubs.

During October 2014, under his scheduling and direction, the Scott City

(continued from page one)

the years; both in very . . . it proposes the good farming years and in use of volatile, artificial very bad farming years,” cash rental rates which said KFU president Donn would upend the predictable revenue stream upon Teske.

“Coming up with these which Kansas counties, school districts and state tax payments can often government depend to be a struggle, but Kansas fund operations.

KFB President farmers and ranchers have Rich Felts done this with little complaining, knowing these taxes are needed to help The bill would remove fund local schools, county what has been a stable infrastructure, hospitals, and nationally-recognized state needs and more.” system for calculating and taxing the income potenSharper Fluctuations tial of farm land, accordAccording to KFB, the ing to the KFB. bill would change the ba“Instead, it proposes sis for property taxes from the use of volatile, artifian eight-year rolling aver- cial cash rental rates which age of farm income to a would upend the predictfive-year rolling average. able revenue stream upon Ag land is currently taxed which Kansas counties, on the basis of yields av- school districts and state eraged over an eight-year government depend to period, income, costs and fund operations,” emphasoil production capability. sizes Felts.

In addition, the bill proposes removing the Second Time Around floor and ceiling used The idea of eliminating in the capitalization rate the use-value method of of land, which provides setting the value of farm some predictability in tax land isn’t new. Sen. Jeff liability for producers and Melcher (R-Leawood) tax revenue for local gov- proposed similar legislaernment. tion a year ago, “but this The bill would estab- proposal goes a lot farlish valuations for each ther,” says Hineman. parcel of ag land based on “I don’t know that cash rental rates. there’s more traction this The change would ac- time, but there is deficentuate spikes and dips nitely a greater sense of in farm income that result desperation because of the from droughts, freezes state’s financial situation,” and other events which Hineman points out. can have a sharp decrease The state representain production, in addition tive says the PVD is still to conditions which result putting together numbers in bumper crops and a showing the county-byspike in farm income. county impact of the Sen-

Landon Frank

Lions provided for the Lions Mobile Screening Unit to provide vision, hearing, blood pressure and blood glucose screening to anyone in the community.

The following month, in November 2014, the Scott City Lions, in cooperation with the Scott County school’s nurse department, were able to vision screen nearly 500 elementary school children for vision disorders using the Pedia-Vision screener.

“Through the leadership of Lion President Landon, the members of the Scott City Lions Club have seen a renewed spirit of community service which has profoundly benefited the citizens of Scott City,” says the certificate that will be presented to Frank by his fellow Lions.

Security and $3,400 for jail staff.

After the first year, the cost for jail staff would be about $2,000 annually.

“It might be a good idea to visit jails of our size and see what they’re doing,” she noted. “We could see what procedures

Ag Land

ate bill. While land values may spike by 400, 500 or 600 percent for some landowners that doesn’t mean their property taxes will increase by a similar percentage.

Preliminary numbers indicate that Lane County ag land values will increase, on average, by 473 percent. The average tax bill for the owners of ag land would increase by an average of 364 percent, says Hineman.

“The percentages within a county and from county to county will vary based on soil types and production history,” Hineman says.

Initial figures released by the PVD indicated that the change in valuations would generate $988 in additional tax revenue. Hineman questions that figure, noting that it’s based on the average statewide tax levy of 122.85 mills. Higher valuations would result in a lower mill levy for each taxing entity that includes ag land as part of their tax revenue - primarily the state, school districts and counties.

“There would be a massive tax shift from all other classes of property to ag land,” emphasizes Hineman.

While the shift would be significant, he says it would be “less painful” in those counties which have significant agricultural production.

In addition to the tax burden it would put on agricultural land, Hineman says the proposal doesn’t solve the state’s financial problem. He notes it would generate approximately $173 million for the state’s general fund when the state is in need of $300 million to $350 million in the short-term.

“Even if it passes as it is, which is very unlikely, it only solves part of the problem,” says Hineman.

“I’m hoping for a low of blowback on this as people become more informed about what is being proposed and how it will affect them. We have a serious tax and revenue problem and this isn’t moving us toward a solution that’s equitable for most Kansans.

“And everyone should be concerned about how this will impact rural communities and agriculture in the state.”

Teske accused Melcher of turning to rural Kansas to “prop up a failing, crippled, taxation system that once was a traditionally stable, three-legged stool of funding Kansas needs through income, sales, and property taxes.”

“We in rural Kansas already know this administration’s cutting of school funding will increase our local property taxes to pick up part of that gap in school district needs. Our property taxes will be going up without SB178,” added Teske.

that Compass Behavioral Health and local director Kent Hill are available to work with officers on issues involving drug addiction and mental illnesses.

The first step, emphasized Faurot, is to review

the procedures already in place and “see if we are exposed to potential legal issues.”

“Part of the problem seems to be the facility.

Part of it is the training.

We need to address both,” Minnix emphasized.

(continued from page one)

and policies are working for them.”

A procedural manual for the Shawnee County jail was more than 600 pages.

“We hope to avoid something of this size, but whatever we do will still

be a substantial manual,” said Faurot.

When Anderson was asked what the sheriff’s department and jail staff were using now as a guideline he said a procedure manual was developed by officers in his

department.

Faurot said there has also been discussion about continuing education for LEC staff which could cover issues such as how to deal with prisoners who are in withdrawal from drugs. It was noted

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The Scott County Record

Youth/Education

Page 9 - Thursday, February 19, 2015

SCHS is weighing a later start to school day

Scott Community High School students who don’t consider themselves early-morning risers may have another option in the 2015-16 school year.

At the recommendation of SCHS Principal Shelly Turner, the board of education is considering a proposal that would allow students to choose whether to start their school day at 7:45 a.m. or 8:45 a.m.

In a survey of students, Turner says about 25 percent said they would prefer the later starting time.

Turner says there are numerous studies that refer to the “optimal learning time” for students, noting that some perform better later in the school day. One of her biggest reasons for considering the change is with the number of students

who are regularly late for school or have unexcused absences.

“Often times it’s the same students,” she noted.

“I had one girl who was late four times in the first eight days of school, but she shows up regularly at 8:30.”

Tentative plans call for a seven-hour school day, as it is now. Curriculum offered during the first

and eighth hours would be classes that are also available at other times during the school day. Classes, such as band, which are offered only one time during the day would not be offered during the first or last hours.

Teacher schedules would be adjusted so they are teaching either the first seven hours of the day or the last seven. Turner said

about seven teachers said they would prefer the later start time.

The district’s food service department said it would be able to provide breakfast to students who choose the later starting time.

“No more staff would be required and there would be no added cost to the district,” emphasizes Turner.

in memory of Alyssa

SC youth begins drive to aid Ronald McDonald House

When Hannah Faurot stepped inside a Ronald McDonald House for the first time it was to visit family members while her cousin was being treated at nearby Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. “Her family had to spend about 45 days there,” recalls the 13-year-old Scott City Elementary School student.

The friendly environment made quite an impression on Faurot.

“It was just like being at home. They had X-box games and everything,” she says.

That was five years ago. Her cousin, Alyssa Hutchens, who lived three hours away in Easton, passed away in November at the age of 16.

While Alyssa was alive, she wanted to express her appreciation to those who operated the Ronald McDonald House by raising money so that other youngsters and their families could also benefit from the assistance the homes provide. She was especially interested in raising money for a third Ronald McDonald House near Children’s Mercy which was in the planning stages.

Alyssa located containers around the community so friends, family and others could donate pop tabs.

She never got to see the new home which was completed on Feb. 13.

After Alyssa’s death, her mother asked Hannah if she’d be interested in continuing with the fundraising that her daughter had begun. Hannah shares her passion for the Ronald McDonald Houses, telling others that people can stay in them for free and how they’re a great way for families to stay close to their children while they’re being treated at the hospital.

Following a recent presentation to students at SCES, Faurot located containers in classrooms where tab donations could be dropped off. Students at Scott City Middle School are also contributing to the effort. There is a competition between the four grades to see which class can collect the most.

The drive got off to a good start with two large containers of tabs donated by her cousins, Houston and Ella Frank.

Pop tabs are a popular way of fundraising because they are much easier to deal

(See START on page 16)

McEachern on HCC honor list

Michael McEachern, a sophomore from Scott City, has been named to the Vice President’s Honor Roll for the fall semester at Hutchinson Community College.

The honor roll recognizes full-time students with a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

Scheuerman named ‘Teacher of Promise’

Hannah Faurot with some of the pop tabs that have been collected for the Ronald McDonald Houses. (Below) Hannah’s cousin, Alyssa Hutchens, and her parents and an artist’s concept of the new Ronald McDonald House that she was raising money to help build.

with than containers and a tab actually contains more aluminum than an entire can, according to Hannah’s mother, Julie.

“It’s a way for me to remember my cousin,” says Faurot, who recalled how Alyssa loved sports.

“Each door at the Ronald McDonald House had a basketball goal on them.

Alyssa would always be playing basketball on them,” she says.

Hannah’s commitment to helping her cousin’s cause was also evident this past December. Instead of birthday presents, she asked that donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House project. She personally delivered the $350 in donations on a trip to Kansas City.

Hannah and her family will be taking their first load of tab donations to the Ronald McDonald House in April. They plan to return in May with the remainder of

their donations.

After school is out for the summer, Hannah says she plans to continue collecting tabs and donate them, but it will probably be on a smaller scale.

Lawmakers want districts to tap reserves Some lawmakers have been calling for school districts to tap their cash reserves to help cover the $28 million the governor plans to cut from the education budget.

But school officials dispute the notion that districts are overflowing with cash and say lawmakers need a better understanding of why districts build up savings in the first place.

“It’s wrong for money to be in savings accounts when it should be in the classroom,” said Rep. Pete DeGraaf (R-Mulvane). “The last four years we’ve been encouraging schools to use their unencumbered balances. We may be a little more” direct this year.

The administration of Gov. Sam Brownback circulated a document last

In order to participate in most sports, studentathletes would need to start their school day at 7:45 a.m. If any of those same athletes weren’t involved in a sport in the second semester, Turner says they could opt for the later starting time after the semester break.

The reason for considering the change, says

week among lawmakers and supporters that showed that school districts across the state had about $381 million in “flexible” funds as of July 1.

The Division of Budget arrived at $381 million by adding up the districts’ contingency funds and several other dedicated funds that are designated for specific purposes, such as virtual and bilingual education or summer school, but can be used for other purposes if necessary.

The agency, which is headed by Shawn Sullivan, Brownback’s budget director, also included one-third of the special-education and textbook funds. Statute allows school districts to use one-third of those funds for other purposes, while the rest must be used for the designated purposes.

Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce

(R-Hutchinson) said the cash balances in some districts’ savings “are just absurd.”

Diane Gjerstad, lobbyist for the Wichita school district, said the administration’s numbers, which are seven months old, overstate the amount in the district’s moveable reserves.

It was noted that special education money is put into reserves because state funding for special education is not distributed until October, but districts need to pay for special education in August and September.

One-third of the Wichita district’s special-education reserve fund was $3.6 million in July. But as of Jan. 31, it was only $645.

(See RESERVES on page 16)

Alyssa Scheuerman was one of two seniors at Bethel College, Newton, chosen by the college’s education faculty to attend an educators’ conference in Topeka.

Scheuerman, formerly of Scott City, was named a “Teacher of Promise.”

She joined other students across the state who earned the same honor and were selected to participate in the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN) State Education Conference.

Scheuerman, a 2011 graduate of Scott Community High School, is completing a degree in elementary and special education.

During the last school year, Scheuerman was the student representative to Bethel’s Teacher Education Committee, which serves to advise the director of teacher education, coordinate the program of teacher education with the various departments of the college, and approve candidates for admission to the teacher education program, for student teaching, and for teaching licensure.

Scheuerman was named a NAIA All-America ScholarAthlete for 2013-14.

County 4-H Club News

4-Hers prepare for Club Day Feb. 21 The Country Cousins 4-H Club meeting was called to order on February 2.

Hope Weichman demonstrated how to sew slippers and Chelsi Rose played a song on her clarinet.

County Club Day will be held in Oakley on Feb. 21.

Club Day is when 4-Hers compete in events such as demonstrations, project talks, music and dramatics.

Citizenship in Action was held Feb. 14-16. Delegates attended conferences about leadership, citizenship, and government. They also visited the state capitol building and met our state legislators.

Kodi Rogers, reporter

For the Record Making sure loved ones are ready for retirement The Scott County Record

Jason Alderman

What if a sudden, debilitating illness, fraud or economic downturn affected your senior family member’s retirement, estate or long-term care issues? Would you be prepared to take over?

If the answer is no, you’re not alone.

According to a 2013 study from the Pew Research Center, four in 10 U.S. adults are caring for a loved one with significant health issues.

The Scott County Record Page 10 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Don’t wait for a crisis to initiate this conversation. Starting early can help you plan and even safeguard your own career and retirement planning. Here are some suggestions for starting the conversation: •Identify the missing links.

Find information gaps you need to fill to help your senior relative plan for retirement. If key financial information investment and banking accounts, legal documents

Public Notice (Published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Feb. 19, 2015) 1t

SCOTT COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS JANUARY 2015 GENERAL FUND SALARIES ............................................ $ 89,402.29 COMMODITIES ....................................

6,349.52 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ................. 146,427.06 CAPITAL OUTLAY..................................

36.53 OTHER...................................................

6,396.93 COUNTY HEALTH FUND SALARIES .............................................

COMMODITIES .....................................

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES .................

CAPITAL OUTLAY .................................

OTHER...................................................

15,290.94 7,106.99 1,276.18 0.00 0.00

NOXIOUS WEED FUND SALARIES...............................................

COMMODITIES ......................................

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES...................

OTHER ...................................................

4,467.41 0.00 441.00 0.00

ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND SALARIES ..............................................

COMMODITIES.......................................

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES....................

CAPITAL OUTLAY....................................

30,158.57 652.28 14,639.64 0.00

FIRE DISTRICT FUND SALARIES ..............................................

COMMODITIES ......................................

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES....................

CAPITAL OUTLAY ..................................

389.28 58.59 1,407.00 0.00

TREASURER’S SPECIAL FUND SALARIES ...............................................

COMMODITIES .......................................

CONTRACTUAL SERVICES ....................

CAPITAL OUTLAY.....................................

OTHER .....................................................

4,997.26 0.00 1,418.04 0.00 525.85

JAMES M. MINNIX Chairman

ALICE BROKOFSKY Scott County Clerk

or doctors’ contact information - is missing, list any and all unknowns to be researched and compiled.

•Schedule a family financial meeting.

Schedule a specific day and time and create an agenda that meets the needs of your senior relative. It is not always necessary to involve all direct family members in a preliminary discussion, but make sure that relevant individuals are aware of the meeting.

After helping your senior relative assess his or her financial situation, make sure to identify next steps and responsibilities.

•Locate important financial documents.

Ask your senior relative to show you where his or her key documents and accounts are, such as retirement and pension information, checkbooks, investment statements, insurance policies and legal and estate data.

Find out where incom-

ing bills are kept in case you have to step in and help manage monthly bills.

•Consider seeking financial counseling.

Any number of reasons, from illness to fraud, may explain losing control of personal finances. If your relative has been working with a qualified financial or tax advisor, the family team should consider meeting with him or her if a need arises.

If outside tax, financial or legal help is needed,

the team and your senior relative should discuss who those professionals should be, what their fees are and what you expect them to do.

•Make and agree on a plan.

After all the information gathering and discussion is complete, make a plan - in writing, if possible - to review the senior’s wishes, set an action plan and assign responsibilities as necessary.

(See READY on page 11)

KHP to enforce seat belt compliance near high schools Beginning February 23 and continuing through March 6, the Kansas Highway Patrol will work on an annual seatbelt enforcement campaign around area high schools.

In 2014, 34 Kansas teenagers (ages 13-19) were killed in crashes with 63% of those victims not being properly restrained. The hope of

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Dept.

Jan. 27: A report of theft of property or services was taken in the 1300 block of South Church.

Feb. 12: Christy Jeffery, 37, was arrested on a Scott County warrant and transported to the LEC. Feb. 16: A report of criminal damage to property was taken in the 1300 block of south Myrtle Street.

Scott Co. Sheriff’s Dept.

Feb. 11: Merton Tarryn Goodman, 19, was charged with DUI and aggravated battery.

the enforcement is to work to increase education and enforcement on seatbelt laws.

The Kansas SAFE program began in 2008, in southeast Kansas. It is a teen run, peer to peer program, focused on increasing teen restraint compliance through education, positive rewards and enforcement. The goal of

SAFE is to increase seatbelt use among students while providing strong traffic safety messages throughout the school year.

“Our priority is to keep motorists of all ages safe as they travel to and from their destinations. It is our hope that by encouraging students to wear their seatbelts, this will begin

a lifelong practice, which will help keep them safe in the years to come,” said Colonel Mark Bruce, KHP Superintendent.

For the two-week enforcement period, troopers and other officers will work near local high schools. Anyone caught not properly restrained could be issued a citation.

The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Brownback’s KDOT sweeps are back in budget

A House committee that had rejected Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan to take millions from the Kansas Department of Transportation stood down Monday.

What had at first been a legislative rebuke of the governor is now a small victory, as lawmakers grapple with how to budget while facing a massive revenue shortfall.

The Transportation and Public Safety Budget

Committee voted to reverse itself during a quick meeting.

In January, Brownback recommended KDOT surrender $140 million in the upcoming fiscal year and another $140 million in the 2017 fiscal year. The plan calls for a greater percentage of highway projects to be financed under the governor’s plan by raising the state’s statutory cap on transportation bond debt.

On Thursday, the com-

Public Notice

within the budget and this action. While I appreciate Rep. Jennings’ motion and the discussion it created, it’s simply too much, too quickly, too soon,” Claeys said.

On Thursday, Jennings argued $2.1 billion had been withdrawn from KDOT since 2010 to cover basic government operations, and continued raids on the department’s revenue stream would force the state to take on greater debt or compro-

mise project schedules.

Under the original proposal, in fiscal year 2016 $116 million from KDOT would have been moved to the general treasury, $20 million for bonds on the Capitol renovation and $4 million to help subsidize ticket prices at Wichita’s airport. Similar shifts would have taken place in fiscal year 2017 also.

Jennings said Monday he wasn’t surprised with the reversal.

“We’ve used up all of the borrowing that’s available, basically, and we’re being asked essentially to use borrowed money on debt - capital improvement, $20 million. That’s like a credit card on a credit card,” Jennings said.

Jennings said despite the committee undoing his motion, the episode had caused more discussion of the challenges facing the state.

Public Notice

(Published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Feb. 19, 2015)1t

TREASURER’S QUARTERLY STATEMENT SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS • AS OF JAN. 31, 2015 Total cash in the Scott County Treasury as of the above date $13,784,600.60 FUND

mittee agreed to take out the $280 million in transfers from the proposed budget. No one opposed the motion made

by Rep. Russell Jennings (R-Lakin). Chairman Rep. J.R. Claeys (R-Salina) said after Monday’s meeting more study is needed on what impact removing the sweeps would have on the budget as a whole.

“It’s important that we bring all the parties together and come up with a solution that fits

FUND BALANCES

General .................................................................. $ 2,253,919.04 Community Development Block Grant Loan ........

0.00 Micro-Loan Revolving Loan Fund .........................

88,871.50 Alcohol Program ....................................................

1,958.29 Indoor Arena Fund ................................................

8,961.01 11,250.63 Special Cemetery Equipment .................................

County Employee Benefits ..................................... 1,172,553.84 County Health - M. Koehn Memorial .....................

122.67 County Health - J. Binns Memorial ........................

391.99 County Health .........................................................

300,366.41 County Health - Bio-Terrorism ................................

20,822.24 County Health - Special Assistance ........................

7,654.66 Home Health ...........................................................

0.00 Hospital Maintenance ..............................................

0.00 Library Maintenance ................................................

0.00 Library Building ........................................................

13,276.06 Noxious Weed ..........................................................

87,875.77 Special Noxious Weed Equipment ...........................

108,992.31 Landfill Special Equipment Sales ............................

23,700.32 Road and Bridge ...................................................... 1,185,325.19 Fire District ...............................................................

171,444.45 County Public Buildings ........................................... 1,228,032.39 Special Highway Improvement ................................

351,627.87 Special Road Machinery ..........................................

390,353.68 Equipment Reserve ..................................................

464,721.50 County Bond and Interest ........................................ 1,979,486.32 Hospital Bond and Interest ......................................

514,113.95 Sheriff Equipment Fund .............................................

294.64 Special Law Enforcement ..........................................

4,253.84 Prosecutor Training and Assistance ...........................

5,756.82 Attorney Worthless Check Fees .................................

471.25 Register of Deeds Technology Fund ..........................

44,289.21 Motor Vehicle Operating Fund ...................................

7,585.66 Zella O. Carpenter (S.A.) ............................................ 324,183.75 Zella O. Carpenter ....................................................

508,740.00 Oil and Gas Valuation Depletion ............................... 1,043,816.45 Keystone General .....................................................

13.07 Keystone Hall .............................................................

13.03 Scott Township General ...........................................

537.72 Advance Tax ..............................................................

0.00 Current Tax ................................................................ 1,199,617.86 Current Tax Interest ...................................................

1,278.66 Tax Escrow Accounting .............................................

23,270.05 Delinquent Personal Property Tax .............................

(45.03) Redemptions .............................................................

4,276.33 Commercial Motor Vehicle ........................................

3,698.79 Motor Vehicle Registration Tax ..................................

23,986.18 Recreation Vehicle Tax ...............................................

420.87 Rental and Excise Tax ................................................

0.00 911 Tariff .....................................................................

15,378.03 911 Tariff - Wireless .................................................... 154,434.10 Wildlife and Parks .......................................................

5,508.45 Federal Withholding ....................................................

0.00 Judgment Fees ...........................................................

24.00 Driver’s Licenses ..........................................................

363.00 Motor Vehicle ................................................................

5,629.50 Vehicle Registration Tax Interest ...................................

1,726.38 Motor Sales Tax ............................................................. 19,255.90 State Withholding ..........................................................

0.00 Total All Funds $ 13,784,600.60 State of Kansas County of Scott I do solemnly swear that the above statement is complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, so help me God. Lark Speer County Treasurer Subscribed to and sworn to before me this 6th day of February 2015 Alice Brokofsky Notary Public

(First published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Feb. 5, 2015; last published Thurs., Feb. 19, 2015)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF: ERICA OLIVIA RODRIGUEZ PETITIONER HOLDING ZEPEDA VASQUEZ RESPONDENT Case No. 14-DM-53 Notice of Suit The State of Kansas to Holding Zepeda Vasquez and all other persons who are or may be concerned:

You are hereby notified that a petition has been filed in Scott County District Court by Erica Olivia Rodriguez praying for Divorce, and you are hereby required to plead to the petition on or before March 2, 2015, in the District Court at Scott City, Kansas. If you fail to plead, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the petition.

Erica Olivia Rodriguez Petitioner Colton D. Eikenberry Attorney at Law 310 Court St., Ste. 8 Scott City, Kansas 67871 (620) 872-0300

Public Notice (First Published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Feb. 12, 2015; last published Thurs., Feb. 19, 2015)2t Results of the Market Study Analysis Scott County Assessments Year 2015 Pursuant to K.S.A. 1995 SUPP. 79-1460a.

A study of the residential real estate market indicated that there was no overall inflationary trend for the 2015 tax year.

A study of the commercial real estate market indicated that the market is stable, but does indicate a general upward or downward trend.

A study of the vacant real estate market indicated that the market is stable with no general upward or downward trend.

Values on specific properties may not follow the general trend because of the changes in the property, corrections of descriptive information or adjustment of value based on sales of similar properties.

Ready (continued from page 10)

J&R Car and Truck Center

As mentioned above, you should review this plan every year. And if problems emerge in any topic area from retirement to health issues, you’ll find guidance throughout the Practical Money Skills for Life website. (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/personalfinance/) Bottom line: Asking older relatives about retirement, estate and long-term care preparations can be an uncomfortable conversation.

Making a plan and initiating early conversations to involve the right people can ease the financial strain and stress on everyone involved.

208 W. 5th St., Scott City 620-872-2103 800-886-2103 Come Grow With Us!

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Kansans qualify for $214 average tax credit with ACA coverage As of this week, 96,226 Kansans enrolled or were automatically re-enrolled for coverage through the health insurance marketplace, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The marketplace offers health insurance plans from private companies for people to choose from. It was created as part of the Affordable Care Act, which also requires most people to have health coverage or pay a penalty.

Nationwide, about 11.4 million people have plans in the marketplace for 2015.

Last year - the first year of enrollment - more than 57,000 Kansans signed up on the marketplace.

This year, 80 percent of Kansas consumers who signed up for coverage by Jan. 30 qualified for an average tax credit of $214 per month, according to the Department of HHS. On average, Kansans had 27 health plan options on the marketplace.

‘Feel Better’ workshop to return in April St. Catherine Hospital is hosting the “Look Good . . .

Feel Better” workshops for area women battling cancer.

The free program, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, National Cosmetology Association and the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, provides a high-quality makeup kit and teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients in active treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.

The second of six workshops will be held on April 20, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Breast Center of at St. Catherine Hospital, 309 E. Walnut. Dates for the remainder of the sessions are June 22, August 17, October 19, and December 7 at the same location.

During each session, trained cosmetologists teach cancer patients how to cope with skin changes and hair loss by using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. The free cosmetic kits are valued at $250 each and are available in light, medium, dark, and extra-dark shades.

Women learn how to disguise hair loss with wigs, scarves, and other accessories, create the impression of having eyebrows or eyelashes, and take care of skin damaged by cancer treatments.

Pre-registration for each class is required by calling 620640-1022. For more information about the American Cancer Society visit cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.

The Scott County Record • Page 12 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Proposal offers financial aid to foster parents who home-school Dave Ranney KHI News Service

A state senator who’s proposing a controversial overhaul of the state’s foster care system has now decided not to propose paying some foster parents “significantly higher” rates if they meet certain conditions, such as being husband and wife and barring tobacco or alcohol from their home.

The Division of the Budget attached a fiscal note to the bill, letting legislators know that federal regulations likely would not allow a two-tier

payment system and the federal government could withhold more than $25 million in foster care support.

Sen. Forrest Knox (R-Altoona) said he would pull the rate-increase section of the bill.

He did not back away from provisions in the bill that establish a new tier of foster parents, called CARE families.

These families would have sole discretion over whether to home-school children in their care and then receive from the state “an amount not to exceed the statewide aver-

age state aid per pupil.”

Currently, the average state aid payment to school districts is $3,838 per student, per school year.

To become a CARE family, foster parents would have to: •Be “a husband and wife team married for at least seven years, in a faithful, loving and caring relationship and with no sexual relations outside of the marriage.”

•Have one parent not be employed outside the home.

•Bar use of tobacco, liquor, beer and illicit drugs in their home.

•Participate in a “social group larger than the family that meets regularly, preferably at least weekly.”

Knox said the social group requirement wasn’t meant to require families to attend church; instead, it’s aimed at guarding against isolation of foster families. By meeting the criteria, CARE families would be subject to less regulation from the state than other foster parents.

Besides Knox, no one else testified for or against the bill.

(See FOSTER on page 13)

Bill would increase nursing home staffing Added cost, lack of employees are biggest issues

by Andy Marso KHI News Service

Advocates for nursing home residents want legislators to mandate that facilities have more and better-trained staff.

Nursing home representatives say they would like to

provide that, but they don’t have the money or the available workforce to do so.

Several members of the House Children and Seniors Committee expressed skepticism Tuesday about a bill that would increase staffing and training requirements at the state’s assisted living facilities.

Kansas Advocates for Better Care has pushed for the measures for several years, saying state averages fall well

short of providing the almost 4.5 hours of daily care per resident that research shows should be the minimum to prevent resident harm.

But potential costs and the shortage of nurses and nurse’s aides to provide the care continue to give legislators pause.

Before the proponents of House Bill 2201 had finished testifying, Rep. Mike Kiegerl, a Republican from Olathe, already said he probably would vote against it.

“With this bill, I think we are asking something that cannot be done,” Kiegerl said.

The bill would require assisted living facilities to post staff-to-resident ratios for each wing and each shift, increase training requirements for staff and mandate that staffing ratios allow for a minimum of four hours and 26 minutes of care each day for each resident.

(See NURSING on page 13)

Kansas veterans praise passage of mental health bill

Two Kansas soldiers treated for post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan say a bill signed this week by President Barack Obama is a good start in preventing veterans’ suicides.

The Clay Hunt SAV Act, signed into law, is named for a Texas Marine Corps veteran who took his life after returning from Afghanistan with PTSD. The bill requires annual independent audits of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mental health system and creates peer support groups and a loan repayment program for psychiatry students who choose to work in the VA system.

Brandon Garrison, a U.S. Army veteran from Leavenworth treated for PTSD after serving multiple deployments in Afghanistan, said the bill provides much-needed oversight for a system in which the auditing has been done internally.

“It takes that responsibility and puts it into someone else’s hands so you don’t have this big cover-up within the VA,” he said.

Garrison said he got to know some of Hunt’s family while he worked with Team Rubicon, a

disaster relief nonprofit founded by Marine veterans. He said the legislation is a fitting tribute.

“I think it’s going to save lives. I really do,” Garrison said.

But he lamented how long it took for VA mental health reforms to be enacted when an average of more than 20 veterans a day were committing suicide in the United States.

Will Stucker, an Army veteran from Kansas who was wounded in Iraq, echoed those sentiments.

“I am glad that the vets today are going to be getting better treatment, but what about those of us that are still being ignored?” asked Stucker, who had served 10 years when he was hurt in 2005. He was deemed too injured to return to the fight but not injured enough to receive military medical retirement, and has since unsuccessfully petitioned for it several times.

He said he saw parallels in the story of Hunt, who was granted only a minimal disability rating despite his PTSD and was shuffled from one medication to another.

“VA and DBH (Division of Behavioral Health) providers are loaded down with too many patients and red tape,” Stucker said.

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The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Medical marijuana for seizures has detractors

Rep. Kevin Jones interrupted Tuesday’s hearing on House Bill 2282 to question a woman sitting in the front row of the gallery holding her young son.

“I hope it’s not too personal,” Jones said. “But did he just have a seizure?”

Kiley Klug, a resident of the small central Kansas town of Odin, nodded.

Jones, a Republican from Wellsville, told her he watched the entire seizure and found it hard to imagine experiencing it firsthand.

Klug’s son Owen experiences multiple seizures per day, every day, despite all traditional medical treatments. They have caused him to have severe developmental problems.

Klug and other family members of children suffering similar issues testified for HB 2282, which would legalize low-THC cannabis oil for treating seizure disorders.

The oil has been legalized recently in other states, including Wisconsin and Missouri, and has shown some promise in reducing some young people’s seizures.

Foster Department for Children and Families Secretary Phyllis Gilmore submitted written testimony in which she said that while “the ideal foster home consists of a married couple,” it’s not always an option.

Many of the bill’s provisions, she said, would need to be “vetted” to guard against violating federal regulations.

Wendy Flickinger, who runs the Family Advisory Council, a Hutchinsonbased program that counsels parents whose children are in foster care,

But it was not restrictive enough for law enforcement and addiction treatment groups that testified in opposition.

“It is not narrowly defined,” said Ed Klumpp, a lobbyist for three police groups. “It is not wellcontrolled.”

The bill would allow Kansans with documented seizure disorders to access cannabis oil if approved by their doctor.

Regulations would stipulate that the plants used to make the oil would have so little THC as to have basically no intoxicating effect.

One proponent compared it to the difference between a full-strength beer and a non-alcoholic beer.

“So if you smoked it like crazy, no effect?” asked Rep. Bud Estes (R-Dodge City).

“Correct,” Wilson said.

Rep. Scott Schwab, a Republican from Olathe, said he had concerns about the practicality of regulating the cannabis grown to produce the oil to ensure it stays below three percent THC. Wilson said the bill would require the plants to be grown at the same site

where the oil is produced and require cultivators to submit their plants to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for regular testing by a third party.

The costs of those tests would be defrayed by a fee assessed on the oil producers.

Rep. Barbara Bollier, a retired physician from Mission Hills, said cannabis oil extract already is used for medications like Marinol that went through the normal U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process.

(continued from page 12)

opposes SB 158. She feels foster homes ought to be exposed to more, rather than less, oversight.

“My concern with this is whether it’s really about doing what’s best for the child,” she said.

“Because if it is, you’d want there to more monitoring of what’s going on in these homes, not less.

And besides, who is it that we think is going to monitor whether somebody is drinking or not drinking?”

Saundra Hiller, executive director with the Kansas Foster and Adoptive Parent

Nursing The current requirement is two hours. Rep. John Wilson, a Democrat from Lawrence who carried the bill, said that’s insufficient.

“That requirement hasn’t changed since I was born - nearly 30 years ago - despite clear evidence that it may be an unsafe level of care,” he said.

Wilson acknowledged that assisted living facilities would have cost concerns, but said the quality care assessment fund, commonly referred to as a “bed tax,” is pulling in millions of federal dollars for the providers that could be used to improve patient care.

Rep. John Wilson (D-Lawrence), who sponsored the bill after meeting one of the families at his church, emphasized one thing to members of the House Health and Human Services Committee.

“I want to stress this bill is wildly different than the two medical marijuana bills in the Legislature right now,” Wilson said.

While other Democrats continue to pursue broad legalization bills that have not advanced in the Republican-dominated Legislature in the past, Wilson’s bill is more narrowly focused.

Association, said she would oppose holding foster parents and CARE families to different sets of standards.

“What Senator Knox is saying is true: Foster parents are held to a higher standard than the rest of society, and there are some people who find that out and decide not to do it,” she said. “But you know what? We should be held to a higher standard, because these are our children.”

The committee is expected to consider SB 158 next week.

(continued from page 12)

Care Association, which represents for-profit assisted living facilities, said her industry already is one of the most regulated and scrutinized.

She said the facilities she represents would like to have the resources to implement the additional hours of care requirement, but most are not in the financial position and in some areas of the state the staff is just not available.

Luxem said a facility in Colby posted an ad for a certified nursing assistant that ran for a year with no qualified takers.

While her organization opposes the mandates in the bill, Luxem said the group agrees with the overall objectives to Long-Term Objective increase staffing and care.

Cindy Luxem, presi“I would like to always dent of the Kansas Health have this as a discussion

every year until we find enough money to make it happen,” Luxem said.

Rachel Monger, director of government affairs for LeadingAge Kansas, provided neutral testimony that outlined many of the same concerns.

“Steep funding barriers and workforce shortages make maintaining staffing rates a constant struggle,” she said. “Workforce challenges are particularly acute for our members in rural areas.”

Monger, whose organization represents nonprofit senior service groups, provided data from the Kansas Department of Labor that showed 545 open positions across the state for registered nurses and 726 open positions for nurse aides.

Recent arrivals at the

Scott County Library

110 W. 8th Street, Scott City http://scottcounty.mykansaslibrary.org

Adultery -by Paulo Coelho- Linda knows

The Carrier -by Sophie Hannah- When Gaby

she’s lucky, yet every morning when she opens

Struther’s plane is delayed, she’s forced to share

her eyes to a so-called new day, she feels like

a hotel room with a stranger named Laure, who is

closing them again. Adultery perfectly illustrates

terrified of her. But why is she scared of Gaby in

the faint line between madness and insanity,

particular? Fiction

happiness and unhappiness as well as the

Forbidden Ground -by Karen Harper- A large

eternal search for our own personal legend.

burial mound sits on the Mason family land, and

Fiction

anthropologist Kate Lockwood wants permission

When Meryl Comer’s husband Harvey Gralnick,

to excavate. Grant Mason refuses and tells Kate

the man who headed hematology and oncology

to stay away from the mound. Kate respects

research at the National Institute of Health was

Grant’s desires until it becomes clear that Grant

diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Comer became an

is hiding something. Fiction

advocate for the need for early diagnosis and

George Harrison: Behind the Locked Door

treatment. Slow Dancing with a Stranger is a

-by Graeme Thomson- This in-depth biography

poignant love story with a powerful message.

tracks Harrison through many changes and

Non-Fiction

conflicts from schoolboy guitarist to global

A Life Intercepted -by Charles Martin- A

superstar, God seeker to independent film-maker,

beautiful story of love, redemption and football.

UNICEF fundraiser and the struggle of a man

A winning combination. Fiction

attempting to walk a spiritual path lined with

Saint Odd -by Dean Koontz- Two years after

temptation. Biography

the cataclysmic events that sent him journeying

Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen,

into the mystery, Odd Thomas travels back to

and How They Can Change Your Life -by

his home town. He has come to save them from

Eric Metaxas- What are miracles, and why do

the full flowering of evil, and for his long awaited

so many people believe in them? What do they

reunion with his lost love Stormy Llewelly.

tell us about ourselves, what do we do with

Fiction

experiences that we cannot explain. Non-Fiction

The Dress Shop of Dreams -by Menna Van

Lost and Found -by Brooke Davis- United at a

Praag- Etta Spark’s cozy dress shop is a

fateful moment, three characters embark upon a

magical place – as anyone who steps inside

road trip. Together they will discover that old age

to glimpse the silks and jewel-hued velvets

is not the same as death, that the young can be

can see. But only Etta knows the dresses are

wise, and that letting yourself feel sad once in a

actually magic. Fiction

while just might be the key to a happy life. Fiction

Hugh Binns, agent 815 W. 5th St., Scott City • Office: 872-2900 Toll Free: 888-872-4070 • Fax: 872-2902 • Cell:874-0041

Pastime at Park Lane The First Baptist Church led Sunday after9 honored with February birthdays The First Christian church hosted the February noon services. birthday party on Wednesday afternoon. Guests of Residents played pitch honor were James Still, Edwin Allen, Arlene Beaand dominoes on Monday ton, Nella Funk, Verene Dearden, Arlene Cauthon, afternoon. Game helpBoots Haxton, Mike Leach and Ruth Goodman. ers were Madeline MurGaree Geist played the piano and held a group phy, Joy Barnett, Dorothy sing-along.

Everyone enjoyed vanilla ice cream King, Wanda Kirk, Hugh topped with cherries.

McDaniel and Mandy Hostesses were Marvel Hopkins-Keyse, MadeBarnett. line Murphy, Patsi Graham, Barbara Dickhut, KarResidents played Wii en Compton, Gertrude Brown and Nola Thornton. bowling on Monday evening.

Residents make Valentine crafts Pastor Bob Artz led The Immanuel Baptiist Church hosted crafts on Bible study on Tuesday Tuesday afternoon. Residents made Valentine inch morning. Doris Riner and worms.

Elsie Nagel led the hymns.

Helpers were Joy Barnett, Jennifer Murphy, Bev Russel and Mary WebNuckolls, Sue Barber, Dana Steffens, Marilyn Mcster led Bible study on Fann and Mandy Barnett. Bev Nuckolls furnished Tuesday evening. Rev. refreshments.

Warren Prochnow led Lutheran services on Wednesday morning. ist Youth group delivered sang on Thursday afterResidents played cards flowers to each resident noon. Singers were Dorothy Milburn, Betty Mast, on Wednesday evening. on Wednesday evening.

The Over 50 Chorus Dora Mae Bowman, The United Method-

Deaths Willis Olen Crowley Willis Olen Crowley, 86, died Feb. 10, 2015, at the Wichita County Health Center LTCU, Leoti.

H e was born on Dec. 22, 1928, at Pagosa Springs, Colo., the son of Asher J. Willis Crowley and Myrtle Emma (Putnam) Crowley. A resident of Wichita County since 1957, moving from Greeley, Colo., he was a cowboy and rancher.

Willis served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Kansas Farm Bureau, Wichita County Amusement Association, Rough Riders Saddle Club and Wichita County Rodeo Association, all of Leoti.

On Sept. 14, 1952, he married Margaret Mabel Bateman at Mansfield, Ill. She survives.

Other survivors include: five daughters, Linda Sanders, and husband, Willard, Scott City, Marilyn Vass, and husband Mac, Thermopolis, Wyo., Carol Laws, and

husband, Terry, Leoti, Sharon Jessen, Spokane, Wash., and Carolie Watkins, and husband, Eddy, Vanderwagen, N.M.; four sons, Alan Crowley, and wife, Kim, Doyline, La., Richard Crowley, Sunray, Tex., Glen Crowley, and wife, Jan, Cabot, Ark., and Mark Crowley, and wife, Raquel, Ellensburg, Wash.; 28 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Doris Crowley; one grandson, Tim Sanders; and one great-granddaughter, Jennifer Emaheizer.

Funeral service will be held Friday, Feb. 20, 2:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church, Leoti, with Rev. Brad Kirk and Elder Terry Laws officiating.

Inurnment will be at the Leoti Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Wichita County Amusement Association in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, 202 N. 4th, Leoti, Ks. 67861.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com.

Sr. citizens lunch menu Week of February 23-27 Monday: Chicken and rice, carrots, broccoli, whole wheat roll, plums.

Tuesday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, three-bean salad, whole wheat roll, strawberries and bananas.

Wednesday: Creamy noodles with ham, green beans, marinated tomato, whole wheat bread, ranger cookies.

Thursday: Mexican chicken, winter mix, tossed salad, applesauce.

Friday: Baked fish fillet, corn, oriental vegetables, whole wheat bread, citrus fruit cup. meals are $3.25 • call 872-3501

The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Neva Jacobus, Charlene Hughes, Lil Francisco, Alice Rennison and Gladys Soodsma. Wanda Wright furnished Valentine refreshments.

Fr. Bernard Felix led Catholic Mass on Friday afternoon.

Strawberry sundaes were served on Friday in honor of Valentines Day. Dottie Fouquet was visited by Jon and Anne Crane.

Pat Lawrence was visited by Marilyn Waters, D’Ann Markel and Mary Berning.

Cecile Billings was visited by Shantel Lobmeyer.

James Still and Mike Leach were visited by Linda Dunagan.

Nella Funk was visited

by Pastor Dennis Carter, Kim Smith and Nancy Holt.

by Jason Storm

Corine Dean was visited by Pastor Dennis Carter, Kim Smith and Nancy Holt.

Emogene Harp was visited by Alicia Harp, Ryan and Reed Harp, Maranda Dawn Barnett, Joy Barnett, Nancy Holt, Alicia Harp and R. Harp.

Lucille Dirks was visited by Mary Ann Unruh, Darla Luebbers, Lorena Turley, and David and Dale Dirks.

Bonnie Pickett was visited by Mary Ann Unruh, Gloria Wright, and Larry and Philene Pickett.

Vivian Kreiser was visited by Sharon Lock.

Lorena Turley was visited by Christine Nichols, Tania Fahring, Neta Wheeler, and Tom and LaCinda Griffin from Loveland, Colo.

Jake Leatherman was visited by Otto Harp.

Visitors of Boots Haxton were Nancy Holt, Tava See, Rod and Kathy Haxton, and Melissa Jasnoch.

LaVera King was visited by Kay and Harrison King, Carol Latham, Tatum and Shanna Wells, and Gloria Gough.

Ann Tedford was visited by Mary Plum.

Lowell Rudolph was visited by LuAnn Buehler, Marci Knobbe, Kathleen Moore and Tom Moore.

Dona Dee Carpenter was visited by Pastor Dennis Carter, Gloria O’Bleness, Larry LaPlant, Gordon and Mary Tempro, and Eugene and Beth Fisher.

Jim Jeffery was visited

by Pastor Dennis Carter.

The Scott County Record • Page 15 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Unemployment won’t impact retirement benefits Q) I was wounded while on military service overseas. What are the benefits for wounded warriors, and how can I apply?

A) Through the Wounded Warrior program, Social Security expedites processing of disability claims of current military service members or veterans disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001.

Also, service members and veterans who have a Veterans Administration compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) may receive expedited processing of applications for Social Security disability benefits.

Keep in mind, this expedited process applies to only the application for benefits. To be eligible for

Social Security Q and A benefits, you must meet Social Security’s strict definition of “disability,” which means: •You must be unable to do substantial work because of your medical condition(s); and •Your medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year or to result in death.

You can apply online at www.socialsecurity. gov/applyfordisability or call the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.

You can find more information for veterans at www.socialsecurity. gov/people/veterans.

Attend the Church of Your Choice

Jesus Wept My friend, Larry, was a very good preacher but because of a speech impediment he struggled with pronunciation. A certain lady in his church criticized and corrected him almost every Sunday as she filed out of worship services. This began to bother Larry, so, he decided to preach a sermon so perfectly that she could find nothing with which to insult him.

He chose the shortest text possible, John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” He practiced every day until he had the message memorized. He was brilliant that Sunday. Sure enough, she just filed by with only a weak handshake.

Larry stopped her and gleefully asked how he did. She turned and looked him in the eye and said, “Your tie is crooked.” It wasn’t Larry’s problem after all.

Larry’s story is fun to share. But I really want to talk about John 11:35. Jesus wept as He stood before the grave of his friend Lazarus. Those who witnessed the scene assumed He was grieving for a beloved friend. A seminary professor of mine insisted that Jesus’ tears were not for Lazarus but for all the spiritual blindness around Him at that moment.

Mary and Martha complained if He had been there their brother would not have died. They believed Jesus could have prevented his death but it didn’t occur to them that Jesus could restore him to life. They believed in the resurrection but they didn’t realize Jesus was the resurrection and the life.

Without Jesus there would be no resurrection or life. There is much more to life than we know in this world and physical death is not the end.

He had been dead four days. Everyone agreed the grave ought not be opened. The odor would be awful. The crowd laughed at Him. Jesus was all alone in His intentions. There wasn’t much faith there on that extraordinary day. Perhaps faith increased when Jesus called Lazarus from the dead.

I agree with what I was taught on this verse of scripture. But I also believe Jesus’ tears were tears of grief for His friends in Bethany. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. What causes us grief causes our Savior grief but with the grief comes comfort from the God of all comfort through Christ Jesus (2Cor.1:3-4).

Jesus is able to help us through the hard times because He has been there. So, if something or someone is giving you grief, remember Larry and read Matthew 11:28.

Pastor Robert Nuckolls Immanuel Southern Baptist Church, Scott City

Scott City Assembly of God

Prairie View Church of the Brethren

1615 South Main - Scott City - 872-2200 Ed Sanderson, Senior Pastor 9:00 a.m. - Pre-Service Prayer 10:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Church Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. - Bible Study and Prayer

4855 Finney-Scott Rd. - Scott City - 276-6481 Pastor Jon Tuttle Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.

Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Men’s Fellowship • Tuesday breakfast at 6:30 a.m.

Held at Precision Ag Bldg. west of Shallow Water Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m., at the church

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

A Catholic Christian Community 1002 S. Main Street - Scott City Fr. Bernard Felix, pastor • 872-7388 Secretary • 872-3644 Masses: 1st Sunday of month - 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Other weekends: Sat., 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m.

Spanish Mass - 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1:30 p.m.

1102 Court • Box 283 • Scott City 620-872-2294 • 620-872-3796 Pastor Warren Prochnow holycross-scott@sbcglobal.net Sunday School/Bible Class, 9:00 a.m.

Worship every Sunday, 10:15 a.m.

Wed.: Mid-Week School, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Pence Community Church

Community Christian Church

8911 W. Road 270 10 miles north on US83; 2 miles north on K95; 9 miles west on Rd. 270 Don Williams, pastor • 874-2031 Wednesdays: supper (6:30 p.m.) • Kid’s Group and Adult Bible Study (7:00 p.m.) • Youth Group (8:00 p.m.)

Sunday School: 9:30 • Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

12th & Jackson • Scott City • 872-3219 Shelby Crawford, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday: God’s High School Cru, 7:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church

Immanuel Southern Baptist Church

803 College - Scott City - 872-2339

1398 S. US83 - Scott City - 872-2264

Kyle Evans, Senior Pastor Bob Artz, Associate Pastor

Robert Nuckolls, pastor - 872-5041

Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. • Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Sunday morning worship: 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.

Gospel Fellowship Church 120 S. Lovers Lane - Shallow Water Larry Taylor, pastor Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

1st United Methodist Church 5th Street and College - Scott City - 872-2401 Dennis Carter, pastor 1st Sunday: Communion and Fellowship Sunday Services at 9:00 a.m. • Sunday School, 10:30 a.m.

All Other Sundays • Worship: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. • MYF (youth groups) on Wednesdays Jr. High: 6:30 p.m. • Sr. High: 7:00 p.m.

First Christian Church

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

701 Main - Scott City - 872-2937 Scotty Wagner, pastor Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday is Family Night Meal: 5:45 p.m. • Study: 6:15 p.m.

Website: www.fccscottcity.org

Elizabeth/Epperson Drives • Scott City • 872-3666 Father Don Martin Holy Eucharist - 11:45 a.m.

St. Luke’s - 872-5734 (recorded message) Senior Warden Bill Lewis • 872-3347 or Father Don Martin - (785) 462-3041

Scott Mennonite Church

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

12021 N. Eagle Rd. • Scott City

9th and Crescent - Scott City - 872-2334 Bishop Irvin Yeager • 620-397-2732 Sacrament, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School, 10:50 a.m.

Relief Society and Priesthood, 11:20 a.m.

YMYW Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.

Franklin Koehn: 872-2048 Charles Nightengale: 872-3056 Sunday School Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.

Moving? Contact The Scott County Record to update your address, so you don’t miss your paper.

P.O. Box 377, Scott City, Ks. 67871 • 620-872-2090 • www.scottcountyrecord.com

The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

171 earn semester honors at SCHS Reserves

There were 171 students named to the first semester honor roll at Scott Community High School. The list includes 40 students on the platinum honor roll with a 4.0 grade point average.

Other honor lists are Gold (3.75-3.99), Silver (3.5-3.74) and Bronze (3.0-3.49).

Honor roll students include: Platinum Honor List Seniors: Macy Davis.

Juniors: Ximena Ayala, Madison Braun, Desirae Honeyfield, Wyatt Kropp, Nicole Latta, Alma Martinez, Shylo McCulloch, Danean Metheney, Addison Price, Megan Smith, Christina Tilton, Kacey Troyer, Jayden Wren.

Sophomores: Krystal Appel, KelsiJo Crouch, Jess Drohman, Elizabeth Eikenberry, Karen Gonzalez, Taylor Goodman, Bo Hess, Matthew Jenkins, Katie Nowak, Clarissa Ratzlaff, Chase Rumford, Kylee Trout, Paige Winderlin, Kiana Yager, Keely Yeager.

Start

Freshmen: Brenda Aguirre, Kayla Appel, Reid Brunswig, Trella Davis, Emily Glenn, Dexter Gooden, Jalynn Habiger, Conner LeBeau, Abbigail Prochnow, Emily Smith, Makaela Stevens.

Gold Honor List Seniors: Emily Buxton, Miguel Chavez, Marshal Hutchins, Hayden Webster, Chantz Yager.

Juniors: Alexandra Castillo, Asher Huck, Zayra Pergrino-Gonzalez, Melanie Tilton.

Sophomores: Judith Gutierrez, Carson Haupt, Trace Mulligan, Elaine Parkinson, Emma Price, Edward Tilton, Joshua Walter.

Freshmen: Chelsea Amerine, Jade Heim, Jynessa Horney, Dallie Metheney, Selena Oronia, Savanna Osthoff, Pierre Portes, Ashley Prewit, Adrian Ruelas.

Silver Honor List Seniors: Sloan Baker, Hunter Braun, Kambra Dearden, Wyatt Eitel, Jami Emahizer, Lane Hayes, James Jurgens, Elizabeth

Parkinson, James Slater, Brianna Smull, Daniel Varela, Jaylee York.

Juniors: Dylan Hutchins, Cayleigh Ramsey, Abram Wiebe, Kaely Zilla.

Sophomores: Macy Berning, Alysan Buehler, Kyle Cure, Mikennon Donovan, Paige Eggleston, Justin Faurot, Delaney Kitch, Hayden Nevills, Camryn Patton, Rebecca Rebarchek, Tyler Vondracek, Nancy Wiebe.

Freshmen: Erika Blanco, Gabriela LopezReyes, Zoey Majors, Katie McGonagle, Kaitlyn Roberts.

Bronze Honor List Seniors: Chelsea Barnhart, Coby Belt, Treyston Buffington, Brooke Dillinger, Kristi Faurot, Ethan Ford, Wesley Hemel, Briana Hutton, Hugo Martinez, Brett Meyer, Anna Miller, Quentin Morris, Elizabeth Murrary, Peter Nguyen, Trey O’Neil, Sergio Peregrino, Reagan Smyth.

Juniors: Joshua Becker, Mariah Campbell, Dayra Castillo-Morales,

(continued from page nine)

the SCHS principal, is to “do what’s best for our students and their education.”

“We have students who are working until 10:00.

This would be a way of helping them,” said Turn-

er. “I would hope that this would improve attendance, that the number of tardies would be reduced and that it would cut down on the number of students on our (academically) ineligible list.”

Students would also have the option of enrolling in all eight hours and picking up additional classes or electives. For those students the full day would begin at 7:45 a.m. and last until 4:15 p.m.

Reid Flower, Cooper Griffith, Amanda Kough, Irvin Lozano, Drake McRae, Madison Orr, Nicholas Storm.

Sophomores: Kevin Aguilera, Haley Allen,Makayla Amerine, Stephanie Banda, Drew Duff, Jennie Erven, Isaac Evans, Taylor Fairleigh, Diana Garcia-Luevano, Karen Hermosillo, Esmeralda Hernandez, Chandler Janssen, Chance Jones, Jacob Karnaze, Karlee Logan, Kaylene McGonagle, Andres Perez, Ashley Rosas, Brandi Shearmire, Brynan Sherwood, Ali Tarman, Ethan Wright.

Freshmen: Melisa Alfonso, Sahil Anil, Katie Jo Brown, Zachariah Carson, Gracy Chambless, Nicholas Cheney, Robert Cummins, Kolby Farr, Cheyanne Foster, Mya Foster, Kevin Herndon, Irwin Porter, Jarret Jurgens, Bailey Latta, Lacy Lowe, Jordan Miller, Makenzie Morris, Felix Nolasco, Olivia Prieto, Trevor Roberts, Baron Strine, Luis Torres, Austen Turner, Agustin Tzunux-Ramos.

(continued from page nine)

Districts are hesitant to tap their reserve funds to make up for Brownback’s reduction because they’re unsure whether future reductions may be on the way.

Brownback’s cut came after the state missed revenue expectations by $47 million in January.

“We don’t know that this is the bottom yet,” Gjerstad said.

Dave Trabert, president of the Kansas Policy Institute, a right-wing think tank funded by the Koch brothers, suggested that if districts don’t voluntarily use reserves, then lawmakers ought to consider legislation that compels districts to use them. He said that increases in reserve funds - apart from contingency funds - year to year should be deducted from districts’ state aid the following year.

Rainy Day Fund Rep. Melissa Rooker (R-Fairway) said that districts shouldn’t have to pay for daily operating expenses with reserves.

“We talk and talk and talk about running our schools more like a business, running our government more like a business. You keep money in reserves to protect for a rainy day,” Rooker said, noting that the state has spent down its reserves in the past year.

“Why in heaven’s name would we want to take that away from school districts and not give them a cushion to protect them?” she said.

USD 466 Lunch Menu

Week of February 23-27 Monday: Popcorn chicken, *ravioli, tri-tator, pork-n-beans, dinner roll, mixed fruit.

Tuesday: Chicken strips, *steak fingers, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, dinner roll, strawberries and pears.

Wednesday: Mighty rib on a bun, *pigs in a blanket, seasoned potato wedges, corn, banana, Thursday: Egg rolls, *burrito, fried rice, capri“That was one of the blend, pineapple rings. first things I had students Friday: Cheese quesadilla, *fish sticks, brocasking me,” said Turner. coli, pears.

“It would be like hav*second choice at SCMS and SCHS ing a zero hour,” said board member Chris Friendship ‘Meals to Go’ available from the VIP Center Price. “That would be Individual frozen/sealed trays • Good for special diets the biggest advantage of only $3.25/meal • Call 872-3501 doing this.”

Vote

Wernecke for

Scott City Council Ward 4 Smart Growth, Smart Spending,

New Results!

Wesley Wernecke

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Quality and Affordable Housing

•

Small and Local Business Development

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Government Transparency

•

Constituent Services

Phone: 785-829-7616 • Email: info@wesleyforourcity.com • Web: www.wesleyforourcity.com (Pol. adv. paid for for by the candidate)

Sports The Scott County Record

Tourney champs Young Scott City girl’s squad finishes off unbeaten season • Page 22

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Page 17

Road to state won’t be easy for SC grapplers Stacked weight divisions await in 3-2-1A regional field The road to the state wrestling tournament isn’t supposed to be easy.

When that road goes through the northwest Kansas regional, it is even more difficult. Scott Community High School wrestlers will be traveling to Norton this Friday and Saturday for Class 3-2-1A regional action.

3-2-1A Regional at Norton Friday: 2:00 p.m. start Saturday: 11:00 a.m. start Teams: Atwood, Belleville-Republic County, Cimarron, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Ingalls, Lakin, Leoti, Montezuma-South Gray, Norton, Oakley, Oberlin, Palco, Phillipsburg, Plainville, Scott City, Smith Center, St. Francis, Stockton, Sublette, Tribune, WaKeeney

A more experienced squad is expecting a much better result than a year ago when they sent just two wrestlers to the Class 4A tournament. As many as six or seven Beavers have a very good chance of advancing

Beavers move into No. 1 spot in 3A sub-state

to the state tournament in Hays, but there are no guarantees.

In fact, a couple of weight classes are going to be particularly brutal with the possibility of state-ranked wrestlers not even advancing beyond this weekend.

“It’s a pretty typical northwest regional. When it’s all over some good boys are going to be staying home,” notes SCHS head coach Jon Lippelmann. “There are three, maybe four, weight classes, that have four ranked kids. It’s going to be pretty tough for someone to squeeze past one of them for a trip to state.”

SCHS will be involved in the mix in three of those loaded weight divisions at 106, 138 and 215 pounds.

Junior Zach Tucker (298), ranked No. 6 in state at 106-pounds, is among four stateranked grapplers in his division.

Of the three ranked above him, he has defeated Oakley’s Estin Slack (No. 4) once out of three times they have met this season.

Senior James Jurgens (277), a three-time state qualifier, is the No. 5 ranked wrestler at 138-pounds. That’s not likely to earn him better than a number-four seed in a regional field that includes top-ranked Caleb

Austin (Tribune), No. 2 ranked Brandon Ball (Hoisington) and No. 4 ranked Dalton Hensley (Ellis).

Ball, a three-time state champion, was handed the first loss of his career by Austin in the Phillipsburg tournament two weeks ago.

The 220-pound division includes the state’s No. 2 through No. 5 ranked wrestlers with Scott City’s Wyatt Eitel on the outside looking in. He will have to defeat at least one of those ranked opponents in order to finish among the top four and earn a trip to state.

(See REGIONAL on page 18)

Bo knows hoops

The SCHS boys knew that Tuesday’s game against Holcomb wasn’t just for a possible share of the Great West Activities Conference title. A win would keep them in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the Class 3A sub-state tournament at Beloit.

Scott City (17-1) is now in control of their own destiny in securing the top seed after Beloit (16-2) was defeated

by Salina-Sacred Heart (61-47) on Tuesday night for the second time in three weeks.

If SCHS finishes off the season with wins at Ulysses on Friday and against Goodland on the home floor Tuesday they will get the No. 1 seed.

Beloit and Norton (16-2) are currently tied for the No. 2 spot. Norton’s only two losses have come against Hays-TMP. Beloit’s remaining games are against Minneapolis (12-5) and Smith Center (5-12). Norton’s final two opponents are Ellis (13-5) and Hill City (12-5).

Minneapolis, which is coached by SCHS graduate Alex Hutchins, is currently the tournament’s No. 4 seed.

If the standings remain unchanged, Scott City’s first round opponent on the home floor will be Russell (2-16).

The tournament’s official seedings and schedule will be announced on Feb. 25. First round action will begin Tues., March 3, with the semi-finals on March 6.

This is what high school sports is about If you love high school sports and you Rod enjoy watch- Haxton, ing the best of sports editor the best compete, then the Scott Community High School gym was the place to be on Tuesday.

It was Scott City and Holcomb - one of the hottest rivalries in Western Kansas. And if that wasn’t enough, both teams entered the game as the No. 1 ranked teams in their respective divisions and with a total of one loss between them (Holcomb’s win over the Beavers in early January).

The atmosphere was what you’d expect from a game of this magnitude. So was the noise.

“I have a voice that carries pretty well and the boys couldn’t hear me from this far away,” noted boy’s assistant Brian Gentry, showing a distance of about eight feet.

And when Sloan Baker skied above the rim to tip in a shot that was still bouncing around (a basket that was erased by the officials for goal tending) the Big House was a rockin’.

“The student section was going nuts,” said Gentry with a grin. “It was fun to watch.”

(See SPORTS on page 20)

Scott City senior Trey O’Neil is fouled by Holcomb’s Christian Merz as he attempts a layin during the second half of Tuesday’s GWAC game. The win by SCHS currently puts them in a tie with the Longhorns for the league title.

(Record Photo)

Beavers end Horns’ quest for perfection Bo knows basketball and on Tuesday evening Bo showed he knows how to score.

Scott Community High School sophomore Bo Hess poured in a career high 16 points Holcomb 64 Scott City 75 and the Beavers (17-1) knocked off previously undefeated Holcomb, 75-64, in a battle of No. 1 ranked teams - Scott City in Class 3A and Holcomb (17-1) in Class 4A-Division II. Scott City’s big three of Trey O’Neil, Brett Meyer and Sloan Baker were expected to attract a lot of attention from the Longhorns’ defense - and they did - which set the stage for Hess.

“The last time we played them they

played pretty loose on me and they did the same thing tonight. I guess they weren’t too worried about me scoring,” says Hess who averaged just 4.4 points per game prior to Tuesday. “Brett and Trey made some passes to me and I was able to finish those for a couple of early baskets and that gave me some confidence.

“I knew they were going to concentrate a lot on Trey and Brett and that might open things up for me. Coach (Glenn O’Neil) has been telling me I need to shoot more and tonight I did.”

“Bo spends a lot of time working on his shot after practice,” added Coach O’Neil. “We told him he needs to play like he does on Sundays and in practice and he took us up on that.”

Playing in front of a packed house in the SCHS gym, both teams exchanged blows early. Holcomb’s biggest lead was 8-4 midway into the first quarter, but that advantage was short-lived.

Hess’s second basket of the night gave SCHS a 16-15 lead early in the second period and the Beavers never trailed again.

Both teams traded baskets before a three-pointer by senior guard Trey O’Neil at the 5:32 mark kicked off a 7-0 mini-run by Scott City. Senior guard Chantz Yager followed with a steal and layup and Hess dropped in another basket - all in a 40 second span - that stretched the lead to 26-19 with 4:52 remaining in the half.

(See SC BOYS on page 22)

Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland

Georgia cubes to attract fish Ask any knowledgeable fisherman why they fish precisely where they do and their explanation will likely include the presence of some sort of underwater structure at their favorite honey holes.

Fish are drawn to underwater structures for both security and for the smaller baitfish it also attracts. This structure can be as elaborate and extensive as sunken Christmas trees, underwater trees and brush piles or something as mundane as tree stumps and old building foundations.

Traditionally Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) biologists have used trees to make manmade brush piles, but this year they will begin a new program that uses a new and very different product to create additional fish attracting structures in Kansas lakes.

Developed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and known as Georgia Cubes, each structure is a square frame made from PVC pipe upon which plastic corrugated drain pipe is fastened.

A three-foot square “cube” is made from 1-1/2 inch PVC pipe.

Before the top pipes are put onto the cube, about 16 pounds of gravel is poured into the open pipes, making the cube heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the lake and stay where it’s put.

Before the top framework is added, holes are drilled in pieces of four inch plastic, corrugated drain pipe (like you would bury around your house for drainage) and pieces are slipped down over the upright pipes until a total of about 50 feet is added.

The plastic drain pipe adds additional surface area to help attract fish, yet keeps (See CUBES on page 21)

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Fourth quarter lead slips away from SC in loss to Eagles When Scott City grabbed a three point lead early in the fourth quarter against Colby it appeared they just might be able to get a win over their longtime rival.

Instead, the Lady Beavers fell silent Scott City 24 Colby 35 on offense over the final six minutes as Colby escaped with a 34-25 win in Great West Activities Conference play last Friday.

“We realized the situation in the fourth quarter and we panicked,” says head coach Shelby Crawford. “We began making mental mistakes that we hadn’t made the whole game.

“When you haven’t been in that situation very often it’s hard for the girls to know how they’re supposed to handle it.”

What ultimately cost SCHS a chance at the win was a 5-of-21 night at the free throw line, including just 1-of-10 in the final period.”

“If we make just 50 percent of our free throws then we win,” Crawford says. “We aren’t in a position where we have to foul late in the game and giving them free throws.”

Scott City trailed just

21-20 after three quaters, but opened up a 24-21 lead following baskets by Bailey Latta and Taylor Goodman.

While Scott City was struggling at the charity stripe in the final period, Colby was 11-of-15.

B. Latta finished with nine points while Samantha Garcia added five.

A key to keeping Scott City in the game was the defensive play of sophomore Taylor Goodman who was responsible for guarding Colby’s leading scorer, Brenly Terrell, in a box-and-one.

“Taylor did a great job.

She had Terrell really frustrated,” says Crawford, who noted that the Colby player even drew a technical foul in the final period.

Terrell was limited to just six points.

“And the girls behind her did their job defensively,” says Crawford.

Holcomb Pulls Away SCHS was able to keep pace with Holcomb in the first half of Tuesday’s GWAC before the Lady Longhorns pulled away for a 57-31 win.

A 7-0 Scott City scoring run late in the first half, including back-toback treys from freshmen guards Kaitlyn Roberts and Jordan Miller cut the halftime deficit to 26-22.

Regional “Wyatt’s had an outstanding year and he’s really shown a lot of improvement since the start of the season,” says Lippelmann. “He’s got a very good chance of qualifying for state. He’s given a couple of these boys pretty good matches earlier in the year.”

Eitel (18-12) has lost twice to Oakley’s Dylan Gassman (No. 3 ranked), by 7-3 and 7-4 decisions.

He also dropped a 6-3 decision to Norton’s Jacob Green (No. 4 ranked).

Joining Tucker and Jurgens as the only SCHS wrestler in the state rankings is 195-pound junior Cooper Griffith (26-2)

SCHS junior Nicole Latta drives to the basket during Tuesday’s action on the home floor against Holcomb.

(Record Photo)

“At halftime we were in a situation that, to be honest, was kind of surprising. The girls stepped up and they relied on the offense more in the first half,” says Crawford. “In the first half we moved the ball by passing and in the second half by dribbling and we don’t have strong dribblers.

That’s why we want to space the floor and have good rotations. In the first

half we did that. We were moving the ball quicker, we were in rhythm, the girls caught the ball in good balance and we were able to make some shots.”

In the second half, says the head coach, they returned to some old habits and “we had a couple of girls who were trying to do too much.”

B. Latta and Nicole Latta each finished with eight points.

“The girls played with some intensity, which we’ve seen the last few games. That’s why we’ve been playing better and the games have been more fun,” Crawford added.

“We’re not at the level of Holcomb and Colby in terms of our experience and talent, so we have to outwork people and we need it from all five girls on the floor.”

“A big mistake can end your season.”

If Lippelmann and his coaches can keep those mistakes to a minimum, the Beavers have hopes of slipping six to eight wrestlers through the regional field.

In addition to Tucker, James Jurgens, Griffith and Eitel, the coaches are eyeing prospects at 132 (Jarret Jurgens), 160 (Wyatt Kropp), 170 (Abe Wiebe), 182 (Tre Stewart) and 285 (Lane Hayes).

Of those, Jarret Jurgens (16-7) has the toughest road with three stateranked wrestlers (Nos. 1, 2 and 4) in this regional.

Kropp (26-9), a junior, has just one state-ranked opponent (Shelton McCain, Atwood, No. 5) in his division. The same is true for Wiebe (20-16) and Stewart (14-12).

“They all have a chance of coming out of this regional,” says Lippelmann.

“There will be some very good wrestlers here, but no one that’s untouchable.

If they wrestle like they’re capable there’s no reason they can’t stick around for another week.”

Perhaps having the clearest path to a top four finish is Hayes (24-12) who has no one in his division that’s ranked among the top six in state.

(continued from page 17)

who has climbed into the No. 4 spot. The only other state-ranked wrestler in that weight division in the Norton field is Oberlin senior Rex Diederich (No. 2 ranked).

Griffith’s only two losses have come outside the 3-2-1A ranks, one loss coming in a dual with Dodge City and the other against Newton’s Jared Langley, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in Class 5A. ‘Lot of Unknowns’ As with any regional tournament there are going to be a “lot of unknowns,” says Lippelmann.

“There are going to be some boys we haven’t seen before. You hear a little about their reputation and you see their records, but we don’t know what to expect from them on the mat,” says the head coach.

Perhaps the bigger factor for the Beavers will be consistency.

“We have several boys who have moments when they can look almost unbeatable and turn right around in the next moment and give up a move that puts them to their back or costs them points.

We can’t put ourselves in that situation this weekend,” says Lippelmann.

The Scott County Record • Page 19 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Near perfect quarter gets SC off to fast start over Horns Brian Gentry has never seen a perfect basketball game and doesn’t expect to.

But for about eight minutes, his junior varHolcomb 38 sity boys were Scott City 47 nearly flawless in Tuesday’s 47-38 home win against Holcomb.

“The first quarter wasn’t perfect, but it was close, offensively and defensively,” says Gentry after his team jumped out to a 16-2 lead.

SCHS (11-4) led 13-0 before Holcomb finally scored their first basket of the game with just 49 seconds remaining.

Sophomore guard Justin Faurot scored all eight of his points in the opening frame, including a pair of treys while sophomore center Kyle Cure accounted for the other eight points.

“We’re seeing Kyle become more assertive on offense, which he needs to be,” says Gentry. “When he caught the ball inside he was looking to score. That opens things up for the other guys on the floor.”

Perfect - and even near-perfection - can be fleeting.

“As good as we looked in the first quarter we looked nearly that bad in the second,” Gentry says. “We started playing at a faster pace than is comfortable for us and it took us out of our offense.”

While the offense was on hold for a quarter, the defense was more than enough to keep Holcomb from taking advantage. Scott City held a 21-9 lead at the half and extended that to 35-19 after three quarters.

In the first game between the two teams in early January, which Holcomb won, they had success getting the ball into the post. The Beavers were much more effective at denying the interior pass in their two wins since.

Scott City’s backside defense not only helped to keep Holcomb from getting the ball inside, but they also forced several turnovers.

“I felt the boys played real good position defense which makes up for our lack of size,” Gentry says.

The 16 point lead entering the final period soon began to disappear behind some hot shooting from the Longhorns who were able to knock down five treys in the span of 5-1/2 minutes. Following a pair of free throws with 1:31 left in the game, Holcomb was down by

Beavers in cruise control over Eagles

Scott City didn’t expect to have any trouble getting past Colby on Friday and the game lived up to those expectations.

The SCHS boys pounced on the Eagles for a 20-6 first quarter lead and cruised to an 80-29 road win in Great West Activities Conference action.

Scott City’s 20 point outburst in the opening period was just a warm-up. The offensive juggernaut ripped the nets for 27 points in the second period and poured in another 29 in the third quarter, opening up a 76-29 lead before the running clock took effect.

The Beavers (16-1) felt right at home beyond the three-point line where they were 14-of-28.

Senior guard Trey O’Neil led five players in double figures with 20 points, including 5-of9 from beyond the three-point arc. He also handed out six assists and had a game high seven steals.

Sloan Baker added 16 points and six rebounds.

Senior guard Brett Meyer, who was 3-of-6 from threepoint range, added 13 points and a team high seven assists.

Senior guard Chantz Yager, who was a perfect 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, collected 13 points to go along with five steals and three rebounds.

Junior guard Dylan Hutchins also had the hot touch from long-range, hitting 4-of-6 threepoint baskets to finish with 12 points.

The stat line was impressive all the way around for the Beavers who had 23 steals, 22 assists and 14 offensive rebounds.

County Plat Maps By

Western Cartographers Available:

SCHS sophomore guard Jess Drohman finishes off a drive to the basket with a layin during second half action against Holcomb on Tuesday night.

(Record Photo)

just three points, 41-38.

“When a team is down by double-digits in the fourth quarter you know they’re going to get a lot more aggressive on defense, plus we did a poor job of matching up in transition which left them open for some threes,” Gentry says. “We made some mental mistakes which allowed them to get back into the game.”

Sophomore guard Jess Drohman ended Holcomb’s 10-0 scoring run with a pair of free throws. The Beavers were then able to make a couple of defensive stops, including a steal by Drake McRae, that led

SCHS finished out the game by outscoring Colby 38-11 in the second half.

SCHS drilled three treys in the opening period - two by sophomore guard Dylan Duff and finished the night with six baskets from long-range.

Cure, who was 5-of-6 at the free throw line, finished with a game high 15 points. Three other Beavers joined him in double figures, including Drohman (12), Faurot (10) and Jenkins Pound Colby The Beavers opened up a (10).

Scott City was nearly perfect 27-0 first quarter lead on their way to a 74-19 win at Colby last from the charity stripe, hitting 20-of-23 attempts.

Friday. to back-to-back trips to the free throw line by sophomore guard Matthew Jenkins who collected the game’s final four points.

Jenkins scored all eight of his points in the final period.

Cure finished with a team high 12 points while Dylan Hutchins and McRae each added six.

SCHS was 10-of-10 at the charity stripe for the game.

Scott Ness Gove Lane Logan Finney Wichita Wallace Greeley Kearney

Pick them up today at:

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Faurot pours in 19 to lead 8th grade Jays over Goodland

Hurt may be key to K-State’s post-season

Scott City relied on defensive pressure in the second half to blow away Goodland, 54-30, in eighth grade action.

The Bluejays held only a 16-10 lead late in the first half before putting together a 14-0 scoring run that carried over into the third period.

Marshall Faurot, who finished with a game high 19 points, hit a basket at the 2:14 mark in the third quarter that put SCMS on top, 30-13.

Scott City added a 12-4 scoring blitz to start the final period which opened up their largest lead of the game, 45-20.

Jack Thomas was also in double figures with 10 points - all in the first half - and Jaren Berning added eight.

In the “B” team game, Scott City rolled to a 38-24 win. SCMS got off to a slow start, training 5-4 after one quarter before outscoring Goodland 20-5 during the next two periods.

Shea Morris led the team with 10 points and Jordan Smith added eight.

Kansas State’s upset Oklahoma made KU’s path to the Big 12 title room easier. by Center SteMac phen Hurt Stevenson came off the bench and sparked the Wildcats, playing his best game of the season. Hurt displayed aggressiveness and quickness and his defensive play around the basket and offensive rebounding turned the game.

K-State’s big center is improving fast and Coach Bruce Weber needs to find more playing time for him.

From here it looks like Hurt could propel the Wildcats to a superb finish and a possible berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Spring Training Spring training in Arizona began Feb. 19 for the Kansas City Royals’ catchers and pitchers. The entire team begins spring practice on February 25.

Last season’s sensational finish and the World Series has raised everyone’s expectations.

KC’s fans may need some of the same patience they displayed last season, but the feeling here is that the Royals will start fast this year. Confidence is a vital asset in any endeavor.

Kansas City has evolved into a team that is young, experienced and confident.

The defense will be superb, the bullpen is set, and the hitters should be much improved over last season.

That brings us to the starting pitchers - the most important unit on the team with the bullpen a close second.

Manager Ned Yost and the front office have declared the starting rotation is set. Nevertheless, it’s more than likely to change significantly during the season. It includes Danny Duffy (9-12, 2.53), Jeremy Guthrie (13-11, 4.13), Jason Vargas (11-10, 3.71),Yordano Ventura (14-10, 3.20) and Edinson Volquez (13-7, 3.04).

KC’s starting rotation appears to be fairly solid.

However, pitching ability can vary wildly from one year to the next.

(See HURT on page 23)

SCMS eighth grader Marshall Faurot puts up a jumper between two Goodland defenders during a 54-30 win on the home floor.

(Record Photo)

Sports Fun to coach and great to have behind us.

“I told (Holcomb head) coach (Chad) Nowak that this was a fun game to look forward to, but even a better game to have behind us knowing that we don’t have to worry about each other any more,” said SCHS head coach Glenn O’Neil.

Since both teams are in different classifications, they will go their separate ways for substate action.

More Than Sports What fans saw the other night was more than a great basketball game. They saw a spectacle that brought together fans not just from Scott City and Holcomb, but Dighton, Leoti, Healy, Lakin and Garden City.

7th Graders Romp Scott City’s seventh grade “A” team ripped Goodland, 53-8 on the home floor Monday.

They were on top 20-3 at halftime.

Sterling Wright and Brandon Winderlin led the Bluejays with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Hunter Yager added 10 and Parker Gooden had nine.

Goodland rallied in the final period to defeat the seventh grade “B” team, 19-18. SCMS held a 14-12 lead after three quarters.

V. Martinez led the team with eight points.

(continued from page 17)

Other than graduation, nothing else will bring so many people together in the SCHS gym - or any gymnasium for that matter - like sports.

We witnessed the same kind of community excitement in Hoxie only a few days earlier when they hosted Dighton. It was standing room only and the atmosphere was great, regardless of who you were there to watch.

There’s no place that we would have rather been on Tuesday night and there were several hundred fans who would agree.

That said, imagine what it would have been like if the gym had been empty on Tuesday . . . if there had been no game. Imagine that same scenario across rural Kansas.

There are Kansas lawmakers who see no value in sports

or other extra-curricular activities - at least not enough value that they should have to provide any money. As these lawmakers continue to slice and dice the state budget and take more money from education, schools are faced with tougher decisions.

With increasing pressure on the state budget, lawmakers will argue that the state’s responsibility is limited to funding the “core curriculum,” which doesn’t include extracurricular activities.

Everyone realizes that classroom instruction is a school’s No. 1 priority. But it’s impossible to separate the value of what happens in the classroom from what happens on the theatrical stage, the debate podium or the sports arena.

When lawmakers continue to put the financial squeeze on

schools, they are also making decisions that impact the social fabric of a community.

The pride, the excitement, the teamwork and the heartbreak that was evident on Tuesday can’t be duplicated in a book and it’s far better than anything on the TV screen.

Those who attended the SCHS/ Holcomb game understand.

Maybe Kansas lawmakers need to visit a gym in their home town on some Tuesday or Friday night. It might be a good reminder of what a sense of community is all about and the role that schools have in making that possible.

We’d advise them to do it fairly soon. At the rate lawmakers are going, those opportunities will start slipping away . . . along with crowded gyms on the Kansas landscape.

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Gunsmoke Nationals runner-up

Members of the Takedown Kids Wrestling Club of Scott City competed in the Gunsmoke Nationals held in Dodge City which included wrestling clubs from throughout the Midwest. The Takedown Club finished second in the team standings.

Taking part in the tournament and their individual finishes were (front row, from left) Trenton Frank (1st), Matthew Wheeler (2nd), Conner Armendariz (1st) and Collin McDaniel (3rd). (Middle row) Loren Faurot (3rd), Jarron Gregory (1st), Lance Miller (2nd), Kale Wheeler (4th) and Zachary Rohrbough (3rd). (Back row) Caleb VanDergrift (6th), Wyatt Hayes (1st), Justin Hundertmark (4th), Cale Goodman (2nd), Jordan Wagner, Justus McDaniel (1st), Kaden Wren (3rd) and Theron Tucker (3rd).

(Record Photo)

NWKL still belongs to the Indians Dighton girls unable to end Hoxie’s dominance If there has been any team in the Northwest Kansas League that has been a threat to Hoxie’s dominance on the basketball court it has been the Dighton girls.

T h e L a d y Indians (18-0), however, showed Dighton 40 why they Hoxie 66 are the three-time defending state champions currently riding an 88 game win streak when they sealed up another NWKL regular season title with a 66-40 win on the home floor Friday.

A huge crowd anticipated an exciting game between the top two teams in the league and they got what they expected for the first 6-1/2 minutes.

Dighton (13-4) led 7-4 following a three-point play by sophomore center Jordan Speer and they led a final time, 9-8, after another basket by Speer.

Sophomore guard Sara Cramer tied the game at 11-11, but when she picked up her second foul with 1:34 left in the

first period and had to go to the bench, the game’s momentum took a sudden shift. With Dighton’s point guard on the sideline, Hoxie immediately applied full-court pressure that allowed them to close out the quarter with an 8-0 scoring run.

“Give Coach (Shelly) Hoyt credit for recognizing the situation and bringing the pressure right away. I’d have put more pressure on us too with Sara out of the game,” says Felker.

“We panicked and made a couple of mistakes and things got away from us.”

Trailing by 10 late in the first half, Dighton closed with a 5-0 scoring burst that cut the halftime deficit to 25-20.

“All things considered, I was happy to be down only five points,” Felker says.

However, the Lady Hornets were unable to carry that momentum into the second half. Hoxie opened the third period with a 10-2 scoring run and added another 10-0 burst that ended early in the fourth quarter with a

Dighton sophomore Jordan Speer shoots over a Hoxie defender during Friday’s league contest.

(Record Photo)

48-24 lead.

“When they turned a couple of turnovers into easy baskets you could see us dropping our heads,” says the Dighton head coach. “You can’t do that against a team as good as Hoxie. When they sense that you’re getting

down on yourself a little that only motives them to put the game away.”

Speer had a huge night with 22 points on 8-of-12 from the field. She completed a double-double with 11 rebounds.

However, guards Cramer and Kiara Budd were

each limited to six points.

“Our guards just can’t match up with their size,” said a frustrated Dighton head coach Amy Felker following her team’s second loss of the season to Hoxie. “It’s not a lack of effort. Hoxie is a very, very good team.”

The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Hornets may finally be getting respect Dighton High School head coach Dean Cramer likes to motivate his boy’s squad by saying teams still don’t respect them.

That may be getting a little harder to say afDighton 52 ter the Tribune 26 Hornets, in back-to-back games, knocked off the teams that finished first and second in the Northwest Kansas

League tournament.

Following up their road win against Hoxie on Friday, Dighton hit the road again for a convincing 52-26 win at Tribune on Tuesday.

“I was pleasantly shocked at the final margin,” says Cramer after Tribune had defeated DHS in the NWKL tournament, 55-27.

Since the league tournament, Dighton (11-7) has reeled off six consecutive wins.

“I told them that people still don’t respect us yet.

I challenged the boys to prove that Hoxie wasn’t a fluke - that we were here to play ball,” Cramer said.

A point of emphasis entering Tuesday’s game, says Cramer, was improved defensive play.

After taking a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Hornets allowed Tribune to score a total of just six points in the second and fourth quarters combined.

“They didn’t shoot well. Hopefully, we had something to do with that,” says Cramer.

The key to good defense, says the head coach, is finding the right matchups.

“We have good athletes, but we’re limited in size,” he notes. “We have to find the right matchup that plays to our strengths.

“Some kids we play against would rather drive than shoot from the out-

side, and vice-versa. Recognizing these matchups is important. That’s what we did against Hoxie and again with Tribune.

“I felt we took (Tribune) out of what they feel comfortable doing on offense.”

Dighton got another strong scoring night from sophomore Tyler Lingg (17 points, 14 rebounds) and freshman guard Jordan Horn (15 points).

“Horn is playing within himself, running the of-

fense and taking the open shots,” says Cramer. “And he’s playing good defense.”

This was Lingg’s fifth consecutive game with a double-double.

“Tyler was spent by the end of the game. He was battling for every rebound. We expect a lot out of him,” Cramer says.

“People are trying to figure a way to stop him, but he’s very versatile.

(See RESPECT on page 24)

SC 5th graders are traveling league champs Scott City’s fifth grade traveling basketball team had the perfect finish to a perfect season, winning the league tournament on the home floor Saturday.

Scott City (6-0) entered the tournament with a perfect regular season and kept that record intact with wins over Gray County (15-12) and Sublette (207).

Having earned a bye in the opening round, Scott City’s first game was in the semi-finals against Gray County and it proved to be their toughest contest. They trailed 6-5 at halftime before their defense took over in the third period, limiting Gray County to a single free throw.

Brooklynne Zielke’s basket to open the second half gave Scott City the lead and they never trailed again.

Kennedy Holstein, who finished with a team high six points, hit two baskets in the third quarter. Her fastbreak layup put Scott City on top, 11-7.

Kennedy Holstein (right) battles for a rebound during the semi-final win over Gray County.

(Record Photo)

Ella Rumford added the first of her two baskets late in the period that gave Scott City a 13-7 cushion.

Rumford added another field goal in the fourth quarter for a 15-9 advan-

SC Boys Coach O’Neil felt his team was able to pick up the tempo in the second quarter which allowed the Beavers to run the floor more.

“The last time we played, the two teams combined for nine turnovers so we wanted to speed up the action a little bit,” says O’Neil. “We wanted to get out and go.

We know how good they are on the boards. It was our goal to kick it out and run and that led to a lot of transition points early.”

The transition game, agreed Baker, was a point of emphasis heading into the game.

“Coach mentioned that in practice again (Monday). He felt we played really slow in the last game and we needed to push it more in transition,” said the senior center.

Scott City’s defensive pressure also contributed to a couple of steals on the perimeter that led to easy baskets - two by Brett Meyer and another

by Yager.

Quicker to Basket Holcomb’s defense seemed to focus on taking away Scott City’s threepoint shooting - SCHS made a season low of just two - which forced the Beavers to challenge the Longhorns inside. SCHS made that adjustment which also contributed to a 23-of-31 night at the charity stripe.

Regular season and tournament champions from Scott City are (front row, from left) Amber Latta, Alivia Noll, Brooklynne Zielke, Tori Ford and Rhiley Stoppel. (Back row) Payton Goodman, Alli Patton, Kennedy Holstein, Kaelyn Dearden and Ella Rumford.

(Record Photo)

tage and that was more ran out in a convincing than enough.

20-7 win by Scott City (8-0) in the championship Roll Over Sublette game.

Sublette (8-3) was Scott City took control an upset winner over of the game defensively Syracuse, but their luck with two fastbreak layups

by Rumford in the opening period that opened up a 6-0 lead.

Amber Latta, who finished with a game high 12 points hit the final basket of the first half that put

her team ahead, 12-2, and she added three more field goals in the final period as Scott City pulled away for the easy win.

Rumford finished with four points.

shut them down better tonight,” said Coach O’Neil.

The Longhorns had 29 rebounds on Tuesday compared to 35 when the two teams last played each other.

“We played harder.

That’s something we’d talked about since the last time we played them, was everyone going to the boards and scrambling for loose balls,” noted O’Neil.

Baker said that was a particular focus for him after watching film of the Holcomb game again on Monday.

“It seemed they were getting three offensive re-

bounds on every possession so we needed to box out hard. It seemed they would drive (to the basket) and I’d leave my man to help and then my man would get the rebound and the putback,” he says.

“This time I stayed with my man and boxed out harder when the shot went up.”

Holcomb senior Trey Sleep still had a big night with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Six-foot-six sophomore Conner VanCleave finished with 17 points and junior guard Christian Merz added 10.

(continued from page 17)

SCHS outscored Holcomb at the line, 23-11.

“I felt they couldn’t guard me tonight so I was taking it to the basket. It was a great atmosphere and I felt my feet were quicker than normal,” said Meyer, who finished with a team high 24 points.

“They were playing Trey, Dylan (Hutchins) and me pretty tight on the perimeter and that made it tougher for us to get our shots off. It was forcing us to drive and to dish it more. It worked out either way,” added Meyer.

Second Half Push Scott City’s 32-25 halftime lead was quickly sliced to three points, 3229, following consecutive baskets by Holcomb to start the third period. That was as close as the Longhorns would get the rest of the night.

Meyer answered with a three-point play, followed by another Holcomb score.

Scott City then seized control of the game with a 10-0 scoring blitz that put them on top, 45-31, with 3:59 left in the quarter.

SCHS hit four free throws during that stretch along with Hess’s second trey of the season that put Scott City on top, 41-31. Moments after picking up his third foul, Meyer responded with a steal and layup that stretched the margin to 13 points, 44-31.

O’Neil’s charity toss finished off the scoring run.

Scott City’s pinpoint passing was showcased later in the period when Meyer added another basket on an assist from O’Neil and Baker’s pass to O’Neil contributed to another score.

Hess’s big night continued in the quarter’s closing seconds when the forward was able to grab a rebound just in front of the basket and fling an off-balanced shot that slipped through the hoop just ahead of the buzzer that rebuilt the SCHS lead to 14 points, 53-39. Scott City’s biggest lead of the night was 60-45 following another assist from O’Neil to Hess.

Holcomb was able to make one final run at the Beavers with a 6-0 scoring stretch. That included back-to-back trips to the free throw line after Baker and Meyer each picked up their fourth fouls. The second trip cut the margin to seven points, 62-57, with 2:37 left in the game.

Holcomb’s hopes of a miracle comeback were quickly erased following a basket by Meyer, a threepoint play from Baker and two free throws by O’Neil that gave Scott City a comfortable 69-55 edge with only 1:19 to play.

Only five Beavers were in the scoring column with four of them in dou-

A sign in the student section shows that SCHS head coach Glenn O’Neil has some supporters should he ever decide to go into politics.

(Record Photo)

ble figures. O’Neil’s 18 point night included just one second half field goal.

However, he was 9-of-13 at the free throw line after halftime. It was a similar story for Baker who’s 15 points included 7-of-9 at the charity stripe.

Making Defensive Stops Even with the balanced offense, the key to Scott City’s win was defense and rebounding.

“We stopped them from getting on the boards. In the last game they ate us up on the offensive rebounds and putbacks. We

The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

SC Stars Swim Team Western Ks. Swim Club February Freeze Feb. 14, 2015 Team scores: Dumas/ Moore Co. 337, Garden City 335, Golden Belt 285, Scott City 196, Ulysses 104, Hays 61, Holcomb 44, Dodge City 7 Girl’s Division 25 yd. Freestyle 8-years and under: Megan Trout, 3rd, 23.06; Amelia Ramsey, 19th, 32.55.

50 yd. Freestyle 9-10 years: Hope Wiechman, 1st, 34.68; Kennedy Wasinger, 5th, 42.83.

11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 7th, 36.28.

13-14 years: Piper Wasinger, 5th, 31.95; Hallie Wiechman, 6th, 32.51.

15-years and older: Kylee Trout, 1st, 29.02.

100 yd. Freestyle 8-years and under: Megan Trout, 2nd, 2:06.46; Amelia Ramsey, 4th, 2:41.03.

9-10 years: Kennedy Wasinger, 3rd, 1:39.97.

11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 4th, 1:23.79.

13-14 years: Hallie Wiechman, 5th, 1:14.02; Piper Wasinger, 6th, 1:14.37.

15-years and older: Kylee Trout, 1st, 1:08.37.

500 yd. Freestyle 9-10 years: Hope Wiechman, 1st, 8:15.95.

13-14 years: Hallie Wiechman, 1st, 7:27.38.

25 yd. Backstroke 8-years and under: Megan Trout, 4th, 27.66; Amelia Ramsey, 19th, 37.99.

50 yd. Backstroke 11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 8th, 45.91.

100 yd. Backstroke 13-14 years: Hallie Wiechman, 4th, 1:27.13; Piper Wasinger, 5th, 1:31.18.

15-years and older: Kylee Trout, 3rd, 1:26.66.

25 yd. Breaststroke 8-years and under: Megan Trout, 2nd, 36.75.

50 yd. Breaststroke 9-10 years: Hope Wiechman, 3rd, 50.25; Kennedy Wasinger, 4th, 55.08.

100 yd. Breaststroke 13-14 years: Piper Wasinger, 3rd, 1:32.75.

15-years and older: Kylee Trout, 1st, 1:26.77.

25 yd. Butterfly 8-years and under: Megan Trout, 4th, 40.40; Amelia Ramsey, 5th, 41.97.

50 yd. Butterfly 9-10 years: Hope Wiechman, 2nd, 46.99; Kennedy Wasinger, 4th, 1:01.63.

11-12 years: Clare Hawkins, 5th, 47.34.

100 yd. Butterfly 13-14 years: Hallie Wiechman, 2nd, 1:25.51.

100 yd. Individual Medley 9-10 years: Hope Wiechman, 3rd, 1:38.34; Kennedy Wasinger, 5th, 1:55.02.

200 yd. Individual Medley 13-14 years: Piper Wasinger, 3rd, 3:06.17.

15-years and older: Kylee Trout, 1st, 2:55.94.

Boy’s Division 25 yd. Freestyle 8-years and under: Kasten Wren, 7th, 27.33.

50 yd. Freestyle 11-12 years: Connor Cupp, 1st, 29.71.

100 yd. Freestyle 8-years and under: Kasten Wren, 2nd, 2:30.70.

25 yd. Backstroke 8-years and under: Kasten Wren, 8th, 33.44.

50 yd. Backstroke 11-12 years: Connor Cupp, 1st, 33.60.

50 yd. Breaststroke 11-12 years: Connor Cupp, 1st, 40.38.

50 yd. Butterfly 11-12 years: Connor Cupp, 1st, 31.94.

100 yd. Individual Medley 11-12 years: Conner Cupp, 1st, 1:21.63.

100 yd. Mixed Freestyle 12-years and under: Megan Trout, Amelia Ramsey, Kasten Wren, Kennedy Wasinger, 13th, 1:43.36.

200 yd. Mixed Freestyle 13-years and older: Conner Cupp, Hallie Wiechman, Piper Wasinger, Kylee Trout, 2nd, 2:03.09.

100 yd. Mixed Medley 12-years and under: Clare Hawkins, Kennedy Wasinger, Hope Wiechman, Megan Trout, 6th, 1:35.53.

200 yd. Mixed Medley 13-years and older: Hallie Wiechman, Piper Wasinger, Connor Cupp, Kylee Trout, 2nd, 2:28.15.

Takedown Kids Wrestling Gunsmoke Nationals Rookie Division Feb. 14, 2015 • at Dodge City 6-Years and under 43: Konner Rohrbough maj. dec. by Destini Alarcon (Brighton), 13-2; pinned Jesus Baeza (Hugoton), 1:19; pinned Kade Graf (Great Bend), 0:53; dec. Jayce Caldwell (Ulysses), 10-3. Third place 46: Kasey Rohrbough pinned by Ethan Wallace (Greater Gold), 0:16; maj. dec. Kirbey Rohrbough (Scott City), 10-2; dec. by Isak Mariche (Dodge City), 6-2. Fourth place 46: Kirbey Rohrbough pinned Kenneth Walker (Hays), 0:22; pinned by Julissa Rodriguez (Greater Gold), 0:37; maj. dec. by Kasey Rohrbough (Scott City), 10-2.

55: Brody Rohrbough pinned Kendall Burns (Kobra), 1:52; dec. Mario Cedillo (Kobra), 9-3; pinned by Brogan Unruh (Great Bend), 1:52. Second place 8-Years-Old 58: Waylon Ricker maj. dec. Kaden Dressler (Dodge City), 14-2; pinned Tyler Johnson (Hays), 0:36; pinned Jose Calleja (Hugoton), 0:38. First place 58: Alexander Rodriguez dec. by Dylan Wainscott (Dodge City), 6-0; maj. dec. Saben Herrera (Greater Gold), 9-0; pinned Israel Zimmerman (Hays), 2:46; pinned Tyler Johnson (Hays), 2:41; dec. by Dylan Wainscott (Dodge City), 6-1.

Fourth place 61-64: Kade John maj. dec. Collin Saffa (Great Bend), 100; dec. by Gregory Martinez (Holcomb), 6-2; pinned Quincy Sierra (Ulysses), 0:43; pinned Logan Seifried (Gray Co.) 2:16.

Third place 73: Case Armendariz dec. Jacob Noriega (Bulldog), 1210. First place Gunsmoke Nationals Open Division Feb. 14, 2015 • at Dodge City 6-Years and under 49: Trenton Frank pinned Nathan Santana (Dodge City) 0:49; pinned Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses) 1:00; dec. Elliott Williams (Dodge City) 6-2. First place 55-58: Matthew Wheeler dec. Ty Schmeidler (Hays) 9-3; dec. by Jacob Gonzales (Ulysses) 7-1; pinned Kale Kern (Hoisington) 2:58. Second place 9-10-Years-Old 70: Collin McDaniel pinned Ryan Heiman (Greater Gold), 1:41; dec. by Weston Dalton (POWA), 6-0; pinned Ryan Shaw (Hoxie); dec. Luke Barker (Ulysses), 2-0. Third place 73: Zachery Rohrbough pinned Stone Willson (Dodge City), 1:43; pinned by Daniel Cardenas (Pomona); dec. Avery Wolf (Greater Gold); pinned Stone Wilson (Dodge City).

Third place 76: Conner Armendariz maj. dec. Wayne Shepard (Hoxie), 10-0; dec. Chistopher Haase (Pomona), 5-4; pinned Sebastian Rodriguez (Greater Gold). First place 130: Lance Miller dec. by Sebastian Lopez (Greater Gold), 6-4 (tiebreaker); dec. Caden McCandless (Pratt), 3-1.

Second place 150: Jarron Gregory dec. by Matthew Moore (Colo. Bad Boys), 7-5; dec. Matthew Moore (Colo. Bad Boys), 7-2; pinned Matthew Moore (Colo. Bad Boys), 2:58. First place 11-12-Years-Old 88: Loren Faurot pinned Elias Gonzales (Colo. Bad Boys), 2:17; maj. dec. by Jacob Duran (MHWC), 12-0; maj. dec. by Logan Davidson (Ks. Young Guns), 11-0; maj. dec. Damien Peck (Greater Gold), 11-0. Third place 96: Kale Wheeler pinned Quentin Boxberger (Hoisington), 1:02; dec. by Rowdy Martin (Ulysses), 3-0; tech. fall Anthony Aldretti (POWA), 16-0; dec. by Silas Pineda (Greater Gold), 7-0; dec. by Chris Pinales (Shamrock), 6-3. Fourth place 130: Caleb VanDegrift maj. dec. by Blayze Standley (Hays), 9-0; pinned Jayce Hamel (Hill City), 1:23; pinned by David Leck (Rose Hill), 1:30; maj. dec. by Blayze Standley (Hays), 14-0. Sixth place 140: Cale Goodman pinned Joshua Ball (Hoisington), 1:30; pinned Roman Garcia (Ulysses), 0:36; pinned by Michael Mendoza (Hugoton), 4:13; pinned Jesse Tapia (Immortals), 1:52. Second place 13-14-Years-Old 95: Theron Tucker pinned Violet Martinez (Holcomb); by Silas Pineda (Greater Gold), 2-0 (sudden victory); maj. dec.

by Salvador Gutierrez (Pomona), 14-0; maj. dec. Corey Hale (Hays), 9-0. Third place 100: Justus McDaniel tech. fall Carl Haase (Pomona), 170; pinned Adam Nolte (Colo. Bad Boys), 4:04; dec. by Anthony Mariche (Dodge City), 13-8. First place 110: Jordan Wagner pinned by Couy Weil (Dodge City), 0:24; pinned by Kaden Wren (Scott City), 0:28.

110: Kaden Wren dec. by Brandan Taylor (Pomona), 6-3; pinned Jordan Wagner (Scott City), 0:28; pinned Taron Burkhart (Hays), 0:42; pinned Brandan Taylor (Pomona), 1:12.

Third place 125: Justin Hundertmark pinned by Jeffery Spragis (Great Bend), 4:09; pinned by Johnny Olmedo (Pomona), 0:17; pinned by Krieghton Meyers (Hays), 1:01. Fourth place 135-140: Wyatt Hayes tech. fall Kyle Casper (Hays), 15-0; pinned Dallas Wood (Duran), 0:30; dec. Christopher Fasano (Steel City), 6-4. First place Heartbreak Open Feb. 14, 2015 • at Newton 9-10-Years-Old 73-76: Aiden Schwindt dec. by Clayton Kaufman (Newton), 6-0; pinned by Caden Anderson (Beloit), 2:47. Third place Heartbreak Novice Feb. 15, 2015 • at Newton 9-10-Years-Old 73-76: Aiden Schwindt pinned by Faith Smith (Semper Fi), 2:27; pinned Cody Perkins (Junction City), 0:59; pinned

by Keviyon Johnson (TOHK), 1:48; dec. by Caitlyn Belote (Renegades), 6-2. Fourth place

Cubes

(continued from page 18)

the design open which seems to work best. Now the top PVC pipes are put on and the cube is ready to be submerged.

The PVC cubes are cost-effective, easy to place and last three times longer than traditional tree-limb brush piles. In other states where they are in use, they have also proven to attract and hold just as many fish as manmade brush piles.

Bryan Sowards, Fisheries Program Specialist for Kansas says their goal is to produce and deploy 150-300 cubes per year.

This year, Georgia Cubes will be placed in Milford, Wilson, Melvern, El Dorado and Cedar bluff res-

ervoirs in addition to a variety of community and state fishing lakes.

Biologists have also found that these structures quickly accumulate a complex mix of algae, fungi and bacteria known as periphyton, which attracts small fish and insects, which in turn attract bigger sport fish.

Members of Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation Clubs will help distribute and deploy the finished cubes.

Jeff Nolte, conservation director for the clubs, adds that besides attracting and holding sport fish, the cubes also provide critical nursery habitat to help fry evade predator fish as they grow.

Sub-State Standings

Hurt

Class 3A Boy’s Division • at Beloit W L Scott City 17 1 Beloit 16 2 Norton 16 2 Minneapolis 12 5 Ellsworth 9 9 Hoisington 7 11 Phillipsburg 5 12 Russell 2 16

Once the cubes are submerged, they will be marked by GPS and added to a file available on the KDWPT website, www. ksoutdoors.com. Click on “fishing” at the top of the page, then click on “where to fish in Kansas” on the left hand side, then click on “Google KMZ file of fish attracters” and follow the directions.

To me it all equals a win-win situation for Kansas fishermen as our Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism helps us all Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at stevegilliland@idkcom.net

(continued from page 20)

Two starters to watch closely are Duffy and Guthrie.

Duffy has a history of inconsistency and injuries and Guthrie has been up and down.

KC acquired Volquez from Pittsburgh, where he had an excellent 2014 season. His stats look great and Volquez might be the answer to replacing James Shields.

Saving the best for last, Ventura has the tools of greatness. If he stays healthy and can gain control of his curveball, Ventura will become KC’s ace and a Class 1A-Division I Boy’s Division • at Dighton great pitcher.

Dighton Satanta Hodgeman Co. Minneola Ingalls

W 11 10 7 6 4

L 7 8 10 9 12

Class 1A-Division I Girl’s Division • at Dighton W L Ingalls 16 2 Dighton 14 4 Satanta 7 11 Minneola 6 12 Hodgeman Co. 5 13

upset bug

The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Hornets sting No. 2 ranked Indians Most freshmen wouldn’t want the ball in their hands with the game on the line against a state-ranked opponent.

Jordan Horn isn’t most freshman.

The Dighton High School guard was clutch in the second half Dighton 61 against HoxHoxie 51 ie on Friday night, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the final 12 minutes, including 6-of-6 at the charity stripe in the final 2:44 that helped the Hornets come away with a 6151 win over the No. 2 ranked team in Class 1A-Division I. “Jordan’s not afraid to have the ball in his hands in a big moment,” noted head coach Dean Cramer.

Horn was just one of several Hornets who stepped up when it appeared that Hoxie was on the verge of a big second half comeback. Dighton had led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter - 44-30 following a three-point basket by Horn with 3:05 on the clock and again at 46-42 following a basket by sophomore Tyler Lingg.

The Indians then put together a 15-4 scoring run that included three treys. The last one brought a thunderous roar from the packed Hoxie gymnasium when it cut the deficit to 50-47 with 3:46 remaining in the game.

After that it became a free throw contest for the Hornets who scored nine of their final 11 points at the foul stripe.

Senior guard Wyatt Habiger hit a lone free throw followed

by Horn who made two trips to the stripe and calmly hit both free throws each time to extend the lead to 55-47 with 1:14 still to play. Both teams exchanged field goals before Horn and Lingg put the game well beyond reach with two free throws each that put them on top, 61-49, before a meaningless last second basket by the Indians.

“You know a team like that is going to make a run at some point. We knew they’d pressure us and try to hit some threes,” says Cramer. “Our boys did a great job of handling the pressure, especially in front of a huge crowd. It was a great atmosphere.”

While the Hornets were able to maintain their lead with timely shooting and clutch free throws, it was their ability to make several key defensive stops down the stretch which allowed them to come away with the upset win.

“We stuck with the game

Respect

plan. We concentrated on defense and in keeping (Connor) Katt and (Josh) Heim from penetrating,” says Cramer. “We weren’t going to give up anything in the paint. If they were going to beat us it would be from the outside.”

After cutting the deficit to three points, Hoxie was held scoreless for the next 2-1/2 minutes before snapping the drought with a field goal with just over a minute to play.

Playing loose and aggressive in a highly-charged atmosphere was critical for the Hornets.

“We told the boys before the game they had nothing to lose.

We told them to be aggressive and if (Hoxie) wanted to play us tight defensively then let’s take it to the basket,” said Cramer.

Also give credit to another outstanding effort from T. Lingg at both ends of the floor.

He scored 15 of his game high 19 points in the first half, finishing the night with 7-of-9 from the field. He had three treys, including two in the first quarter as Dighton never trailed in the game and jumped out to an early 16-8 lead following Lingg’s second three-pointer.

Hoxie cut the lead to 16-13 early in the second period, but Dighton was able to rebuild a 31-23 advantage at the half.

Defensive Change Hoxie switched to a box-andone defense in the second half to contain Lingg and it was effective in limiting the sophomore to just four points over the final 16 minutes.

“When they did that we put Tyler down low and penetrated to the elbow,” noted Cramer.

“Horn did a good job of taking his man to the basket and getting free throws.”

Sophomore guard Lake Lewis provided a big response to Hoxie’s defensive change when he hit back-to-back treys to open the second half and push the Hornets’ lead back to 14 points, 37-23.

“When Lake hit two quick treys that really set the tone. I always emphasize to the boys that a game can be won or lost in the third quarter. I felt that by not losing ground to Hoxie in the quarter we put ourselves in position to win the game.”

And also give credit to Lingg who, despite being limited to just four points in the half, was still a major factor under the boards where he completed his double-double with 14 rebounds to go along with three blocked shots.

The Hornets had a scare early in the fourth quarter when Lingg (continued from page 22)

“When he can step out and hit treys like he’s capable of doing it’s tough for teams to know who they can guard him with. If you put a little guy on him Tyler will shoot over the top and if you guard him with a bigger kid he can take it to the basket.”

Junior guard Marcos Cruz also finished with a nice game, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds.

“Right now we’re probably playing our best ball of the season which is what you like to see heading into sub-state,” added Cramer.

DHS freshman guard Jordan Horn finishes off a drive to the basket with a layin during Friday’s NWKL win at Hoxie.

(Record Photo)

got caught in a pileup under the basket and hobbled off the floor.

“We sure didn’t want to lose Tyler for any length of time. We weren’t sure how bad he was hurt,” Cramer says. “Our bench did an outstanding job. (Sixfoot-2 freshman) Isaac Torson blocked a shot by Katt and Lake (Lewis) hit a big basket in the final minute.”

In addition to his seven points and three rebounds, Cramer says that Habiger makes

contributions that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.

“People don’t realize how good a defender Wyatt is. He’s strong and physical and defends the penetration very well,” says Cramer.

The head coach says it was Dighton’s most complete game of the season.

“We played a great first half and we followed that up with a great second half,” he says. “To

get a win over a state-ranked team this late in the year is a big confidence-builder. And we also got a taste of what it’s like to play in front of a huge crowd that was really into the game.

“Hopefully this team also earned a little respect,” Cramer added. “We got a win against a team that a lot of people, I’m sure, weren’t expecting us to beat. Now we have to keep that momentum and not give away a game we should win.”

The Scott County Record

Lawn and Garden

Page 25 - Thursday, February 19, 2015

Soil sampling program in Dighton Thurs.

why wait?

Scott County Extension Agent John Beckman (background) offers tips during a recent horticulture program for getting vegetable plants started indoors before transplanting them outside later this spring. He set up a grow lamp that can help plants get off to a good start.

Now is the time for serious gardeners to get a head start It’s still February. You want to get an early start on your garden, but you don’t dare knowing that sub-freezing temperatures are still to come.

“Now’s the time to get started indoors so that you can transplant outside when the weather allows,” says Scott County Extension Agent John Beckman.

Of course, one of the most important things to know when starting is the target date for transplanting outside and the number of weeks needed to grow the transplant.

The target date for transplanting cool-season crops such as

broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and onions, for example, is the end of March to the beginning of April.

“For most vegetables you’ll need six to eight weeks,” Beckman says. “For flower transplants you need to allow 12-14 weeks.”

He says an important date to keep in mind is April 26.

That’s the average date for the last spring frost in this area.

Even the best plans can be brought down by Mother Nature.

“Two years ago I started spinach and lettuce. Then we had a bitter cold snap in April

and I lost everything,” says Beckman.

Not one to give up, he planted three trays of bell peppers last spring.

“If a person is planting a large garden, buying starter plants can be expensive. This is a way to cut back on that cost,” he notes.

A key element when planting indoors is lighting. Sunlight through a window won’t be adequate. Beckman says inexpensive light stands can either be built or one can purchase one, but the equipment can last for many years.

The proper seed starting media is also essential. One

can prepare their own, but it must be sterilized. This can be done by putting the media in the oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes.

Containers can range from cottage cheese containers to styrofoam cups.

“Good drainage is a must,” Beckman says. “That’s the number one problem when planting indoors.

He adds that fresh seeds will germinate faster than old seeds.

“Over the years I’ve found the process of transplanting to be very rewarding . . . and really frustrating,” adds Beckman with a grin.

Seed library will offer access to hard-to-find plant varieties Do you remember a particular tomato variety that your mother, or maybe your grandmother, grew in the garden, but can no longer find?

Maybe you’ve had a hardto-find vegetable variety which you’ve been growing in your own garden that you’d like to share with others.

If so, a new project at the Scott County Library may be the answer.

They are in the process of starting a seed library in cooperation with Scott County Extension.

According to Extension Agent John Beckman, the library will be limited to heirloom and open pollinated varieties “I’m giving seed from spaghetti squash that I grew last year,” says Beckman. “The idea is to add another fun element by giving people a chance to experiment with varieties they might not otherwise have access to.”

He emphasizes, however, there’s no guarantee of suc-

cess. Neither can the library vouch for the quality of seeds in the library.

“We depend entirely on the type of seeds that people provide,” says Mildred Dearden, a member of the library staff who will help catalog the seeds.

“Our seed collection depends on donations and seasonality. You’ll see different seeds available at different times, so gardeners need to be sure to check back.”

The idea behind the seed library is for gardeners to select seeds and experiment with new varieties without having to purchase a whole pack of seed.

“We are by no means, supplying seeds to plant your entire garden area,” says Dearden.

The library, along with Extension, will be providing programming related to growing, harvesting, and seed saving throughout the year.

The Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds.

“By saving seeds as a community we help create local seed stocks that are better acclimated to our climate and support an abundant and genetically diverse landscape,” Dearden says. “The seed library is for all gardeners, from beginner to expert.”

Beckman says they won’t be providing enough seed to be in competition with local garden suppliers or greenhouses. Instead, he hopes the library will cultivate renewed interest in gardening.

He says, for example, that he has grown the heirloom tomato variety Brandy Wine.

“It’s an old variety that used to be much harder to find, but it’s beginning to gain in popularity again.

The tomatoes aren’t aesthetically pleasing like we’re used to having today. And it does have some disease issues.

“But they taste great,” he says. “It’s varieties such as this we hope to get people interested in trying.”

The process is simple: patrons select seeds from the library collection and plant them. After they have harvested their crops, they save seeds from the heartiest and healthiest of their harvest and return them to the library.

“Over time, we will have a wide selection of seeds that are best suited for our local, soil, climate, and plant/animal diversity,” Dearden adds.

Rules: •If you do not have any seeds to leave for exchange, please, take only three varieties to try in your garden. This will help to ensure seeds for a larger number of patrons.

•After borrowing seeds, plant them.

•Be sure to harvest seeds from healthy plants and return them to the library for other patrons to borrow and grow.

•The packaging and labeling of the seeds will be done at the library.

•You must provide species and variety information.

•Seed packets are available at the library.

Anyone who has had trouble with the soil health of their lawn, garden, or trees, or simply have an interest in making sure they are doing things right when it comes to fertility, are invited to attend “Soil Sampling 101: Tips for Gardens, Trees, and Landscape.”

This meeting will be held Thurs., Feb. 26, 7:00 p.m., at the 4-H building on the Lane County Fairgrounds, Dighton.

Chris Long, Walnut Creek Extension Agent, will present the program.

Topics will include sampling tools, procedures, location and fertility basics.

The program is free, but anyone planning to attend is asked to pre-register by Wednesday.

Call (785) 798-3921 or the toll free number at 1-877-798-3921.

A minimum of eight preregistrations is required for the program to be held.

There are flowers rabbits don’t like It happens way too often we tuck those tender flowers into our landscapes and wake up to find they’ve turned into rabbit food overnight.

Something to keep in mind as we’re planning for spring planting, however, is that there are certain flowers that rabbits typically don’t eat.

Rabbit-proof fencing can be an effective control, but may be too unattractive for some uses, said Ward Upham, master horticulturist at Kansas State University. In such cases, using plants that are less likely to be attractive to rabbits can be helpful.

“These plants are resistant, but not immune to attack,” said Upham.

Young plants or those that are succulent due to overfertilization are more likely to be damaged, he said. A lack of other food sources also can result in rabbits feeding on plants that are normally rejected.

One good source of information is a University of Arizona publication, Upham said, which has a list of flowers considered resistant to feeding damage by rabbits, including: artmesia, aster, bee balm, begonia, blanket flower, bleeding heart, candytuft, columbine coreopsis, crocus, daffodil, dahlia, daylily, ferns, gloriosa daisy, herbs (except basil), iris, lamb’s ears, pincushion flower, red hot poker, surprise lily, sweet violet, verbena and yarrow.

The Arizona publication, “Deer and Rabbit Resistant Plants,” at http://tinyurl.com/ y8sfgo2, also includes trees, shrubs, groundcovers and vines.

The Scott County Record

Farm

Regional meeting to study impact of LPC ‘endangered’ listing

In March of 2014 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the lesser prairie chicken (LPC) as a “threatened species.”

A “threatened” listing is a step below “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act and allows more flexibility in how the Act protections are implemented. In June 2014 the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit to list the LPC as “endangered.”

If the bird is listed as “endangered,” the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers and their rural communities will be significantly and negatively affected, according to the Kansas Farm Bureau.

The KFB is leading a coalition to prevent an “endangered” listing for the LPC. It is sponsoring several meetings beginning this week in the habitat area. Kansas Farm Bureau Legislative Counsel Mike Irvin and Foundations Director Harry Watts will brief attendees on the impact of an “endangered” listing of the lesser prairie chicken.

The meetings are open and the public is encouraged to attend.

An area meeting will be held Thurs., Feb. 26, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at The Learning Center, 308 Frontview Rd., Dodge City, Kansas.

For more information on the issue visit www. stopfowlplay.com.

Page 26 - Thursday, February 19, 2015

Time we decided to kick COOL to the curb

Has any proposed ‘benefit’ to consumers and industry ever disappointed both its proponents and opponents? It’d be tough to find a law that failed worse than Country of Origin Labeling.

It’s all over.

For now, anyway.

After losing both in federal district court and in the federal appellate courts, the meat industry filed notice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to drop its lawsuit, American Meat Institute, et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, et al. The First Amendment challenge to COOL was rejected in federal district court and in an appeal to a three-judge panel and to the entire D.C. Circuit Court.

That hardly ends the controversy, though.

USDA has appealed that

Ag Commentary Dan Murphy contributing columnist

Drovers CattleNetwork

decision, and the World Trade Organization still must resolve the remaining issues - that is, unless Congress gets involved in re-writing the original rules. The WTO previously stated that COOL places an unfair burden on meat producers in Canada and Mexico.

Supporters of the law were upbeat about the end of the lawsuit.

“It’s a huge relief to know that common-sense labeling laws, like COOL, can prevail in court despite the deep pockets of the multinationals,” National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson called the COOL lawsuit’s dismissal “a clear and indisputable

win for American consumers and producers.”

Industry representatives, however, held out hope that Congress may indeed ride to the rescue.

“While we remain disappointed with the court’s ruling on country of origin labeling, we agree with the World Trade Organization’s assessment that the U.S. rule is out of compliance with its trade obligations to Canada and Mexico,” North American Meat Institute CEO Barry Carpenter said, noting that a “statutory fix” would be needed to bring the U.S. industry into compliance.

He said that the industry remains committed to “working with Congress to fix COOL once and for all.”

Good luck with that.

aged to cause more controversies, trigger more concerns and utterly fail to deliver the touted benefits to its supporters more so than COOL? The Canadians claimed that their meat industry was losing as much as $1 billion a year due to the country of origin labeling rules, which inhibited the free flow of livestock and meat products between their country and the United States.

Meanwhile, U.S. ranchers and feeders had expectations that COOL would serve to improve their market shares as a result of consumers’ desire to “buy Made in USA” products - or at least that the knowledge of a meat product’s origin might sway purchasers, price, quality and other variables As Bad as It Gets My question is this: being equal.

(See COOL on page 27) Has any law ever man-

Study: megadroughts likely later this century

As bad as recent droughts in California, the Southwest and the Midwest have been, scientists say far worse “megadroughts” are coming - and they’re bound to last for decades.

“Unprecedented drought conditions” - the worst in more than 1,000 years - are likely to come to

Produce, not grains, hurt

by West Coast strike Protracted labor strife and shipping disruptions at U.S. West Coast ports have hit farmers especially hard, posing a major barrier to perishable goods headed to overseas markets and resulting in losses estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars a week.

Because the dislocation at the ports directly involves containerized cargo only, bulk shipments of grain and soybeans have largely been unaffected.

Precise figures on the extent of damage are hard to come by. Total U.S. agricultural export losses - for fruits, vegetables and meats shipped by container - were running roughly $400 million a week in December, the latest month for which industry data was available.

Many U.S. suppliers are deciding to forgo exports and scrambling instead to find domestic buyers for their produce, driving down prices, said Wendy Fink-Weber, a spokeswoman for the Western Growers trade organization.

The long term concern is that American export business lost to other countries may not return once the strike is over.

“They’re losing their buyers and they’re losing their markets,” FinkWeber said.

the Southwest and Central Plains after 2050 and stick around because of global warming, according to a new study in the journal Science Advances.

“Nearly every year is going to be dry toward the end of the 21st century compared to what we think of as normal conditions now,” said study lead

author Benjamin Cook, a NASA atmospheric scientist. “We’re going to have to think about a much drier future in western North America.”

There’s more than an 80 percent chance that much of the central and western United States will have a 35-year-or-longer “megadrought” later this cen-

tury, said study co-author Toby Ault of Cornell University, adding that “water in the Southwest is going to become more precious than it already is.”

Megadroughts last for decades instead of just a few years. The 1930s Dust Bowl went on for more than 35 years, Ault

Canada confirms BSE, cattle prices up slightly Canada confirmed its first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) disease since 2011 on Feb. 13, but said the discovery, which helped drive cattle prices higher, should not hit a beef export sector worth $1.6 billion a year.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said no part of the animal had reached the human food or animal feed systems. BSE is a progressive, fatal neurological disease.

“The CFIA is seeking to confirm the age of the animal, its history and how it became infected. The investigation will focus in on the feed supplied to this animal during the first year of its life,” the agency said.

Canadian exports were badly hit in 2003 after the first case of BSE was detected. Canada subsequently tightened its controls and many nations have since resumed the beef trade with Canada, despite the discovery of more cases since then.

Asked whether he was concerned about exports being harmed, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz told reporters in Calgary: “Not at this time, no.”

He added though that markets in South Korea and Japan were generally very concerned about the potential risk from BSE. (See BSE on page 27)

said.

The study is based on current increasing rate of rising emissions of carbon dioxide and complex simulations run by 17 different computer models, which generally agreed on the outcome, Cook said.

The regions Cook looked at include California, Nevada, Utah,

Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, northern Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, most of Iowa, southern Minnesota, western Missouri, western Arkansas, and northwestern Louisiana.

Looking back in records trapped in tree

Market Report

Weather

Closing prices on February 17, 2015 Bartlett Grain Wheat.................. $ 5.24 White Wheat ....... $ 5.39 Milo .................... $ 4.39 Corn ................... $ 4.09 Soybeans (new crop) $ 8.25 Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 5.24 White Wheat ....... $ 5.39 Milo (bu.)............. $ 4.40 Corn.................... $ 4.00 Soybeans ........... $ 9.28 Sunflowers.......... $ 17.50 ADM Grain Wheat..................

Milo (bu.).............

Corn....................

Soybeans............

Sunflowers..........

$ 5.32 $ 4.40 $ 4.08 $ 9.30 $ 18.05

(See DROUGHTS on page 27)

H

L

P

February 10 67 26 February 11 49 30 February 12 52 21 February 13 65 30 February 14 60 23 February 15 24 16 February 16 45 22 .02 Snow: Feb. 16 1/4 inch Moisture Totals February

.02

2015 Total

.31

Ag Facts Americans consume 17.3 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year. The average American eats about 68 quarts.

The Scott County Record • Page 27 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Strong cattle prices are forecast for 2015 Producers attending the NCBA trade show were given reason to be optimistic during the 2015 outlook session.

Cattle market analysts told the capacity crowd to expect fed cattle prices averaging in the mid$150s, slightly higher than last year.

Prices will trade in a range from near $140 at the lows to near $170 at the highs in the year ahead. Early year highs for 550 pound steers will

range from near $285 to lows near $235.

Analysts cited the improved forage situation, lower grain prices and record margins in 2014 for feeders and stockers as the primary reason cowcalf producers will remain in the driver’s seat for the year ahead.

Despite exceptional prices in 2014, CattleFax CEO Randy Blach said he expects the market peak is behind the cattle industry now.

Commodity Classic to include Vilsack

First sign-up deadline nears

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will make his sixth visit to Commodity Classic, the annual convention and trade show for corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers.

The secretary will deliver a keynote address to several thousand farmers and ag allies during the event’s General Session, to be held Friday, Feb. 27, in Phoenix, Ariz.

Secretary Vilsack was appointed by President Barack Obama as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and took office in January 2009.

The 20th annual Commodity Classic takes place Feb. 26-28, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

BSE (continued from page 26)

A fresh discovery of BSE may not close borders to beef, given the tougher measures, but it could delay Canada’s efforts to upgrade its international risk status from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Ritz said Canada’s current OIE risk status meant it could report up to 12 outbreaks in a calendar year.

On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the news helped drive up live cattle contracts for delivery beginning this spring by as much as two percent.

The market rallied in part because of the prospect of less beef coming across the border, said Joe Ocrant, president of Oak Investment Group in Chicago.

Farm Bill Safety-Net Deadlines Approaching for Farmers The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of upcoming deadlines for the new safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC).

The final day to update yield history or reallocate base acres is Fri., Feb. 27, and the final day for farm owners and producers to choose which program their farm participation is Tues., March 31.

“These programs provide financial protection against unexpected changes in the marketplace, so now is the time to have

“We put the top in the market in the past year and the signal for expansion has been transmitted,” he said. “We will begin to see some modest expansion in herd numbers now and that will cause prices to trend lower in the years ahead than what we saw in 2014.”

He explained that growing supplies of cattle and beef over the next several years will rebalance the normal price and margin environment

those final conversations, to ask any remaining questions, and to visit the Farm Service Agency to make these decisions,” says Scott County FSA director Lora Wycoff.

For the first time in many years, farmers have the opportunity to update yields or reallocate base, but if no changes are made

by Feb. 27, the farm’s current yield and base will be used.

If no program election occurs by March 31, then there will be no 2014 payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC program coverage for the 2015 through 2018 crop year.

Nationwide, more than 3,500 training sessions have been conducted on the new safety-net pro-

Drought rings and other data, there were megadroughts in the Southwest and Central Plains in the 1100s and 1200s that lasted several decades, but these will be worse, Cook said. Those were natural and not caused by climate change, unlike those forecast for the future, Cook said.

Because of changes in the climate, the Southwest

COOL

grams, including over 200 in Kansas. The online tools, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arcplc, allow producers to explore projections on how ARC or PLC coverage will affect their operation under possible future scenarios.

Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity.

To learn more, contact county FSA office.

(continued from page 26)

will see less rain. But for both regions the biggest problem will be the heat, which will increase evaporation and dry out the soil. The result is a vicious cycle: The air grows even drier, and hotter, Cook said.

Scientists had already figured that climate change would increase the odds of worse droughts in the future, but this

(continued from page 26)

USDA officials, of course, had challenged the industry’s lawsuit and argued, unsuccessfully to date, that recent revisions to the COOL regulations adequately addressed the problems cited by Canada and Mexico.

Meatpackers, processors, marketers and retailers complained vehemently about increased production and handling costs as a result of the systems required to track and segregate product from its source.

Consumer groups were unhappy with the entire industry for all the bickering, stalling and in-fighting that has accompanied what is now a 12-year old initiative that to most activists was seen as a nobrainer.

Nobody loves COOL. In fact, a new study

by Auburn University agricultural economist C. Robert Taylor, which was commissioned by the National Farmers’ Union - a supporter of the rule - determined that the regulations have “not had a negative impact on the cattle trade between Canada, the United States

among industry segments.

“Prices will then retreat back to the lower end of the new trading range,” said Blach.

Despite the adjustment, he explained that cow-calf producers will continue to see relatively strong returns over the next four to five years, aided by corn prices expected to average $3.60 per bushel in 2015 and an improved forage production picture.

Art Douglas, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at

and Mexico, according to a report in Fortune.

“COOL has not had a significant negative effect on the price paid for imported slaughter cattle relative to comparable domestic cattle,” Taylor wrote. “COOL has not had a statistically significant negative effect on imports of feeder cattle relative to U.S. feeder cattle placements.” The losses were judged instead to be a consequence of what Taylor labeled “turbulent economic times.” and presented data that COOL has had a negligible impact on imports from Canada and Mexico.

Some in the agriculture community feared threats by the Canadian government that it would apply tariffs to hundreds of American-made products if the country of origin labeling rules were not rescinded.

Unfortunately, since the day this ill-advised measure was first proposed, the issue hasn’t been about rights, but about all that’s wrong with COOL. From everyone’s perspective.

study makes it look worse and adds to a chorus of strong research, said Jonathan Overpeck, codirector of the Institute of the Environment at the University of Arizona.

“These results are not surprising, but are eye-opening nonetheless,” said Overpeck, who wasn’t part of the research.

Creighton University, presented the annual weather forecast.

“El Nino conditions have again built across the Pacific and will fuel a split jet stream pattern into the Southwestern United States. Moisture will gradually increase in February from southern California to the southern High Plains,” said Douglas.

“Snow-packs in the northern Rockies are expected to remain well

below normal at 50-70 percent levels while the southern Rockies should gradually build their snowpack through March.

A strong Great Lakes trough is forecast to keep a broad portion of the United States colder than normal through the spring and early summer.”

Douglas said this pattern should lead to delayed planting in the Corn Belt with possible threat of late frosts into the late spring.

$

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The Scott County Record • Page 28 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

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The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

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The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009

Classified Ad Deadline: Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Classified Ad Rate: 20¢ per word. Minimum charge, $5.

Blind ad: $2.50 per week extra. Card of thanks: 10¢ per word. Minimum charge, $3. Classified Display Ad rate: $5.50 per column inch.

Classified advertising must be paid in advance unless business account is established.

If not paid in advance, there will be a $1 billing charge.

Tear sheet for classified ad will be $1 extra.

Card of Thanks The family of MaryAnn Winter wish to express our sincere thanks to those who have offered such kindness, support, prayers, food, cards, flowers, messages of sympathy and comfort in our time of sorrow.

To our family and friends in Scott City. While this is long overdue it is still deeply, deeply heartfelt.

Harold and I will be forever grateful for our time in Scott City. Your community is a wonderful place to live with caring and compassionate people.

We want to thank everyone for your prayers, words of comfort and encouragement we received while Harold is going through treatments.

An added special thanks to everyone that helped us in a thousand different ways (packing, making meals and moving), the list goes on and on. We could not have been more blessed. We will truly miss all of you.

Most sincerely, Harold and Marie Lappin

GIVE YOUR FAMILY THE BEST

Magnificent 5-bedroom home with 3-bathrooms, 2-family rooms and a formal living room!

Many extras, including

COIN AUCTION SUN., MAR. 15TH 2:00 p.m. • 507 Court, Scott City, Ks.

100’s OF COINS-MOST AU & BU

MORGAN & PEACE $s; INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, HALVES, NICKLES, DIMES, PROOF & MINT SETS GOLD...Incl. $20 LIBERTY, 20 & 50 PESOS, $50 MAPLE LEAF & MORE!!!

BRITTAN AUCTION

Real Estate

Agriculture

Help Wanted

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS for sale 40’x60’ metal shop building and a 133’x45’ (approx.) round top building.

Serious inquiry’s only seller is a real estate agent selling own property 87426tfc 5109 or 874-2124.

WANTED TO BUY. Stored corn. Call for basis and contract information.

1-800-579-3645.

Lane County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– WANTED TO BUY. Wheat straw delivered.

Call for contracting information. Lane County Feeders. 397-5341. 44tfc

USD 466 NEEDS substitute route bus drivers. For applications and additional information contact Lance Carter at 620-872-7655.

FOR MORE INFO:

Rentals

full listing will be posted on

HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available. Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, 41tfc (620)874-2120.

––––––––––––––––––––– MULTIPLE HOUSES FOR RENT. 1 bedroom homes available. Also 8x10 storage units available. Stop by PlainJans to fill out an application or 01tfc call 872-5777.

––––––––––––––––––––– STORAGE UNITS in various sizes available at The Storehouse, Don and Trudy Eikenberry 62007tfc 872-2914.

––––––––––––––––––––– 4-BEDROOM, 2-bath, 2 garage house on Main Street (next to Dollar General). $900/month.

Accepting applications through Friday, Feb. 27th.

Call 620-214-3039. 28t1c

paragons@wbsnet.org 620-872-2957 auctionzip.com/brittan

Pine Village Apartments 300 E. Nonnamaker

Apartments available for qualifying tenants 62+ or disabled with rental assistance available.

Hours: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. by appointment Call Steve 872-2535 or (620) 255-4824.

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County Plat Maps Scott

Logan

Ness

Wichita

Gove

Wallace

Lane

Greeley

Finney

Kearney

wood burning fireplace, central vac, sprinkler

system, large DA garage

LOVELY BRICK HOME Two large bedrooms, one average bedroom, plus 1 3/4 baths up with full

basement and 3/4 bath, 2 car garage, on corner lot.

Thomas Real Estate

www.thomasreal-estate.com

914 W. 12th Scott City, Ks. 67871 (620)-872-7396 Cell: (620)-874-1753 or Cell: (620)-874-5002

and covered patio! Call

for your private showing.

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

TRAILOR LOTS! You’ve been asking for a place for your mobile

home! Call for details on these lots! $9,000 each.

Lawrence and Associates

Deb Lawrence, GRI Broker Shorty Lawrence, Sales Assoc.

513 Main • Scott City 872-5267 ofc. 872-7184 hm. lawrenceandassocrealty.com Sheila Ellis, Broker Assoc.

872-2056 Kerry Gough, Sales Assoc.

872-7337 Russell Berning, 874-4405 www.berningauction.com

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, that’s ours.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church basement (use west door).

412 College, Scott City.

Al-Anon at same time and location.

Contact: 874-0472 or 872-3137. 30t52

3+1 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, full basement, family room down, enclosed back porch, storage shed, wood fenced in yard on a large lot.

Services WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 8744135.

34tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 874-1412.

36tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tuneup and blade sharpening.

Call Rob Vsetecka at 620214-1730.

36tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– METAL ROOFING, SIDING and TRIMS at direct-to-the-public prices. Call Metal King Mfg., 620-872-5464. Our prices 37tfc will not be beat!

––––––––––––––––––––– “JEN’S GROOMING” also offering boarding.

By Jennifer Milner, hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. call 620-214-0097. Located in 09tfc Shallow Water.

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––––––––––––––––––––– PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT. Duties include: cooking, housekeeping and shopping approximately 35 hours weekly (140 mo.).

Applicants must supply references. Knowledge of epileptic care preferred. $10.55 per hour. Call Alan 620-214-4186 or 620-2144208. If no answer, please leave a message.

27t3p ––––––––––––––––––––– FA R M W O R K E R , 3/31/15-12/1/15, Mesquite Farms, Scott City, 5 temp., jobs. Drive trucks/tractors to perform a variety of crop duties. Field ready implements/equipment.

Cultivate, harrow, fertilize, plant, spray, harvest crops. Operate/ repair farm implements. Transport farm commodities to market. Mow/clean premises and equipment. 3 months experience, CDL, Clean MVR, employment reference, English required. $13.59/hr., ¾ work guarantee, tools/equipment/ housing provided, trans and subsistence expense reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620-2272149. Job #9454374. 28t2c ––––––––––––––––––––– FA R M W O R K E R , 3/15/15-11/30/15, Wilson Harvesting, Boise City, Okla., 10 temp., jobs.

Operate harvesting machines to harvest crops in Okla./Ks./Colo. Adjust speed of cutters, blowers, conveyors, and weight of cutting head. Change cutting head for crop. Drive truck to transport produce to storage area. Drive truck to haul harvesting machines b/w work sites.

Service machinery/make in-field repairs. $10.35/ hr.,-$13.59/hr., depending on location, ¾ work guarantee, tools/equipment/ housing provided, trans and subsistence expense reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620-2272149. Job #1011228. 28t1c ––––––––––––––––––––– POSITION AVAILABLE in swine finish facility in Scott County. Good schedule and benefits. Call 620-874-1017 or 620-2141864.

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The Scott County Record • Page 31 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

Employment Opportunities PARK LANE NURSING HOME

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL For High Plains Educational Cooperative Unified School District No. 466 is seeking a special education Para-Professional in each school building to work with students.

The positions are available as soon as possible.

For more information and applications please contact: Susan Carter Board of Education Building 704 College, Scott City, KS 67871 24tfc

Has openings for the following positions: Full-time CNA (day) Part-time CNA (night) Full-time Housekeeping Aide Part-time Dietary Aide Full-time Maintenance Assistant Shift differential pay offered for evening and night shifts!

Please apply in person at:

Park Lane Nursing Home

210 E. Parklane Scott City, KS 67871 Or visit us at our website: www.parklanenursinghome.org “Quality Care Because We Care”

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HOUSEKEEPING AIDE Scott County Hospital is seeking a full-time Housekeeping Aide.

This position requires a person who is dependable, in good health, energetic and who has high standards of cleanliness.

Applicants for this position are required to be able to read, speak and understand English.

Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, immunization titer, physical assessment and TB skin test required.

We offer competitive pay and great benefits.

SCH is a tobacco free facility.

Applications are available on our website at www.scotthospital.net or call 620-872-7772 for more information.

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FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN Temporary Field Service Tech Position for maintaining Lottery equipment.

Service and install Lottery equipment including wireless communications at retail locations in Western Kansas area.

Must be capable of installing a satellite dish on roof top. Valid driver’s license, good driving record, pass background check and physical. High School diploma or equivalent.

Must be capable of lifting 80 lbs., company vehicle provided. Weekends required. Will train.

Apply online at: www.gtech.com/careers or Email kathy.pfannenstiel@gtech.com or send resume to: GTECH Corp., 128 N. Kansas Ave., Suite 101 Topeka, KS 66603, Attn: Bob Heptig.

28t2p

Remember to call us!

620-872-2090

*with your new address*

So we can make sure your paper makes the move too.

*Please note: Change of address cards at the Post Office DO NOT apply to newspapers and magazines.

406 Main • Box 377 Scott City, Ks. 67871

LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGE? WE WILL CHALLENGE YOU TO DO THE BEST WORK OF YOUR LIFE. Compass Behavioral Health is currently looking to fill the following position at our Scott City location.

Mental Health Assistant /C.N.A. self motivated individual will provide children and youth assistance in the form of support, supervision, and/or cuing that enables children and youth to accomplish tasks and engage in activities in their homes, schools, or communities. Also, must have completed the C.N.A program and be on the Kansas State Registry. Completion of a CMA is preferred by not required. Applicants must be 21 years of age. Base pay starting at $10.50/hr., also additional compensation is given for experience.

All candidates must pass KBI, SRS, motor vehicle screens, and have a valid driver’s license and be willing to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the consumer and family.

Benefits include: retirement fully vested at time of employment, health/dental insurance-portion of premium paid by agency, life insurance and long-term disability-premium paid by agency, holiday, bereavement and vacation/sick days.

Applications are available at: 210 West 4th, Scott City, KS 67871 or www.compassbh.org Applications/Resumes can be sent to: E-mail hr@compassbh.org or faxed to 620-272-0171 Compass Behavioral Health Attn: HR PO Box 853, Garden City, KS 67846.

27t3c

GRAIN OPERATOR Now Hiring!!

Bartlett Grain, has an immediate opening for a hard working operator. This is a year-round position with opportunity for overtime. You will be involved in grain operations at both our Scott City and Healy elevators.

Bartlett offers competitive wages along with great benefits: health and life insurance premiums paid 100% for employee, dental, vision, 401k with company match, profit sharing and paid vacation.

Apply in person or send resume: Bartlett Grain Company, L.P. 305 W. Bellevue, Scott City, Ks. 67871 Fax: 816-753-1775 jobs@bartlett-grain.com or call Matt in HR 800-860-7290

EOE/AA/D/V/Drug Screen/Background Checks

27t3c

SERVICE TECHNICIAN American Implement, Inc., a progressive John Deere agricultural dealership in Southwest Kansas, is experiencing significant growth and is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of Service Technician in the Scott City location.

Responsibilities are to analyze, troubleshoot and perform electrical and mechanical repairs on agricultural equipment. Experience in maintenance and repair of automotive, diesel or heavy equipment required.

Qualified applicants must own a set of tools to perform the functions of the job.

American Implement offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package, which includes life, health and supplemental insurance, 401(k) plan and a quarterly incentive bonus program.

Interested applicants may send a cover letter and resume to: Tyler Kough Location Manager PO Box 20, Scott City, KS, 67871 or Call: (800) 779-7244 or (620)872-7244.

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SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL HAS OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS PATIENT CARE Acute Care RNs Physical Therapist Respiratory Therapist Operating Room RN C.N.A.s Clinic RN/LPN Clinic Medical Assistant ADMINISTRATIVE Foundation Director EXECUTIVE Chief Operating Officer CLERICAL Ward Clerk DME Sales and Billing Clerk SERVICE PRN Cashier Aide/Cook Housekeeping Aide Applicants for these positions are required to be able to read, speak and understand English.

Pre-employment physical, drug/alcohol screening, immunization titer, physical assessment and TB skin test required. We are a tobacco free campus.

We offer competitive pay and great benefits.

Due to our recent expansion of services and rapid growth, we are in need of Acute Care RNs and are offering financial incentives.

Applications are available on our website at www.scotthospital.net or call 620-872-7772 for more information.

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The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, February 19, 2015

The future of ag Scott City FFA 2014-15 Results Parliamentary Law •1st Overall 1st in Ritual 1st in Par-Law Demo Master Ritual Abe Wiebe and Trace Mulligan Greenhand Conference • 3rd Place Emily Glenn, 2nd Trella Davis, 7th Scott County Land Judging • 1st Place Trace Mulligan, 2nd Chandler Janssen, 3rd Macy Davis, 5th Eddie Tilton, 7th Area Land Judging • 3rd Place Trace Mulligan, 7th Chandler Janssen, 10th Ag Sales • 2nd Place Trace Mulligan, 4th Emily Buxton, 5th Wyatt Eitel, 7th Speech Contest Macy Davis, 2nd, Sr. Speech Emily Glenn, 2nd, Jr. Speech Emily Buxton, 4th, Sr. Speech Chance Jones, 4th, Jr. Speech

Scott Community High School FFA officers for 2014-15 are (front row, from left) Trace Mulligan, reporter; Macy Davis, president; and Reid Flower, sentinel. (Back row) Asher Huck, secretary; Cooper Griffith, treasurer; and Abe Wiebe, vice president. Not pictured are Christian Wolfe, parliamentarian, and StuCo representatives Lane Hayes and Chance Jones.

Ag Mechanics • 2nd Place Lane Hayes and Hayden Webster OPSU Contests Sr. Livestock, 1st Meats Judging, 4th Ag Mechanics, 4th Trace Mulligan, 2nd Asher Huck, 9th Hayden Webster, 8th Chance Jones, 8th Emily Glenn, 10th

Activities Work Auction State Fair Trip Christmas Party Fruit and Cheese Sales Corn Picking Denver Stock Show and Ski Trip

Thank these Scott City businesses for sponsoring the promotion of the Scott County FFA program Midwest Mixer Service, LLC 40. E. Rd 160, Scott City 872-7251

Scott Coop Assn.

410 E. 1st, Scott City 620-872-5823 • 800-931-COOP www.scottcoop.com

Farm Credit of SW Ks Helena Chemical Co. 1422 S. Main • Box 140 Scott City 872-5391 www.farmcreditconnect.com

1711 S. Main St., Scott City 872-2156 Fax: 620-872-3839

Sourk Veterinary Clinic

State Farm

1801 S. Hwy. 83, Scott City 872-7211 • Fax: 872-7212

Michael Trout, Agent 872-5374 michael@troutagency.com www.troutagency.com

ADM Grain

Shallow Water - 872-2174 Selkirk - 375-3574 • Leoti - 375-4811

1102 S. Main, Scott City (620) 872-2679 • 800-401-2683 www.chamblessroofing.com

J&R Car and Truck

Precision Ag & Seed Services

208 W. 5th St., Scott City 872-2103 www.jrcarandtruck.com

1550 W. Rd., 70, Scott City • 872-5242 www.vffarms.com

Z Bottling Corp.

Turner Sheet Metal

907 W. 5th Street, Scott City 872-0100

Stevens Veterinary Services

Bartlett Grain

Sagers Pump Service

305 W. Bellevue 872-3456

303 Glenn St., Scott City 872-2101 • 888-816-2101

Western State Bank

Wheatland Broadband

Wheatland Electric

210 Meadowlark Ln., Scott City 872-2727

Chambless Roofing, Inc.

1851 S. Hwy. 83, Scott City 872-2954

Spencer Pest Control Box 258, 200 E. Rd. 140, Scott City 872-2870

AgMax Crop Insurance

1425 S. Main, Scott City 872-2227

416 S. Main St., Scott City 866-872-0006 • 872-0006 www.wbsnet.org

101 Main, Scott City 872-5885 weci.net

815 West 5th St., Scott City 872-2900 hugh.binns@agmaxinsurance.com

Norder Supply, Inc.

First National Bank

American Implement

Heartland Foods

501 Main St., Scott City 872-2143

807 N. Main, Scott City 872-7244

1314 S. Main, Scott City 872-5854

HRC Feed Yard, LLC

Berning Auction

Sharp Brothers Seed

Western Kansas Insurance Services

Richards Financial Services

Braun’s Butcher Block

250 N. Pawnee Rd., Scott City 872-3058

6550 W Hwy 96, Scott City 872-5328 hrcfeed.com

The Rec Pool Hall

P.O. Box Q, Leoti 620-375-4130

Scott County Hospital

318 S. Main, Scott City

201 Albert Ave., Scott City 872-5811

Scott Pro

J.F. Beaver Advertising

872-2189

514 S. Main, Scott City 872-2395

P.O. Box 140, Healy 620-398-2231

411 S. Main, Scott City 872-5949

L&M Western Tire 1503 Main, Scott City 872-3393

www.hughbinns.com

310 Court, Scott City 872-5866

212 Main, Scott City 872-7238

Midwest Energy, Inc.