The Scott County Record

32 Pages • Four Sections

Volume 23 • Number 21

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Published in Scott City, Ks.

$1 single copy

Cost, communication behind city, FBO split After eight years at the Scott City Airport - the last five as the fixed base operator (FBO) - Weston Thompson’s official capacity with the airport comes to an end at midnight on Dec. 31 when a new FBO will assume duties.

Thompson admits he has mixed emotions about his departure, which was evident when he submitted his resignation in September, only to be

followed by a proposal to the city on November 30 to continue as the FBO. “At the time I turned in my resignation I felt it was time to move on. I’d gone as far as I could with the circumstances as they are now,” noted Thompson. “But I have a loyal customer base and I try to return that loyalty. A number of people asked me to put in a proposal anyway so I did.”

By that time, however, there were two other proposals on the table and Thompson never got as much as an interview from the Airport Committee who was assigned with the task of recommending a new FBO to the city council.

The cost between Thompson’s proposal and the low bid was too big to ignore, according to one committee member. The difference - $54,000 annually

- was large enough that it made an interview with the FBO “impractical.”

“The bid didn’t go my way and I can accept that,” says Thompson.

What does bother him is the lack of understanding about airport operations by individuals who were responsible for recommending the FBO contract and the lack of communication which Thompson feels has

The Scott County treasurer has reported receiving $8.8 million in property tax payments through Dec. 23. The deadline for first half taxes to be paid without penalty was Dec. 21.

That represents 65 percent of the $13,643,384 in payments that are due to the treasurer’s office. Those who didn’t pay their taxes in full have until May 20 to make their second half payment.

Treasurer Lark Speer says she has about a dozen payments that were made under protest. In those instances, the payment has been made to avoid a penalty, but must be held in an escrow account. A tax appeal hearing is required in order to determine whether the county is entitled to the full amount or whether the taxpayer is due a refund.

Landmark Resources, an oil and natural gas exploration company, has made three payments under protest, the largest of which is more than $245,000. The other two amount to about $31,000, according to Speer.

The other protests are for smaller amounts and involve real estate.

It’s hard to imagine coping with the murder of a family member.

For the family of Dr. Bryan Rein, it’s a tragedy that has continued to be a part of their lives nearly 20 years after their son and brother was murdered at his home near Geraldine, Mont.

It’s an event they had to live through again during a three-week murder trial this past September.

And it’s a story that will The Dateline get national exposure when episode featuring it’s featured on an upcoming the Dr. Bryan Rein episode of the television series murder trial will be aired on Fri., Jan. “Dateline” (to be aired Jan. 8).

8, at 9:00 p.m.

“There comes a point where you want it to be over,” says Teresa Noll, Scott City, one of Bryan’s two younger sisters.

The family was particularly receptive to telling the story on “Dateline” after Bryan’s alleged killer was found not guilty.

“We couldn’t just walk away with people saying the things they did about Bryan and not fight back,” says Noll. “It’s not fair to Bryan and how his friends and family knew him.”

Rein’s murder was compelling enough to be brought to trial after sitting on the shelf as a cold case for almost two decades.

It’s the story of an angry ex-boyfriend, an outsider who had moved into a tight-knit rural community, a murder that wasn’t initially ruled a suicide and then what appeared to be a cover-up of the crime.

In other words, a story that “Dateline” found too interesting to pass up.

(See DATELINE on page eight)

(See FBO on page two)

Property tax collections top $8.8M

TV show to re-examine murder of Scott City veterinarian that took 19 years to go to trial

Murdered in 1996 Rein, a Scott City native, was 31-years-old when he moved to Geraldine and purchased a veterinary clinic in northern Montana’s cattle country.

affected his ability to do his job.

“I’m surprised that more people with the Airport (Commission) weren’t involved in the (FBO) selection process,” he said. “Not everyone on the committee had knowledge of what the FBO does and what all goes on at the airport.”

Equally surprised at the FBO selection process was former city councilman and current

Holiday hours

Bryan Rein is photographed with his niece, Amelia Vasko, just six months before his murder in 1996.

The Scott County Courthouse and City Hall in Scott City will be open on New Year’s Eve, but closed on Friday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday.

Interpretative center is top story of 2015 It’s been a year of progress and promise for Scott County as 2015 draws to a close.

Following are the top stories that appeared in The Record. * * * After spending years on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ wish list, the El Quartelejo interpretative center may become a reality within the next three years.

An event was held at Lake Scott in October which included Gov. Sam Brownback and

top officials with the KDWPT announcing an effort to kickoff funding for the $1 million center. Leading the effort will be Scott City native and artist Jerry Thomas.

“I’m very excited that I was asked to do this given how much the history of this area means to me, but it’s also a huge challenge,” says Thomas, who is also director of The Jerry Thomas Gallery and Collection which is part of

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

(See CENTER on page 25)

Scott County Farm Bureau earns honors as one of state’s best Page 11

C.A. ‘Cat’ Tsosie, an elder with the Picuris Pueblo in New Mexico, was among dignitaries and guests in attendance for the interpretative center announcement in October.

(Record Photo)

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

Health care • Pages 14-15 Sports • Pages 17-23 First baby contest • Page 24 Farm section • Pages 26-27 Classified ads • Pages 29-31

Beavers add to their championship tradition during 2015 Page 17

The Scott County Record • Page 2 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

FBO Airport Commission member Andy Hineman.

“I’m sorry to say the airport board is a little in the dark as to what’s transpired,” says Hineman, who is also a pilot.

Hineman was blindsided when Thompson submitted his resignation as FBO in late September.

“I knew there were some things that were causing Weston to be frustrated, but his resignation was a shock to all of us,” he says.

Perhaps more surprising was the Airport Commission’s lack of involvement in the search process for a new FBO. The Airport Commission consists of Hineman, Randall Loder, Gary Eitel, Keith Burgess, Perry Nowak and Pat Ryan. The only members serving on the search committee appointed by the mayor were City Council members Nowak and Eitel, along with Councilwoman Barb Wilkinson and City Attorney John Shirley.

“I sent e-mails to the city council and mayor. I asked about (the commission) being involved and I was told it was going to be an internal process,” Hineman says. “I was told this would be confidential since it involved a city employee.

“It bothered us that the airport board was being left in the dark. I would think that being involved in the process of selecting a FBO and making a recommendation to the council would be one of our responsibilities,” he said. “We have people on the advisory board who are pilots and who have a good understanding of what’s involved in managing the airport. That experience should have been utilized.”

Lack of Protocol One of Thompson’s big frustrations while FBO has been a “lack of protocol for getting things done.”

At the top of that list has been the long wait for a new door to be installed on the main hangar. For the past few years, the city council has been hoping to get that cost picked up by a FAA grant, but it’s been denied. It wasn’t until November the coun-

(continued from page one)

cil accepted a bid for a new door to be installed in the spring of 2016.

The long wait has been an issue for pilots and the FBO. “Once you open the doors all the way you can’t pull them shut without the aid of a tug or a pickup,” he says. “This is something which should never have gone this long to get fixed.”

Another concern is the availability of emergency power at the airport. Several years ago, an emergency generator was acquired and it was eventually hooked up to the main hangar.

“At the time, a major lighting project was in the process of being done and we wanted to make sure it was completed before the generator was connected with the light vault,” says Thompson, referring to the central power source that operates the runway lighting and Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) that provides updated weather data.

That project was completed a couple of years ago and, while conduit was laid underground connecting the generator with the light vault, it includes no wiring.

According to city engineer Darin Neufeld, the lighting project, and even the conduit, could be included in a federal grant. Wiring that connects the generator to the light vault has to be paid for with local funds.

“Everything’s in place.

It’s just a matter of running the wire and throwing the switch whenever you need emergency power,” says Neufeld.

“One of these days that’s going to be an issue,” warns Thompson.

He says there has already been one recent instance when Scott City was without power for about 45 minutes at the same time an EagleMed aircraft was waiting to receive a patient from the Scott County Hospital.

Without electricity the ASOS was inoperable and without current weather data the EagleMed aircraft was grounded.

“Because of that, they were waiting to decide when they should transfer the patient to the aircraft,” noted Thompson.

“Luckily, the power came back on before it became a bigger issue.

“But the conduit is still empty and there’s no emergency power to the light vault the next time it’s needed.”

Rental/Charter Question Thompson also feels that his responsibility in providing rental aircraft and charter flight service was misrepresented at a recent council meeting when it was mentioned by a councilman that a plane was not available for rental.

Under terms of the FBO contract, Thompson was required to have a Cessna 172 or similar aircraft on hand.

“Unless it was already being rented at the time, we’ve always had an airplane available,” noted Thompson.

As for charter aircraft, that’s a more complicated matter. Thompson said there are only two charter services in Western Kansas and he was always able to make arrangements with Crotts Aviation in Dodge City when necessary.

Under the new FBO agreement, Frontier Ag is not required to provide either a rental aircraft or charter service.

In a meeting earlier this week with representatives of Frontier Ag, Hineman says the availability of a rental airplane “was at the top of the list.”

“It’s critical to have rental aircraft in Scott City. We were told that, at some point, it’s their intent to provide a rental aircraft, but they didn’t feel comfortable in having one available on January 1,” Hineman says. “They’re looking at options.”

And since that’s not included in the FBO contract, Frontier Ag is under no legal obligation to provide one. The availability of a rental is an important service for pilots who have a plane being repaired and who need a loaner, says Thompson.

That could also have an impact on the Spencer Flight and Education Center whose flight simulator is used for instruction.

“If you don’t have a rental available it will have an impact on flight

instruction and use of the flight center,” predicts Thompson.

Scott City Aviation was the biggest user of the simulator this past year, logging about 80 hours of flight time.

“We made sure that Frontier Ag understood this. We don’t expect charity, but it’s an important asset that should be used by pilots and students,” said Hineman.

didn’t change during his five years as FBO. “Costs keep going up,” he noted. “As you get further into the contract you have to work harder for every dollar.”

As for the 50 percent increase in his basic bid - from $60,000 annually to $90,000 - Thompson says, “I understand that I was the high bidder. I also understand what the job involves.”

“By the time you pay employees, their benefits, all the insurances, utilities, and more, you end up with a lot of expenses.

But the city knew that we were going to be there every day and we had at least two mechanics on the site at all times, and sometimes more. The city didn’t have to worry about those things.

“To continue the level of services that we’ve been providing, I couldn’t make it work for $36,000.

We put in a lot of hours in order to make the airport run the way it has the last five years,” he says. “If I only had to have someone manage the hangar, pump gas and do some light duty stuff, we could do it a lot cheaper, but that’s not what people who rely on the airport expect.”

Mechanics Available Another concern at the top of the Airport Commission’s list is the availability of aircraft mechanics.

In addition to Thompson, there was one part-time and two fulltime mechanics at the airport. One of the current mechanics was offered a job by Frontier Ag but declined. Hineman said he was also told during a meeting with the new FBO that two other applicants have since decided against coming to Scott City.

“They’ve assured us we will have a mechanic on the ground here,” says Hineman.

That’s an issue which was to be addressed during another meeting between the Airport Commission and Frontier Poor Communication An issue that Ag on Wednesday afterThompson feels needs to noon. be addressed with the new FBO coming on board, Cost a Big Factor On more than one occa- and for everyone involved sion, Airport Committee in airport operations, is members cited cost as the better communication.

“For as long as I’ve reason that Thompson’s been around there haven’t proposal to renew his been regular meetFBO agreement did not receive consideration and ings scheduled with the why he wasn’t brought in Airport Commission. We get together when somefor an interview.

Thompson under- thing comes up, if there’s a project of some kind,” stands.

The bid from Frontier he says. “We need to be Ag that was accepted meeting every month, by the city council costs or at least every other $3,500 per month, com- month.”

If he has concerns pared to $5,000 per month about something at the that was being paid to Thompson - a difference airport, Thompson says he has “leaned on” the of $18,000 per year.

Thompson’s latest pro- commission members posal included four tiers who are regular pilots of rates which were based such as Keith Burgess, on the level of service the Randall Loder and Andy city felt it wanted. Those Hineman - “because I see proposals ranged from a them more and they know low of $90,000 annually, what I’m talking about.”

While Thompson will upwards to $180,000.

Thompson points out no longer be involved in that the $5,000 monthly the airport management, fee he had been receiving he agrees with Hineman

who suggested to the city council recently that meetings should be held monthly over the next six months while planning for airport projects, including possible hangar construction. However, he feels those meetings should extend beyond the next six months and should also involve the FBO and Airport Commission members giving regular updates to the city council “so nothing is lost in translation.”

Thompson says he has no hard feelings about the process or the end result.

“And I wish John Holzmeister (aviation manager for Frontier Ag) the best,” he adds. “I feel we’ve accomplished a lot over the last eight years and I hope to see it continue. I feel Scott City has a first-rate airport and it’s something the community needs.”

Likewise, Hineman credits Thompson and his employees for all that’s been accomplished during the past five years.

“I’m sorry that Weston turned in his resignation, but it’s done and we all need to move forward from here,” Hineman says. “Frontier Ag has told us that even though they weren’t actively seeking the FBO position when they decided to bring their (aerial) spraying business here, they also see this as a great opportunity. We want to work with them and do everything we can to keep this airport moving forward. It’s too important to Scott City.”

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The Scott County Record

Community Living

Page 3 - Thursday, December 31, 2015

Keeping your space clean to prevent illness It’s cold outside and we are cooped up inside sharing our space with others.

To help prevent illnesses and then passing them on, it’s important that we keep our shared space as clean as possible.

Here is a bit on furniture.

Upholstered furniture many times gets neglected when it comes to cleaning. Without regular care, even the most durable upholstery will look old and worn before its time.

To prolong the furniture’s life, the Soap and Detergent Association

offers the following tips.

First on the care agenda is regular vacuuming. This simple operation removes the tiny bits of dust, food and dirt that can cause so much damage.

When ground into the upholstery, these particles can make the fabric look dingy and cause premature wear. Use headrest

Recipe favorites . . .

Meatballs in Creamy Dill Sauce Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 14 minutes Ingredients 1 pound 1 1/3 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon 1 medium 2 cups 2 tablespoons 1 4 oz. can 1/4 cup 2 tablespoons 6 ounces

lean ground beef egg bread crumbs fat-free milk salt black pepper onion, thinly sliced reduced-sodium beef broth all-purpose flour sliced mushrooms, drained reduced-fat sour cream snipped fresh dill egg noodles, cooked following package directions Steamed broccoli (optional) Directions In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, milk and 1/4 tsp each of the salt and pepper.

Form into 16 meatballs.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; coat with nonstick cooking spray. Add onion and cook 2 minutes. Combine broth and flour; add to skillet. Bring to a simmer. Add mushrooms, meatballs and remaining 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper. Cook 12 minutes, turning meatballs once, until temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Stir in sour cream and dill off heat.

Serve with noodles and, if desired, steamed broccoli.

Yield: 4 servings

and armrest covers to provide extra protection from body soils.

If cushions are reversible, turn them over from time to time to prevent sagging and even out the wear.

To prevent fading, keep the furniture out of direct sunlight. If this isn’t possible, rearrange the room periodically.

Most upholstery fabrics are treated with topical stain protectors. Check the furniture labels and hangtags. If the fabric was not treated, consider

a home or professional application.

Since all these protectors are applied to the fabric’s surface, they will eventually wear off. To extend the life of the fabric, the protector should be reapplied every few years.

When spots and stains occur, treat them immediately. To prevent the stain from spreading, always work from the outer edge of the spot to the center. Use a spoon to gently scrape off solids.

Use a dry, white paper towel to blot up spills.

Continue blotting, using a clean portion of the toweling, until the spill is absorbed.

The next step is to use a upholstery cleaner. Before doing this, check the furniture care label, then choose a cleaner that is compatible with the care instructions or, if indicated, consult a professional cleaner.

Read and follow the label directions on the upholstery cleaner package. Before applying a cleaner to the spot, test it on an inconspicuous place for color fastness.

For both testing and actual stain removal, apply the cleaner to a towel, then dab the stain with the moistened towel.

Avoid over-wetting. It will only spread the stain.

Blot, don’t scrub.

Continue, working patiently until all the color from the stain has been transferred to the towel.

When finished, blot the area dry or use a portable hair dryer.

By giving furniture attention from the time it is purchased you will have a product that will serve for many years.

The Scott County Record

Editorial/Opinion

Page 4 - Thursday, December 31, 2015

editorially speaking

Too many questions: Lack of transparency in awarding FBO contract

For the biggest majority of people in Scott County, our connection with the airport is limited to attending the air show or perhaps the youth aviation day at the Spencer Flight and Education Center.

But just because it doesn’t play a significant part in the everyday lives of most people doesn’t mean the airport isn’t a critical part of our community. It’s important to health care for the medical specialists who regularly visit Scott County Hospital, as well as transporting patients during medical emergencies.

And it also fills an important role in economic development activities.

For those reasons, the hiring of a fixed base operator (FBO) is something that affects many of us.

We’ve experienced a time when the FBO was little more than a caretaker and we’ve also seen what can happen when the FBO chooses to take a very active role in generating more business at the airport by providing full-time mechanics, flight instruction and the other services that are essential to local pilots and those who are simply passing through.

There’s no doubt that the airport has taken a huge step forward during the past five years under the direction of FBO Weston Thompson. Even former airport manager Chuck Smith acknowledged as much during a recent city council meeting.

His departure is unfortunate. Equally unfortunate is the process that was used to find his replacement.

It was a process that leaves a lot more questions than answers, such as: •It’s a bit puzzling as to why a separate committee was appointed to handle the interview process when we already have an Airport Commission.

The commission includes individuals who are active pilots and have knowledge of airport operations. That wasn’t true of all the committee members given the responsibility of making a recommendation to the city council.

•Even when members of the Airport Commission requested to be involved in the FBO search process they were turned away.

“I was told it was going to be an internal process,” says Airport Commission member Andy Hineman.

Why would the city council not want to lean on the expertise of the Airport Commission?

•If having rental and charter service at the airport were important enough to be included in past FBO contracts, why are they no longer important enough to include in the contract that takes effect January 1?

Having a rental aircraft is an important part of airport operations. It’s been emphasized that this is essential in providing flight instruction.

The lack of a rental aircraft will reportedly impair the ability to offer instruction and to fully utilize the flight simulator at the Spencer Flight and Education Center.

The new FBO has indicated plans to have a rental aircraft available, but how soon hasn’t been specified. And, with the current contract, they are under no obligation.

•What of mechanics on staff?

With Thompson as the FBO, there were two full-time mechanics on staff, plus himself and a part-time mechanic. This is an issue that members of the Airport Commission have addressed with the new FBO. “They’ve assured us they will have a mechanic on the ground here,” says Hineman.

Whether that’s one, or more than one, and how soon, are questions still to be answered.

We aren’t critical of Frontier Ag. They are meeting the terms of the contract as agreed to by the Scott City Council. The real issue is that the city council has seemingly entered into a contract in which it is settling for less in the way of services than what they were getting before.

Perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise.

The new FBO will provide his duties at an annual savings of $18,000 compared to what Thompson was receiving under his contract with the city.

Thompson’s latest proposal pushes those savings to $54,000 annually.

That’s a huge difference. Maybe too much difference.

Was there room for negotiation? We don’t know because the committee refused to meet with Thompson.

Could the Airport Commission have persuaded Thompson to accept less? Could it have persuaded the city council that Thompson’s proposal was still a good investment?

We don’t know because the commission’s advise wasn’t sought.

City Councilman Fred Kuntzsch expressed his surprise during the last meeting that the commission wasn’t more involved in the process.

Hineman feels the same way.

So do we.

Highway robbery under the dome When confronted about the state’s current method of transferring cash from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to the state’s general fund in order to avoid going into debt (which the state isn’t allowed to do) or cut department spending and services even more, State Sen. Ty Masterson (R-Andover) took exception to comparisons with federal government borrowing and spending.

He said any attempt to compare the two is “journalistic malpractice.”

The real malpractice is what followed in Masterson’s defense of the state’s new budget philosophy.

“Feds borrow to maintain high spending; we managed cash to reap long-term savings while reducing the typical growth curve of government spending.”

Sen. Masterson further explained how conservatives are doing so much better at managing long-term debt than their “Democrat or left-leaning Republican” colleagues in the statehouse, but the explanation was so convo-

luted as to make one wonder if Masterson is even trusted with the family checkbook.

Despite the budgetary confusion that reigns in Masterson’s world, what’s happening in Topeka is relatively simple.

Unlike the federal government, Kansas must balance its budget each year.

It’s a requirement that has served us well for many years - with Democrat and Republican governors and countless legislators. The philosophy is simple: you can’t spend more than you have. When preparing the next year’s budget it must not only balance, but have a surplus.

In one respect, the feds and Kansas are similar.

Sen. Masterson says the reason the feds borrow is to maintain high spending, which is partially true. It’s also because the federal government - like Kansas - fails to take in

enough revenue to cover its expenses.

Both also share a similar dilemma because of the belief in trickle-down economics which is a failure at any level of government, but which conservative lawmakers - including Gov. Brownback and his lackeys in the state legislature - insist will somehow, some way work despite the lessons learned from history.

Of course, it hasn’t worked. As tax revenue has taken a nosedive, state agencies have been forced to look for coins behind the sofa cushions in their offices, any spare cash in their accounts has been “swept away” into the general fund, staff positions are unfilled, and services are cut - the things one would expect when there isn’t enough money.

Rather than admit their tax philosophy has been a disaster - even as financial experts point to the looming crisis with the state budget - lawmakers, such as Sen. Masterson, refuse to consider rolling back their tax cuts. While waiting for an economic mira-

cle to occur, the governor and lawmakers have been forced to get creative.

Thank the Lord for KDOT. The current KDOT debt is a record-setting $2.1 billion following another $400 million in bonds which were recently issued by the state. But here’s where it gets interesting. This money isn’t being used just to build or repair highways, bridges or other transportation infrastructure. A substantial amount of this money is being transferred into the state’s general fund to cover up for budget shortages.

This is where the bookkeeping shenanigans are stunning. This year alone, Brownback and the legislature have transferred $436 million from the highway fund into the general fund. That brings total KDOT transfers during the Brownback Administration to $1.6 billion.

That’s $1.6 billion which was supposed to be spent on highway infrastructure in the state but (See FISCAL on page six)

ESSA will leave children behind The nation’s capital is experiencing something of a thaw in polarization and partisanship. And the largest iceberg that has broken free is the Every Student Succeeds Act, the most consequential education reform in the past 15 years.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate education committee, called it a “Christmas present” to American children.

President Obama proclaimed it a “Christmas miracle.”

The president of the American Federation of Teachers said the law marks “a new day in public education.”

What does this mean for students? Let’s start, as educators are wont to say, with a review.

In 2001, No Child Left Behind, the last major federal education reform,

Where to Write

another view by Michael Gerson

mandated yearly testing in the basics of reading and math for children in third through eighth grades.

Schools were required to show yearly progress for students of every background (including every racial background).

If a school consistently failed, it was required to implement reforms and, in the worst cases, hire new teachers and reorganize. The law set the utopian goal that every child should be “proficient” in reading and math by 2014.

The whole thing was a mess from the start.

Failing schools didn’t like to be labeled failures, because it made administrators feel as though they were, like, you know, failing or something. Many

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

teachers didn’t like the relentless emphasis on testing, which ate into their time for the unmeasurable joys of learning.

California Gov. Jerry Brown spoke for many when he recalled the formative prep school experience of an exam that consisted entirely of one question, asking students to give their impressions of a green leaf.

That question, he said, has “haunted me for 50 years.”

“You can’t put that on a standardized test,” he explained.

The Every Student Succeeds Act ends the back-seat driving of the federal government in education policy. State and local officials will be free to set academic goals and to determine if schools are meeting them.

While the law still mandates consequences for the

Sen. Pat Roberts 109 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

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

worst-performing schools, states will determine what those consequences are.

Student testing will still take place, but it won’t mean as much. This, according to Obama, will relieve “undue stress for educators and students.”

California, for example, is so happy to be free from the tyranny of testing that it has suspended the California High School Exit Examination and ordered schools to retroactively reward diplomas to students who failed the test during the last decade.

It has also suspended its Academic Performance Index, which allowed parents to see how the test scores achieved by their local school compare with scores at other schools.

In California, accountability will be imposed according to “multiple (See ESSA 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, December 31, 2015

Trump destroys the GOP by calling their bluff

by Eugene Robinson

History will remember 2015 as the year when The Republican Party As We Knew It was destroyed by Donald Trump. An entity called the GOP will survive - but can never be the same.

Am I overstating Trump’s impact, given that not a single vote has been cast?

Hardly. I’m not sure it’s possible to exaggerate how the Trump phenomenon has torn the party apart, revealing a chasm between establishment and base that is far too wide to bridge with stale Reagan-era rhetoric.

Can you picture the Trump legions meekly falling in line behind Jeb Bush or Sen. Marco Rubio? I can’t either.

Trump didn’t blow up the party on his own. He had help from a field of presidential contenders that was touted as deep

and talented but proved shallow and wanting. Bush raised shock-and-awe money but turns out to lack his father and brother’s skill at performing on the national stage; he seems to want to be crowned, not elected.

Rubio is like the teacher’s pet who speaks eloquently in class but doesn’t do his homework.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was slow off the mark, perhaps having been stuck in traffic on the George Washington Bridge.

Who else would be acceptable to the GOP establishment?

Certainly not Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.). Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and Ohio Gov. John Kasich all had their glory days in the last century. Carly Fiorina has never held elective office.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Rick Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. Lindsey

Trump has given voice to the ugliness and anger that the party spent years encouraging and exploiting. He let the cat out of the bag, and it’s hungry.

Graham (S.C.) have come and gone.

At year’s end, the campaign is dominated by three candidates who appeal over the heads of the establishment and straight to the unruly base: Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), who negates the fact that he is a sitting senator by waging all-out war against the party leadership; Ben Carson, a distinguished neurosurgeon who seems increasingly out of his depth; and Trump, the undeniable front-runner.

What Trump has done is call out the establishment on years of dishonest rhetoric. Progressives often asked why so many work-

ing-class whites went against their own economic interests by supporting the GOP. The answer is that Republicans appealed to these voters on cultural grounds, subtly exploiting their resentments and fears.

The nation’s demographics are changing, with a rapidly growing Latino population - and an African American in the White House. Globalization has hollowed out the middle class. We are living in a multicultural society and there’s no going back.

The Republican Party promised - with nods, winks and dog-whistle toots - to change all of this and make everything the way it used to be. In practice, however, party leaders were compelled to deal with the world as it actually is.

Hence, for example, the establishment view a couple of years ago in favor of compre-

hensive immigration reform.

Enter Trump, who has the temerity to point out that the party establishment says one thing but does another. He launched his campaign by calling the GOP’s bluff on immigration: If the 11 million people here without documents are really “illegal,” as the party loudly proclaims, then send them home.

Other candidates were put in the position of having to explain why, after claiming that President Obama was somehow “soft” on immigration, their position on allowing the undocumented to stay is basically the same.

Similarly, many leading Republicans were careful not to offend the “birthers” who denied Obama’s legitimacy as president.

(See TRUMP on page six)

Financial case for ditching fossil fuels gets stronger

by Emily Schwartz Greco

Costs for public ed keep piling up

by Jim Hightower

Public education used to be, you know, public - as in: An essential societal investment for the betterment of all, paid for by all through school taxes.

In addition to privatization schemes to turn education over to corporate profiteers, public schools themselves have steadily been perverting the idea of free education into one of “fee education.”

This is a product of the budget slashing frenzy imposed on our schools in the past 15 years or so by Koch-headed, antipublic ideologues and unimaginative, acquiescent education officials.

Beset by budget cuts, too

many school systems are accommodating the slashers by shifting the cost of educating America’s future from the general society to the parents of students who’re presently enrolled.

Want to play a sport, take a class trip to a museum, or participate in a debate tournament?

Pay a fee. Want art, music, drama, or other cultural courses?

Pay a fee. Need a uniform? Pay a fee.

And now comes a new level of monetizing public education: The ubiquitous yellow school bus. Yes, just getting to and from school is increasingly being treated not as a necessary public service, but as a private “luxury” to be billed to the families of students.

Districts in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Texas, and elsewhere are charging around $400 a year per child. For the poor and the downwardly-mobile middle class that’s a real hit - yet another barrier to educational access for America’s majority.

What’s next - a daily debitcard deduction for kids to enter a classroom?

If our society won’t even pay for bus rides, how’re we going to get to the future we want for our children?

It’s time to reject the smallminded budget-slashers, reinvest fully in public education, and get America moving again.

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

Investors who choose to steer clear of oil, gas, and coal are protecting their portfolios in the short term and the long run.

Who has divested lately?

The fast-growing list includes the University of California, insurance giant Allianz, the German city of Munster, and the London School of Economics. Portfolios that add up to a total of $3.4 trillion are now either entirely fossil-free or exclude specific kinds of dirty energy like coal and tar sands.

Rather than punishing the people and institutions who commit this act of climate kindness, financial markets are rewarding them. Shunning fossil fuels has boosted returns for the past decade, as measured by a specialized index the financial tracking firm MSCI manages.

And while markets and energy trends are hard to predict, you don’t need a crystal ball to see that 2016 looks like a terrible year to bet on fossil fuels.

For one thing, OPEC just passed up an opportunity to cut its oil production. Oil prices, already driven low enough to gut profits worldwide due to oversupply, are diving again.

How low will they go?

Even before OPEC made news by doing nothing, Goldman Sachs analysts were forecasting $20 a barrel - about half of recent levels and more than 80 percent below mid-2014 highs.

As consensus builds around

Even before OPEC made news by doing nothing, Goldman Sachs analysts were forecasting $20 a barrel - about half of recent levels and more than 80 percent below mid-2014 highs.

a “lower for longer” oil outlook, U.S. natural gas prices are slumping due to a glut in that fuel too.

Then there’s the coal industry’s financial freefall. The leading coal exchange-traded fund (ETF), known as KOL, had lost nearly 55 percent of its value by early December, after suffering double-digit declines for the prior four years.

KOL joined several natural gas ETFs on a list of the worst performers in that asset class during the first nine months of 2015.

With bankruptcy and debt distress in store next year for the oil and gas industries, according to Fortune, the purely financial case for going fossil-free is getting stronger.

Do you want to invest in S&P 500 companies, aside from any oil, gas, and coal outfits? Financial firm State Street Global Advisors partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council to create a low-carbon vehicle that lets you do that now.

Better yet, invest some money in the industries bound to replace fossil fuels, such as renewable energy and other climate-friendly technologies.

One option is FAN, a wind ETF. It had gained more than 10 percent through the first week (See FOSSIL on page six)

Pledges made in Paris won’t be enough Fighting climate change requires more than soothing fantasies On climate change, curb your enthusiasm. It’s not that the recent international conference in Paris didn’t take significant steps to check global warming.

It did. Nearly 200 countries committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of limiting warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) from preindustrial times was reaffirmed. The trouble is that what’s being attempted is so fundamentally difficult that even these measures may be wildly unequal to the task.

behind the headlines

by Robert Samuelson

What’s being attempted, of course, is the wholesale replacement of the world economy’s reliance on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) for four-fifths of its energy. To be sure, the shift is envisioned to take decades, four or five at a minimum. Still, the vast undertaking may exceed human capability.

Hence, a conundrum. Without energy, the world economy shuts down, threatening economic and social chaos. But the consequences of climate change, assuming the scientific consensus is accurate, are also grim - from rising sea levels

(threatening coastal cities) to harsher droughts (reducing food supplies).

It’s useful to split the discussion into two parts. On the existence of human-driven warming, I accept the dominant scientific view, mainly because I’m not technically qualified to dispute it.

But I have doubted that, without major breakthroughs in energy technology, we can do much about warming. The addiction to fossil fuels will triumph.

Paris confirms that view.

Rather than show how much progress we’ve made, it demonstrates how little maneuvering room we have. Consider some estimates from IHS, a consulting company.

In 2012, it reports, the world

generated 45 gigatons of greenhouse gases, up 50 percent since 1990. Without new policies, that total would rise to 60 gigatons by 2030, IHS projects. But the national pledges made in Paris would hold the 2030 total to 50 gigatons. That’s good news, right? Well, not exactly.

Limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius would require that emissions in 2030 drop to 35 gigatons, reckons IHS. So even with the Paris pledges, we’re about 40 percent above the goal.

Moreover, IHS thinks that some pledged cuts won’t materialize. They are political gestures or depend on unproven technologies. There are no enforcement mechanisms.

Renewable energy - mainly wind and solar power - is sup-

posed to rescue us. Quite likely, it won’t.

True, renewable energy is expanding rapidly in the United States. In the next two years, the solar industry expects to double its installed U.S. capacity. In 2014, wind generation was up 51 percent from 2011, according to government figures.

Moreover, costs are said to have fallen sharply. The wind industry puts its decline at 60 percent over the past four years; the solar industry reports a 70 percent drop since 2009.

But these achievements need to be qualified. For starters, renewables’ rapid growth comes off a tiny base. As a result, wind supplied only 4.4 percent of U.S. electricity in 2014. Solar’s contribution was smaller, (See PLEDGES on page six)

The Scott County Record • Page 6 • December 31, 2015

Looking back at a tough year for K-12 education Dr. Randy Watson became Kansas Commissioner of Education, overseeing the Kansas State Department of Education that spends 51 percent of state tax revenues in our schools across the state.

Commissioner Watson had been Superintendent of USD No. 418, the McPherson Public School district, one of the first districts to negotiate alternative assessments

under U.S.D.E. Secretary Duncan’s “Race to the Top” program that was enforcing No Child Left Behind testing.

After a statewide tour, Commissioner Watson advocated for the importance of soft skills in addition to tested subjects.

Exactly how these will be measured or promoted is yet to be seen. However, the outcomes for the “Kansans Can” vision and the hyperbole of “Kansas leads the world in the

Fossil

Fiscal

by John Schrock

(continued from page five)

of December, making it among 2015’s top performers. (Disclosure: I’ve both lost and made money over the years investing in the wind and solar power industries.)

As the Paris climate talks have made clear, the question is increasingly when, not if, the world will stop burning oil, gas, and coal. So the long-term case for abstaining from any investment in those businesses is even more powerful than current market malaise.

How powerful is it?

Those wild-eyed radicals at Citigroup have estimated what averting a climate catastrophe by leaving more than three quarters of oil, gas, and coal reserves underground or beneath the sea would cost.

The price tag for this collectively rational behavior, whether it will be due to government action or booming demand for environmentally friendlier options, is $100 trillion.

That huge number, which exceeds the combined value of the economy of every country on earth, has ominous implications for ExxonMobil and all of its competitors.

In any case, a global shift toward greener energy is already underway.

Acting now to protect your money from the financial risks associated with this upheaval - while putting it where your mouth is if you care about climate change - sends a message to energy companies and Wall Street.

And it just might speed up this monumental industrial transformation.

Emily Schwartz Greco is a former foreign correspondent and financial reporter

has surreptitiously disappeared. We gave Brownback and crew the key to the vault and they handed us a $1.6 billion IOU. The state constitution requires a balanced budget, which prevents borrowing to meet expenses such as occurs at the federal level. Instead, the governor and lawmakers are doing exactly the same thing by issuing longterm debt through KDOT

For the first time, some rural Kansas school districts faced shortages in applicants for elementary and vo-ag teachers. The science and special education teacher shortage is now so severe that many superintendents have given up finding qualified candidates.

success of each student” reminds many teachers of the unrealistic platitudes of NCLB (100 percent proficient by 2014) and the just-passed bipartisan “Every Student Succeeds Act.” Meanwhile, teachers had to look hard to find any positive state or fed-

eral legislative actions that halted the decline in K-12 education support in Kansas or across the nation.

The Kansas Legislature moved to block-grant funding, bragging that this increased school funding. In truth, the alleged increase incorporated

and vo-ag teachers. The science and special education teacher shortage is now so severe that many superintendents have given up finding qualified candidates.

In a few cases where local USD contracts permit it, Kansas science teachers are being hired at higher than pay scale - in effect, the first cases of differentiated teacher pay in the state.

is that what the U.S. Congress does is legal - highly irresponsible, but still legal. The Kansas Legislature’s budget actions are illegal which is why KDOT officials didn’t announce until two weeks after the fact - and only after inquiries from the media - that it had issued $400 million in additional bonds.

Being confronted with questions about how the

state is staying afloat through KDOT is what Sen. Masterson refers to as “journalistic malpractice.”

To the chagrin of Sen. Masters and his colleagues, they got caught.

The media is simply exposing the degree to which “fiscal malpractice” is occurring within the Kansas Legislature.

(See LOOKING on page 7)

(continued from page four)

- which it is allowed to do - but then passing that money onto various state agencies to keep their budgets from running dry.

This is wrong on two fronts.

First of all, bonds are to be issued for capital investment - not for day-today operations. To do the latter, you either generate enough revenue or cut costs. It’s that simple.

Secondly, lawmak-

ers are using KDOT as a backdoor means of circumventing the constitution.

Sen. Terry Bruce (RHutchinson) said it was “beyond a stretch to compare the budgetary practices of the Kansas Legislature with those of Congress.”

Not surprisingly, Sen. Bruce is wrong. We have every right to compare the two. The only difference

Pledges

Chilling CNN video has nation terrified

by Andy Borowitz

LAS VEGAS (The Borowitz Report) Authorities were urging people to remain calm following the broadcast of a chilling video that terrified millions.

The video, which was broadcast nationally on CNN, appeared to show nine extremists glaring into the camera and making a series of escalating threats.

The radicals’ increasingly violent rhetoric and palpable hatred rattled viewers across the nation, sources said.

Experts who viewed the video acknowledged that the words and images contained in it were alarming, but advised the public to remain calm until the extremists’ threats could be authenticated.

“At this point, there is no reason to believe that any of these individuals are credible,” one expert said.

But such assurances did little to soothe viewers like Carol Foyler, of Kansas City, who watched the video in horror. “These people are clearly dangerous and must be stopped,” she said.

Andy Borowitz is a comedian and author

Trump

restoring KPERS funding.

Some Kansas schools had to end their school year early. And Kansas courts found the new plan unconstitutional.

The 2014 Kansas Legislative action removing teacher due-process (tenure) continued to have an impact on Kansas student teacher production, especially in the sciences.

For the first time, some rural Kansas school districts faced shortages in applicants for elementary

(continued from page five)

An unabashed birther long before he was a candidate, Trump still refuses to say whether he accepts the proven fact that Obama was born in the United States.

Also, the party has long sought to capitalize on fear of terrorism by haranguing the president for not using the exact phrase “radical Islamic terrorism” (as if semantics could bring peace to Syria). So when, after the attack in San Bernardino, Calif. , Trump called for banning Muslims from entering the country, much of the Republican base was receptive.

Other candidates had to backpedal and remind voters that George W. Bush made clear his “war on terror” was not a war against Islam.

Trump has given voice to the ugliness and anger that the party spent years encouraging and exploiting. He let the cat out of the bag, and it’s hungry.

The party might nominate Trump, in which case the establishment will have lost all control. Or party leaders might somehow find a way to defeat him, in which case they will have lost the allegiance of much of the base.

In either event, the GOP we once knew is irredeemably a thing of the past.

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

about one percent; for 2020, the industry’s target is 3.5 percent. Global figures are lower. The Economist magazine puts renewables’ share of world energy production at one percent.

The fact that wind and solar are heavily subsidized in the United States, through tax breaks, suggests that recent cost reductions haven’t yet made renewables competitive with other energy sources.

Another handicap is physics: Wind and solar generate electricity only when the sun shines or the wind blows. They need backup power supplies.

This hasn’t been (so far) a big problem in the United States, because we have many “base” power plants - typically fueled by coal and natural gas - that can provide backup.

ESSA measures” in eight “priority areas,” leaving parents entirely mystified about the actual performance of their local school.

The Every Student Succeeds Act is a winwin-win for everyone who counts. Most Republicans are pleased that the federal role in enforcing educational standards has been effectively abolished.

Many teachers are pleased to see lower stakes on standardized tests. States and localities are pleased that they can declare all their schools successful, or at least make accountability a fuzzy, gentle, toothless friend.

The problem? We actually have some experience in how education systems operate in the absence of accountability enforced from above.

Rod Haxton can be reached at editor@screcord.com

(continued from page five)

Developing countries are another story. Seeking to reduce their poverty, they need more bulk power, says Robert Bryce, an energy expert at the Manhattan Institute. They have favored coal.

Despite Paris, we haven’t acknowledged the difficulties of grappling with climate change, whose extent and timing are uncertain. We invent soothing fantasies to simplify matters. The notion that the world can wean itself from fossil fuels by substituting renewables is one of these. The potential isn’t large enough.

Actual choices are harder. For example, Bryce argues that only an expansion of nuclear power could replace significant volumes of fossil fuels. But greater reliance on nuclear poses its own

dangers, including the disposal of atomic waste, operational accidents and vulnerability to terrorism.

It’s true that technological breakthroughs could change this. We know what’s needed: cheaper and safer nuclear power; better batteries and energy storage, boosting wind and solar by making more of their power usable; cost-effective carbon capture and storage - making coal more acceptable by burying its carbon dioxide in the ground.

We have been searching for solutions for decades with only modest success.

We need to keep searching, but without meaningful advances, regulating the world’s temperature is mission impossible.

Robert Samuelson is a contributing editor of Newsweek, writing about business and economic issues

(continued from page four)

Before No Child Left Behind, only 29 states had real accountability systems; 11 states did not disaggregate by race at all; only 22 states reported graduation rates by high school.

What will happen with the end of federal nagging?

“We’ll continue to see some high-flying states doing really creative, good things for students,” concludes education researcher Chad Aldeman. “But we’ll see a lot more just kind of getting by and doing the bare minimum, particularly when local politics and inertia prevent state leaders from pursuing bold changes on behalf of disadvantaged students.”

This is the group that loses in the Every Student

Succeeds Act - disadvantaged students, particularly African American students. Their betrayal by our educational system can now be more effectively hidden in the proliferation of priorities.

We live in a nation in which gaps in academic achievement between black and white students are large, continuing and disturbing. This is a national scandal - a systemic failure resulting in racial injustice. A retreat from educational accountability is the measure of our complacency.

And what does it say that the one thing everyone in Washington can agree on effectively devalues the educational needs of black children?

Michael Gerson is a columnist for The Washington Post

The Scott County Record • Page 7 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Looking While Kansas was the second state to eliminate tenure, pushed by ultraconservatives, California eliminated teacher tenure a few months later due to efforts from liberals who are pushing the same effort in New York.

Yet again, teachers have no political party on their side.

Six schools joined the Coalition of Innovative School Districts, an arrangement allowed by recent Kansas legislation that would allow up to 20 percent of Kansas USDs (up to 56 USDs) to hire individuals who lack the professional qualifications for teaching to be fully-paid teachers. The reward for the CISD is a pot of money set aside for being innovative.

The Kansas City superintendent explained how she wanted the money to buy college dual credits for her remaining poor high school students while Blue Valley wanted to continue a variety of innovations they already do.

(continued from page six)

The other four districts reflect the plight of rural Kansas schools who want legitimacy for hiring local untrained folks without using the alternate routes to teaching credentials already available. Their real motivation lies in the fact that these would be locally-“licensed” teachers who could not teach elsewhere, essentially in servitude to the local district.

Despite total opposition in public forums, the State Board of Education approved the CISD system. It would take but one small amendment in the Legislature to un-cap the CISD and make Kansas the first state to totally deprofessionalize teaching.

The growing atmosphere of disrespect toward the teaching profession contributed to an increased migration of Kansas teachers to nearby states. Missouri took advantage of teacher dissatisfaction by erecting billboard advertising for teachers along the state boarder.

The Kansas governor pointed out that both Oklahoma and Missouri have lower pay scales, an action again highlighting how many politicians fail to understand the teaching profession.

The number of schools abandoning print textbooks and adopting oneto-one computing in the form of personal digital devices accelerated across Kansas. There was often minimal-to-no teacher involvement in these topdown decisions.

While parents no longer had a textbook rental fee, there was a far higher cost to the schools for these devices that rarely last more than three years. Teachers have extra work to develop digital materials to replace the textbooks and load them onto computers for those students who do not have broadband access at home.

Student learning time is cut. And in many cases, the online materials provide students with unreviewed and erroneous content.

The ink is barely dry

on the Every Student Succeeds Act just passed in Washington, D.C. The NCLB testing regimes remain embedded in the laws of 43 states although many federal penalties were removed.

But new ESSA actions promote alternate route programs. And those new rookie teachers are to be hired at masters-level pay - a whole new federal overreach into state education.

Finally, high school graduation rates for both Kansas and the nation are significantly higher than a decade ago.

Unfortunately, the more genuine measures of academic attainment provided by NAEP scores and college graduation rates are down.

While islands of quality teaching remain, overall it is becoming harder for a bad student to fail.

And fewer of our graduating students are prepared to succeed in college-level work.

John Schrock trains biology teachers and lives in Emporia

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

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SCMS Invitational Quiz Bowl, 4:00 p.m.

SCHS BB @ Colby, 4:45 p.m.

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In 1957 - Elvis Presley makes his 7th and final appearance on Ed Sullivan Show

In 1961 - First NFL Playoff Bowl (runner-up bowl) Detroit beats Cleveland 17-16

In 1974 - Loch Ness Monster “photographed”

In 1811 - First Women’s Golf Tournament held

Scott County Commission Meeting, 3:00 p.m.

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The Scott County Record • Page 8 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Dateline He was found dead on the kitchen floor of his trailer home on July 14, 1996, with his .357 Magnum near his hand.

Rein had two gunshot wounds to the arm and one to the chest.

And that’s when a series of events occurred that could almost be described as a comedy of errors if not for the fact it involved a murder.

“We were told that when the police chief arrived at the scene he said to clean everything up because it was a suicide,” says Noll in disbelief. “Three gunshot wounds - two of them in his arm - and he wanted to call it a suicide.”

Any evidence that may have proven valuable at the outset soon disappeared.

When it was decided to approach this as a potential murder, Thomas Jaraczeski was the most likely suspect. Rein had been dating his ex-girlfriend for about six weeks and Jaraczeski had been stalking the pair. In addition, Jaraczeski only lived about 1-1/2 miles from the Rein residence.

Noll says that Jaraczeski had been stalking her brother to the point that “I wondered how he found time to work or do much anything else in his life.”

And Jaraczeski apparently wasn’t surprised to be considered a prime suspect.

“We were told that Tom had even called the police right afterwards and said ‘I imagine I’ll be the first one you want to question.’ He’d even prepared a written statement for the police,” says Noll. “That doesn’t sound like something someone would do if they were innocent.”

Jaraczeski was originally charged with murder in 1998, but the case never went to trial. A judge ruled that bloodhound evidence placing him near a windbreak near Rein’s trailer was not admissible.

Jaraczeski moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1999, but was arrested in May 2014 when Montana officials again decided to pursue murder charges. The murder trial was originally set for Feb. 15, 2015, and then rescheduled for September.

(continued from page one)

Charlene Rein-Murphy, sat through a three-week trial that was very difficult, not only because it involved the murder of their brother, but they also had to listen to defense attorneys portray Rein as a womanizer and homewrecker.

“He was the farthest thing from being a womanizer. The trial focused less on Bryan’s murder and more about who he dated. They kept accusing him of dating married women and being this bad person and yet there was no evidence to show that Bryan was the kind of person they were making him out to be.

“We had an idea they were going to make him out to be this ugly person . . . but not this ugly,” notes Noll.

Just three days into the trial, Noll says, “I had a Robert and Shirley Rein with their children (from left) Teresa, Charlene and Bryan. bad feeling. You could see it wasn’t good for Bryan his home all day Saturday at all.”

- had probably gone fishing. They tried to give Day of the Murder the impression that the Perhaps the key elemurder didn’t occur until ment from the standpoint sometime Saturday night. of the defense was the day Efforts by the defense of the murder. to create doubt and confuThe prosecution said sion were successful, says the murder occurred on Noll.

July 12 and that’s a date And evidence that the Rein family feels is seemingly should have correct. The defense tried mattered fell by the wayto put the date of the murside. der as July 13.

Such as the fact that “It seemed their plan Jaraczeski injured his was to create as much back on July 12 - the confusion as possible last night anyone heard and to provide more alibis for Tom (Jaraczeski). from Rein. He told docApparently it worked,” tors he had fallen from the back of his truck that says Noll.

The last known person evening. Evidence at the to visit with Rein was trailer showed that Rein Jaraczeski’s ex-girlfriend had been in a struggle, Bryan Rein with his 4-H calf in 1977. who was surprised to find including a swollen eye and a ripped shirt. him at home when she Jaraczeski also gave could see where it was erated for 12 hours it ‘Dateline’ will portray called on July 12. Rein had returned a day earlier conflicting accounts of headed. It was like attend- announced a verdict of this as it should be. I think they recognize that (Tom) than expected from a con- how often he’d been to ing a funeral where they not guilty. is guilty as sin,” Noll says.

While the jury has given couldn’t say anything nice Rein’s trailer. ference in Bozeman.

In a sense, perhaps the its verdict, Noll is hoping “And Tom and his about the deceased,” she She would later tell “Dateline” program can police that she felt uncom- brother were seen burn- notes. “The defense attor- that the court of public opinion may have a differ- bring some closure to a fortable about the abrupt ing things at 5:30 in the ney’s attitude was that ent outcome after seeing heartbreaking tragedy that end to their conversation, morning (on July 13),” (Bryan) didn’t deserve to the “Dateline” segment. has been a continuing part hearing the telephone dis- adds Noll. “Who gets up live. They tried to accuse One of the two prosecut- of Bryan Rein’s family for connect before Rein could at 5:30 in the morning to his best friends of killnearly 20 years. ing him. They tried to ing attorneys is friends start a fire?” say “Goodbye.”

“We can’t change with Shane Bishop, a In addition, accord- accuse Anne (Jaraczeski’s Repeated efforts by “Dateline” producer who what’s happened,” says family members and ing to an affidavit, ex-girlfriend). They even is also a Montana native. Noll as she fights back the friends on July 13 to con- “Investigators were not tried to accuse Charlene.”

The “Dateline” crew tears. “The hardest part As for the way the tact him were met with able to locate a single met with Noll and Murphy to swallow is that they a busy signal. When the witness who could con- crime scene was handled in Kansas City where they got away with it. That no body was discovered firm the defendant’s and the lack of evidence were interviewed for their matter what happens, we early on the morning of (Jaraczeski) whereabouts gathered, Noll has her part of the program. Noll can’t win.”

July 14, the phone had from the early evening of own thoughts.

All that’s left is to says that while Jaraczeski “It was all about pro- refused to take the wit- tell the story of a young been disconnected from July 12, 1996, to the morntecting their own. Bryan ness stand during the trial, man who’s life ended too ing of July 13, 1996.” the wall. was the outsider,” she he did agree to be inter- abruptly and whose mur“By the third week Noll says the defense derer was not brought to tried to make it appear (of the trial) I was get- says.

Finally Goes to Trial viewed by “Dateline.”

Noll and her sister, that Rein was gone from ting pretty angry. You After the jury delib“I hope and pray that justice.

Youth/Education

The Scott County Record

Page 9 - Thursday, December 31, 2015

Classroom spending clouds school funding debate Gov. Sam Brownback says he and many Kansas legislators won’t be ready to consider big increases in aid to public schools until they are confident that enough of the money already spent on education is finding its way into the classroom.

But the lawmakers who expect to work on a new school funding law next year don’t yet have a clear definition of what makes up classroom spending.

Their uncertainty is likely to cloud discussions about how to distribute nearly $4.1 billion in annual aid to 286 school districts and how much to increase it.

Brownback said he and like-minded legislators would be willing to consider whether the state is spending enough on schools if more money were going directly to instruction.

“But right now, you’ve got this high percentage that’s not getting to the classroom,” Brownback said in a recent Associated Press interview.

Brownback’s critics see such arguments as an attempt by Brownback and his allies to justify inadequate education funding.

“What is the classroom? What does that

What is the classroom? What does that involve? Yes, I’d like to have had a raise or I’d like to have more money in materials and supplies, but I also didn’t want the roof to leak on our computer equipment.

Ed Trimmer, state representative and former teacher

involve?” asks State Rep. Ed Trimmer (D-Winfield), a retired 33-year teacher.

“Yes, I’d like to have had a raise or I’d like to have more money in materials and supplies, but I also didn’t want the roof to leak on our computer equipment.”

With Brownback’s support, Republican legislators enacted a new school funding law earlier this year that junked a perpupil formula for distrib-

uting aid and replaced it with predictable block grants. They argued that the old formula was too complicated and diverted dollars from classrooms.

Many superintendents dislike the new law, which doesn’t call for an automatic increase in a district’s aid if it gains more students or more of them live in poverty or have special needs. Four school districts have asked the Kansas Supreme Court to

strike the law down.

Even supporters see it as a stopgap policy because it expires in July 2017.

The court could rule early next year on whether the law prevents the state from fulfilling its duty under the state constitution to provide a suitable education for every child. The justices also could rule later in 2016 on whether Kansas spends enough money overall.

Educators frequently note that the state’s basic aid per pupil under the old formula peaked at $4,400 during the 2007-08 school year, dropped during the

empowering women

Great Recession and was $3,852 before the new school funding law took effect earlier this year.

But even as that figure dropped, the state boosted spending on teacher pensions, aid for construction projects and other items, and total aid continues to set annual records.

Brownback said with public schools, “You have efficiencies that can be gained.”

“This is about your back-office operation. This is about how you purchase IT services or insurance or a series of things,” he said. “No student (See FUNDING on page 16)

Dighton grad earns nursing honors at FHSU

Nicole Beesley, Dighton, was presented the on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing award during the December graduation ceremony for the Department of Nursing at Ft. Hays State University.

Beesley was recognized for outstanding clinic performance, community involvement and academic achievement.

Taylor Scheuerman reminds her young audience there are no boundaries to what they can become in life.

(Record Photo)

Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams “If you have a dream you have to follow it regardless of what others may think,” Taylor Scheuerman advised about 30 teenagers who attended the first “Empowering Young Women in 4-H” conference held in Scott City.

Scheuerman was featured speaker for the day-long “Girl We Got This” conference that also featured breakout programs by six Extension agents from across Western Kansas.

The program, for girls from ages 10-18, was made possible by a grant through the Scott Community Foundation’s Women for Women Fund.

“We felt this was a way that we could reach young women and help them understand what they can do to improve their opportunities for success,” said Carol Ann Crouch, Scott County FACS Agent.

There were programs on teen dating, an analysis of how certain colors reflect an individual’s personality, dressing for success and personal conduct.

The idea of “being true to yourself,” was emphasized

by Scheuerman, an aviation mechanic who graduated from the aerospace engineering program at Kansas State University-Salina. She was one of just 12 women on a campus of 500 students and was the only female among 200 stu-

Stevens County FACS Agent Nancy Honig emphasizes the importance of dressing for success.

(Record Photo)

dents enrolled in her aviation program.

“Enrolling in that program was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made because, as a woman, you’ll never be one of the guys. You have to be strong and accept it when you’ve chosen a career in which you’re a woman in a guy’s world,” she noted. “I learned that it’s okay to be unique.”

Despite those obstacles, Scheuerman said she wasn’t going to be deterred from pursuing her passion for “tearing things apart and seeing how they work.”

“Some people might think I’m crazy for doing what I did, but I found my passion and I stayed true to myself,” she emphasizes.

The 28-year-old married Scott County native Seth Scheuerman who has joined his

family’s farming operation, but Taylor still has dreams of pursuing her career if the opportunity comes along.

“The important thing is for each of you to remember there are no boundaries. You can do anything you want,” she told her young audience. “Each of you is unique and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Dressing for Success It’s always best to know what fashion works best for you and not to worry about what’s trending, advised Nancy Honig, Stevens County FACS agent.

“People make assumptions about your personality by how you dress,” Honig said during an afternoon breakout session.

“You want what you wear on the outside to reflect the type of person you are on the inside.”

Common reasons that young people dress poorly, says Honig, are: 1) They don’t have the time or money.

“In all honesty, it doesn’t take that much effort,” she noted. “You can be the queen of shopping at discount stores, like Goodwill. It’s possible to dress smart and on a budget.”

2) They feel that appearance is “superficial” or unimportant.

“Whether you like it or not, people will judge you by how you’re dressed,” Honig said.

“That’s a fact of life.”

3) They feel that “rules don’t apply to me. I’ll dress however I like.”

An important part of anyone’s wardrobe is the accessories.

“Accessories are what you use to show off your personality,” she added. “But it’s important not to overaccessorize.”

Bickimer, Herndon earn semester honors Charlotte Bickimer and Sierra Herndon, both of Dighton, earned fall semester academic honors at Ottawa University.

Herndon was named to the Dean’s List which recognizes full-time students who have earned a minimum of 24 credit hours over the preceding two semesters at OU and maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Bickimer was on the Dean’s Honor Roll which recognizes full-time students who were enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester and maintained at least a 3.5 gpa.

Pastime at Park Lane The Prairie View Church of the Brethren led Sunday afternoon Church services.

Residents played pitch and dominoes on Monday afternoon. Game helpers were Joy Barnett, Dorothy King, Wanda Kirk, Mandy Barnett and Madeline Murphy.

Pastor Bob Artz led Bible study on Tuesday morning. Doris Riner and Elsie Nagel led the hymns.

Rev. Warren Prochnow led Lutheran Bible study on Wednesday morning.

Several residents played pitch on Wednesday evening.

Residents played bingo games on Wendesday afternoon. Madeline Murphy, Barbara Hutchins and Gary Goodman and his grandaughter, Alexis Klein, helped with the games.

Ladies received manicures on Thursday morning.

Dottie Fouquet was visited by Mark and Terri Fouquet, Jon and Anne Crane, Ethan McDaniel, Mary Stormont and Donna Gaschler.

Groups entertain at Park Lane

Max Moomaw, Ed Gough and Maxine Wilson from Dighton performed on Tuesday afternoon.

Max and Ed played their guitars and sang and Maxine played the piano.

Jan Huck and her grandchildren sang a variety of Christmas songs on Thursday afternoon. Jan’s grandchildren are Eliza, 7-years-old; Odessa, 6; Charlie, 4; Evelyn, 3; Sullivan, 4; Henry, 2; and Lynnlee, 1.

The kids gave each resident a treat after they sang.

Dona Dee Carpenter was visited by Ryan, Lisa, Ashlynn and Grant Long, Liz O’Bleness and Eric Tanner.

Visiting Delores Brooks was Charles Brooks; Shandon, Tina, Sage and Raegen Wolak; Dave and Cheryl Perry, and Alan and Janet Graham.

Pat Lawrence was visited by Bob and Marilyn Waters and Anne Crane.

Yvonne Spangler was visited by Yvette Mills, Les and Mary Ann Spangler, Danny and Mona Spangler, and Greg Mills.

James Still and Mike Leach were visited by Jason and Linda Dunagan and Rev. Don Martin.

Park Place Days Arlene Cauthon and son, Bill Novak, Modoc, shopped and visited together on Thursday morning.

Margaret Koehn and son, Gerald Koehn, and daughter, Sharon Roemer, each spent social time with her this week.

George Evans stopped

by Sharon Janssen

by with treats and shared pleasantries with the residents Thursday morning.

Edith Donecker and son, Jim Donecker, and wife Cheryl, Wichita, enjoyed a Monday to Wednesday visit.

Yours truly shared homemade cookies with residents this week.

We need volunteer bus drivers

to provide transportation for noon meals at the VIP Center.

You pick the days you can help. Get a free meal.

Contact 872-3501 for more information.

LaVera King was visited by Shirley Rogers, Valley Center; Kylan Stroud, Gavin Summers, Gloria Gough; Shanna, Tatum and Hunter Wells; Krista, Kaylie and Abby McDaniel; Velda Riddiough, Carol Latham; Randy, Kay and Harrison King; and Shellie Carter.

Christmas dinner guests of Rod and Kathy Haxton were, Boots Haxton; David, Sherri and Heather Haxton, McPherson; Joni Pottberg and Dustin Pottberg and Dusty and Jaci Brake, all of Salina; Troy, Jade and Cameron Gilpin, Henderson, Colo.; Tony Jasnoch, Kearny, Nebr., and Melissa Jasnoch.

The Scott County Record • Page 10 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Cecile Billings was visited by Kayla, Darren, Jill and Adison George; Roger, Toni, Skyler and Emily Glenn; Larry and Donita Billings; Kaitlynn, Kyle, Travis and Steph Hammond; Thurman and Delinda Dunagan; and Jason and Linda Dunagan.

Louise Crist was visited by Patsi Graham, Erin Parkinson, Keith and Jean Burgess; Dona, Tara, Madison and Emerson Williams and Mark and Gretchen.

Nella Funk was visited

by Janice Drohman, Judy Kitch, Gary Wayne Roberts, Major Roberts and Kelli Roberts.

Kathy Roberts was visited by Judy Kitch, Gary Wayne Roberts, Major Roberts and Kelli Roberts.

Lowell Rudolph was visited by Kathleen Moore, Tom Moore, LuAnn Buehler, Rev. Don Martin, and Chuck and Andy Kirk.

Albert Dean was visited by Carol Davey, Brian and Charlene Geist, Trevor and Jordan Geist, Nixon Geist, Jean Burgess, and Margie Stevens.

by Jason Storm

Jake Leatherman was visited by Don, Amy, Christopher and Allison Leatherman, and Faye Stewart.

Clifford Dearden was visited by Kirk and Janet Ottaway from Hays; Tod, Jessica, Payden, and Jude Hileman, Hays; Aaron, Jill, MaLaney and MaKinley Brantley, Hays; amd Janelle, Hunter, Scout and Marshall Perryman, Hays.

Bonnie Pickett was visited by Larry and Gloria Wright, Jon Tuttle, Larry and Philene Pickett, Chris Pickett and Margie Stevens.

Vivian Kreiser was visited by Larry and Sharon Lock and Sara, Ian, Ethan, Janie and Easton Reimer.

Jim Jeffery was visited

by Larry O’Bleness and Wade Jeffery.

Lorena Turley was visited by Rex and LuJauna Turley, Bob and Linda Artz, Neta Wheeler, Logann Threatt, Gary Turley, Shelby Salinas, Penifer Salinas Keller, James Chambers, Marty Griffey, Tawni Griffey, Jacque Griffey, Eli Bozarth, and Tracy and Emily Hess.

Arlene Beaton was visited by Sonny and Linda Savolt; Erik, Leann, Hallie, Hope and Hayden Wiechman; Colleen Beaton; Lonny and Colleen Dearden; Tom and Jo’Nell Beaton, John Beaton and Margie Stevens.

Elmer Erskin was visited by Leasha Fox, Dave and Sharon Powers; Shirley Rogers, Valley Center; Rick and Sandy Kahl, Kim Smith, Kirsten John, Kayla Dearden, Krissa Dearden, Lonny and Colleen Dearden; Mindy, Cole and Haley Allen, Vance Wiechman, Velda Riddiough, Piper Fox and Harold Erskin.

June Shuler was visited by Lisa Harvey, Kylie Harvey, Matt Harvey, Bob and Judy Winderlin, and Kami Winderlin.

Corrine Dean was visited by Janice Drohman, Dianna Howard, Aaron and Mandy Kropp, and Damian Ortiz.

Thelma Branine was visited by Terry, Kristi, Raelynn and Cooper Keefer; Linda, Taishia Herzog and Ansley Herzog.

Attend the Church of Your Choice

Preparing the Way The Scott County Record arrives at our home several days after it is published. The issues do not always come on the same day of the week. The newspaper dated Thurs., Dec. 17, was delivered early in the week of Christmas, actually a day or two before I expected.

The article which appeared on the front page was a wonderful, even timeless, gift of the season. I almost never say this, but it is a story which, if you have not, you need to read.

It is a well-written account, with sadness and joy, of an adoption. It is a demonstration of our most tragic failures. It is a testimony to our very best qualities. If you read this article without tears you are stronger than I.

Of course, the question is: What does this have to do with Christmas? What does it have to do with what we believe?

On the Sunday after Christmas Day, we read from Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Paul says that God’s gift of His Son was for the purpose of our adoption as children. We were lost, ultimately despairing, but Jesus has come and He has changed everything.

We are now heirs of the Kingdom. All of this is contained within the hope imbedded in our celebration of Christmas.

The new year is beginning and many of us approach it with determination and resolve and desire to change.

Perhaps we might begin with gratitude, with thanksgiving for our own adoption as children of the Father.

Rev. Don Martin St. Luke’s Episcopal 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

1st United Methodist Church

Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.

5th Street and College - Scott City - 872-2401 John Lewis, 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.

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

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

Sunday Evening Service: 7:00 p.m.

The Scott County Record • Page 11 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Scott County Farm Bureau board members and staff with the awards they received from the state organization include (from left) Millie Dearden, women’s chairman; Dale Maneth, district administrator; Larry Dearden, county president; Christine Cupp, county coordinator; Adrian Livingstone, board member; and Lacey Rohrbough, committee member.

(Record Photo)

Scott County Farm Bureau is honored as best in Kansas

Scott County Farm Bureau was recognized as one of the top chapters in the state during the Kansas Farm Bureau’s annual meeting held in Manhattan.

Each county Farm Bureau competes against similar sized county organizations and can be recognized in any of five areas - member services, policy implementation, public relations/advertising, leadership development and education/agriculture promotion.

Scott County Farm Bureau was recognized as the “Outstanding Award” winner which is based on overall achievement in all five areas.

In addition, SCFB was recipient of the “County Progress Award” which honors those coun-

ties which have “given extra effort, tried new approaches, implemented innovated ideas and accomplished significant growth.”

“These rewards are a direct reflection of the talent, dedication and passion of our FB members feel for an industry that is more than just a business. They believe this is a way of life worth preserving,” says Christine Cupp, county coordinator.

SCFB earned achievement awards in all five areas, including Awards of Excellence for member services and public relations/advertising.

The Awards for Excellence recognize the county Farm Bureau’s efforts in developing and implementing programs that meet their member’s

KanCare has gone nearly two years without inspector general

The state’s $3 billion KanCare program has gone nearly two years without an inspector general to serve as watchdog.

Susan Mosier, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, told lawmakers at a hearing this week that the agency has interviewed candidates and has continued to advertise the vacant position. But it has been unable to find someone qualified to serve as watchdog for the state’s privatized Medicaid program, KanCare.

Mosier said the agency had increased the position’s salary as a way to attract better candidates. An inspector general could now be paid up to $100,000 annually.

An inspector general would investigate fraud, waste and misconduct. The program has effectively been without one since January 2014, when Bill Gale stepped down from the post to take a position as a regional director for the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

Former Wichita Rep. Phil Hermanson was appointed to the post in April 2014, but resigned a little more than a month later after questions about his qualifications. The agency said at the time that Hermanson, who had not been confirmed by the Kansas Senate as required by law, had not begun performing the duties of the job despite receiving a paycheck.

needs.

Public relations and advertising showcases the ability to promote and enhance awareness of Farm Bureau activities.

“Our partner relationship with county Extension, the soil conservation service, library, elementary school, and others enable us to support many local activities,” says Cupp.

The Farm Bureau is actively involved in activities that make local youth more aware of agriculture, in addition to sponsoring a booth at the county fair and the county fair pedal tractor pull.

As part of its member services, Farm Bureau provides discounted health services during the annual health fair, provide free popcorn during

a home basketball game and sponsor contests throughout the year.

In addition, the local board actively promotes Farm Bureau at the 3i show and state fair.

“At the heart of these awards is our involvement in farming and ranching education,” says Cupp.

“This is where you see the passion of our members and volunteers.

“Teaching youth and others in the community about important farm topics is a top priority for the local Farm Bureau.

We enjoy educating others about where their food comes from, and all the products that agriculture provides the world.

Sometimes we don’t understand all that is going on right outside our back door.”

Mooooore Savings!

Buy of the Week!

Wednesday - Tuesday, Dec. 30-Jan. 5 80/20

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1314 S. Main, Scott City 872-5854 www.heartlandfoodsstores.com

For the Record 5 ways you can be charitable on a budget The Scott County Record

by Nathaniel Sillin

If you’ve ever wondered if you can be charitable with only a few extra dollars in your wallet or a little bit of free time, the answer is yes. You just have to get a little creative.

In the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s latest analysis of charitable giving, it appears people who

earned less were giving more.

Based on state-by-state tax data, the nonprofit industry trade publication reported that between 2006 to 2012, Americans earning more than $200,000 gave a smaller percentage of their income to charity while those earning less than $100,000 actually gave more during the same period.

Scott County Commission Agenda Tues., January 5 County Courthouse 3:00 p.m.

Open hearing to vacate Rabbit Trail December payroll, accounts payable, approve change orders

3:30 p.m.

Update by EMS Director Brenda Birney

4:00 p.m.

Public Works Director Richard Cramer

Agenda may change before the meeting. Contact County Clerk Alice Brokofsky for an updated agenda (872-2420) or visit www.scott.kansasgov.com

Scott City Council Agenda Mon., January 4 • 7:30 p.m.

City Hall • 221 W. 5th •Call to Order •Approve minutes of Dec. 21 regular meeting •Ryan Roberts, director of the Scott Community Foundation to discuss Watco lease agreement for walking trail project •Discuss annexation of properties within city limits •Merit pay increase and cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for city employees •Open agenda: audience is invited to voice ideas or concerns. A time limit may be requested Parks Department 1) Advertise for pool manager, assistant pool manager and lifeguards 2) Set monthly and hourly salaries 3) Year-end pool data Police Department 1) Misc. business

Wherever you stand on the income scale, stretching charitable dollars or time should begin with a little planning. Here are five steps to consider.

•Check your finances first.

Helping others is a worthwhile lifetime habit.

However, before you start writing checks or handing out cash to various individuals or groups, check

your budget to determine whether you actually have extra money to spare for charitable donations in any form.

If you itemize, check the IRS rules (www.irs. gov) on charitable giving or consult with a qualified tax professional to see if there are charitable giving options that fit your circumstances.

•Screen charities you’re

Public Works Department 1) Misc. business Clerk’s Department 1) Misc. business •Mayor’s comments

Public Notice sas praying that a divorce be granted to Amanda Lynn Coulter and you are hereby required to plead to the Petition on or before the 28th day of January, 2016, in the District Court of Scott County, Kansas. If you fail to plead, judgment will be entered in due course upon the Petition.

Amanda Lynn Coulter Petitioner Timothy R. Woods, No. 24124 Attorney for Petitioner Kansas Legal Services 701 Comanche, Suite F Dodge City, KS 67801 Office: (620) 227-7349 Facsimile: (620) 227-8001 Email: kls-dodgecity@klsinc.org

considering.

It’s never been easier to evaluate a potential charity or nonprofit organization.

Leading online databases like CharityNavigator. org, CharityWatch.org and Guidestar.org provide extensive data on thousands of national, state and local charities and nonprofit organizations.

The Better Business Bureau also operates

Give.org, a national charity database that accredits and notes complaints.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Charity Scams website offers breaking news on illegal fundraising activities and best practices for evaluating charities and nonprofits year-round.

What else can you do?

Play reporter.

(See CHARITIES on page 13)

Lane-Scott Electric adopts change in after-hours dispatching The Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative board of directors has approved having Security Response Services (SRS) handle after-hours dispatching. The change became necessary when the Lane County Sheriff’s Department said it could no longer continue this service.

The change takes effect Dec. 31.

SRS is a 24-hour dispatching service provided

by Basin Electric Power

Cooperative of Bismarck, N.D. Basin Electric is the wholesale power supplier to electric cooperatives in the Midwest.

SRS allows members 24-hour access to their electric cooperative. SRS employs 38 staff members who are dedicated to afterhours dispatch. Additional staff members are on call should call volumes pick up due to major outages.

The center is also staffed during the day.

Scott Co. LEC Report Scott City Police Department Dec. 11: Liliana Ayala-Varela, 17, was southbound on South Washington St. when she struck a legally parked vehicle.

Dec. 14: Autumn Vasquez, 21, was arrested for domestic violence and transported to the LEC. Dec. 28: Juan Ramirez, Jr., 40, was arrested for driving on a suspended license and transported to the LEC. Dec. 29: Crystal Barraza was backing out of a parking lot in the 1200 block of College Avenue when she struck a legally parked vehicle.

Scott County Sheriff’s Department Dec. 24: Todd Redburn, 48, was traveling on K4 Highway when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line, entered the north ditch and came to stop in a field.

Register of Deeds

Parks Department 1) Misc. business

(Published in The Scott County Record Thurs., Dec. 17, 2015; last published Thurs., Dec. 31, 2015)3t IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF SCOTT COUNTY, KANSAS In the Matter of the Marriage of AMANDA LYNN COULTER and CLIFFORD DALE COULTER Case No. 15-DM-50 Pursuant to Chapter 23 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated NOTICE OF SUIT The State of Kansas to CLIFFORD DALE COULTER, Respondent herein, and all other persons who are or may be concerned: You are hereby notified that a Petition for Divorce has been filed in the District Court of Scott County, Kan-

The Scott County Record Page 12 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Allan and Cheryl Keyse to Flying W Farms, NE4 of 5-18-31.

Levi and Dani Heinrich to Robert and Patricia Hoeme, Lots 13-14, Blk. 2, Nonnamaker Addition.

Cole Pearson to PlainJans Rentals, Inc., Lot 2, Blk. 3, Cases Addition.

Larry and Avnell Caldwell to Rodney and Kathryn Haxton, south 15 ft. of Lot 9 and all of Lot 12, Blk. 17, Cases Second Addition.

Chris and Jana Irvin to Jason and Jenny Yeadon, north 100 ft. of Lot 2, Blk. 5, Starr Suburb.

Linda Helmers to Rodney and Jeri Grove, Lot 5, Blk. 3, CA Steele and Sons 3rd Addition.

Alice Rennison to Matthew Shellenberger, south 46 ft. of Lot 4 and north 32 ft. of Lot 5, Blk. 8, Webster’s Addition.

Shellie Carter to Idalia Chavez, Lot 5, Blk. 24, Original Town.

Lindsay Wineinger to Keith and Dana Shapland, all of Lot 13, except north 15 ft., and except south 3 ft., Blk. D, Manor Heights Addition.

“SRS is able to receive the calls from the consumers, do some basic verifying and gather information that can help the linemen troubleshoot the issue. We call the consumer back to verify that the power has been restored so the linemen can continue to assist other members,” says Tom Radenz, Basin Electric’s SRS supervisor.

Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative will send SRS an updated member database nightly so that

SRS is equipped with the latest information.

“Lineman safety is the number-one goal for SRS. We track linemen from the time they leave the shop until the outage has been restored, and they have returned to the co-op. They check in with dispatch every 90 minutes,” Radenz says.

In 2014, SRS took more than 340,000 calls for the 71 electric cooperatives in the region that use their service.

The Scott County Record • Page 13 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Lawmakers warn of diverting money from KDOT They call it the “bank of KDOT.” And it seems to be offering extended hours.

That’s the derisive term critics use for the diversion of huge chunks of revenue from the Kansas Transportation Department by the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback. The money - which has zoomed past $1 billion since 2011 - is shoring up the struggling general fund budget and other state agencies.

The practice, though legal, is out of hand, critics say, and impairs high-

way maintenance programs. The transfers not only can mean delays on current projects but will come back to haunt the state for future projects, they say.

“They’re using the cash for general fund obligations,” said Rep. Melissa Rooker (R-Fiarway). “It’s alarming. I don’t see how we can continue to take money away from transportation at this pace.”

The state recently issued another $400 million in highway construction bonds for its 10-year T-Works program. To

Charities Even if an organization checks out through these reputable sources, do an online search of news media just to make sure no unsavory developments have occurred that might discourage your donation.

•Research what’s needed.

If the charity in question accepts physical items or volunteer work, see if you’re interested in providing help that way.

Check with the charity either online or by phone to determine what they will and will not accept donating the wrong items simply wastes staff and volunteer time.

If you would like to volunteer, ask about opportunities and make sure that volunteer assignment fits you before you commit.

Remember, charities really count on their volunteers and your enthu-

make that additional borrowing possible, the legislature last session suspended a statutory cap on the department’s debt burden.

Rooker is worried that more borrowing will allow the administration to sweep more sales tax revenue from the department.

So is House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs (D-Kansas City).

“We continue to fight and to encourage the governor to quit robbing the bank of KDOT,” Burroughs said.

From 2011 through the

(continued from page 12)

siasm for an assignment can help them keep their turnover to a minimum.

Some organizations may also have travel-based service missions that can provide charitable travel opportunities that allow you to help while seeing the world.

•Ask if your employer will match your donation.

Even if your cash donation is modest, some employers can make your contribution go farther if they have a matching gifts program. Check with your human resources department or benefits manager.

Also, many nonprofits, universities and charitable organizations keep their own online databases of employer matching gift programs.

•Go micro.

If you can only find a few dollars to give, don’t let that discourage you.

Organize like-minded friends and family mem-

Eligible beneficiaries can keep Medicare Supplement Plans C and F Kansas Medicare beneficiaries can still purchase Medicare Supplement Plans C or F through the end of 2019, according to Ken Selzer, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.

The plans, which are regulated by the Kansas Insurance Department (KID), will not be sold beginning in 2020, says Selzer. However, those who are already eligible or enrolled in Medicare before 2020 will be able to keep those plans if they have them.

“Those plans will still be in force for you if you have them before 2020,” Selzer said. “There is no reason you have to replace them. Your insurance company will still service your claims under those plans’ provisions.”

Congressional changes to the Medicare Access CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 prohibit the sale beginning in 2020. KID has received inquiries from consumers who have been misinformed about the plans’ immediate discontinuance.

Medicare Supplement insurance can help cover the expenses that come with coverage gaps in original Medicare. Plans such as these are often referred to as Medigap plans.

These plans and several others are described in the insurance department’s “Medicare Supplement Insurance Shopper’s Guide,” which is available for order in hard copy form or online at www.ksinsurance. org.

Those seeking Medicare Supplement information to call their insurance agent or the Kansas Insurance Department’s consumer assistance hotline at 800-4322484.

bers to pool funds, attend events or volunteer time for a cause that will allow you to make an impact with only a few dollars.

Still short on cash and want to help? Pick up the phone or email the charity and ask if they accept small items or in-kind services. Some ideas might include gift cards (including ones with unused balances), office supplies, stamps, or help with writing, fundraising or technology.

Bottom line: Making a difference in the world doesn’t always require big bucks, but big know-how helps.

Check your finances first, research charities you’re interested in and investigate how small donations of time, money and physical items can make an impact.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs

state’s 2017 budget year, transfers labeled “extraordinary” from the highway fund to the general fund or to state agencies are expected to hit $1.4 billion. That’s on top of more than $700 million in transfers in that same period that are labeled “ordinary or historically routine” - for a total of $2.1 billion.

Brownback said in a recent interview that he was satisfied with the state’s roads program and its financing.

Brownback said the state has benefited from

low oil prices and low bonding costs, so the price tags for projects have been less than initially estimated.

“We think we’re still on track to fully complete the T-Works projects and to continue to have a robust maintenance program,” he said.

Annie McKay, executive director of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth, which has opposed Brownback’s economic policies, said it’s wrong to argue there’s no downside to the money shifts.

“That’s inaccurate,” she said. “The state used to maintain highways on a schedule of 1,200 miles per year. That has dropped to 200 miles per year. We are still maintaining, but not at the level that’s needed to sustain the health of our highway system.”

McKay said that with bonds being issued for road projects, the administration can say projects are still on schedule while taking away tax revenue intended for highways.

But it’s still cheating the highway system, she said.

The Scott County Record • Page 14 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

84,000 Kansans enrolled in marketplace As of December 19, the number of consumers signed up for the Affordable Care Act through marketplace coverage surged to more than 8.2 million nationally, including 84,631 in Kansas.

Those who selected a plan by December 17 or were auto reenrolled will have coverage effective January 1. High consumer demand as the enrollment deadline neared, as well as the automatic renewal process, contributed to this overall total.

“Millions of Americans will start 2016 with the quality and affordable health coverage they want and need to keep their families healthy and financially secure,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

“We are encouraged by the strong start we experienced in the first half of Open Enrollment for 2016 coverage, and know we have ongoing work to do. We are focused on making sure Kansas families looking for coverage understand their options through the marketplace, know about the financial assistance available, and have access to the support they need to enroll.”

These data, for the first time, reflect the vast majority of consumers who were automatically re-enrolled into 2016 coverage. The re-enrollment process has not yet been completed so as it continues, upcoming snapshots will include additional consumers who were automatically re-enrolled after December 19.

If a consumer realized after the deadline for coverage starting January 1 that there is a better plan for their family, they can come back and make a change any time before the end of open enrollment on Jan. 31, 2016.

Consumers should visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadodeSalud. gov to review their coverage options, learn about what financial assistance is available, or to sign up or re-enroll in a plan that best meets their needs.

Having health insurance when you can afford it is now the law. If someone chooses not to buy health insurance and could afford to do so, they are at risk of paying a fee of $695 or more.

Federal mental health reform bill raises civil rights questions Andy Marso KHI News Service

A federal mental health bill has ignited a debate about organizations that receive federal funding to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, including mental illness.

“Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act” is a sweeping 173-page rewrite of the nation’s mental health system.

There is much in the bill that mental health advocates like, including the creation of a National Mental Health Policy Laboratory within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a study of the costs of

incarcerating people with severe mental illness.

But one provision near the end of the bill has created concern about the ability of groups like the Disability Rights Center of Kansas to fight for the civil rights of people who have disabilities, including mental illness.

“I think there’s a lot of positive features of the bill,” said Rick Cagan, executive director of the Kansas branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. “NAMI national certainly supports it, and we have been urging them to take a strong advocacy position to remove the provisions from the bill that

would affect the protection and advocacy organizations like the Disability Rights Center.”

The Disability Rights Center is part of a network of organizations across the country that operate under Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) laws enacted in the 1980s.

The chief sponsor of the new federal bill, U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) is a psychologist, and the bill has the support of the Treatment Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that says its mission is to eliminate barriers to the treatment of mental illness.

The Treatment Advocacy

Center contends that PAIMI groups like the Disability Rights Center have overstepped their bounds and in some cases are advising people with mental illness of their right to refuse treatment, against the wishes of parents and loved ones.

The Treatment Advocacy Center also has clashed with PAIMI groups in several states over legislation that would make it easier to obtain a court order to force people with mental illness to take a prescribed medication or other form of outpatient treatment.

A key portion of Murphy’s bill would withhold grant funding to the (See REFORM on page 15)

State’s mental health system at crossroads as session approaches Andy Marso Kansas Health Institute Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles by the KHI News Service previewing health-related issues that the Kansas Legislature will face in its upcoming 2016 session.

Kansas mental health advocates will enter the 2016 session at a critical juncture, 25 years into the state’s effort to move away from institutionalization to community-based care.

Crowded prisons and state hospitals have helped create momentum for statewide reforms to fill the gaps in that system - to provide a “continuum of care” to

keep Kansans with persistent mental illness out of crisis.

But the state’s ongoing budget problems limit the Legislature’s ability to increase funding for the state hospitals or community-based mental health resources. And last year’s long, bitter tax fight has sapped some of the energy for any major legislative debate before the 2016 elections.

“Every forum I have been to with legislators, they are dreading January,” says Amy Campbell, a lobbyist for the Kansas Mental Health Coalition. “They want a short session. They

Every forum I have been to with legislators, they are dreading January. They want a short session. They want to go home and run for office with relatively few controversial votes on their record.

- Amy Campbell, lobbyist for Kansas Mental Health Coalition

want to go home and run for office with relatively few controversial votes on their record.”

At the same time, the Cabinet agency that handles many mental health issues - the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - is in flux.

KDADS Secretary Kari Bruffett will leave the agency at the end of 2015 to take a job as policy director for the Kansas Health Institute.

As mental health advo-

cates discuss continuum of care, they remain wary of a legislative change that allowed state regulation of antipsychotic medications prescribed to Medicaid recipients. They also are in disagreement over a proposal allowing treatment centers to hold people involuntarily for up to 72 hours.

Meanwhile, Osawatomie State Hospital remains unable to take more patients (See SESSION on page 15)

New E. coli infection sends one to hospital in eastern Ks. A Johnson County resident is the latest person to fall ill with an E. coli infection that may be linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Federal health officials have identified five people, including the Johnson County resident, who have been infected with what they said was a “different, rare DNA fingerprint of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli026,” or STEC 26.

All five infected people reported eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in the weeks before they got ill. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said

it’s not known if the latest outbreak is related to a larger, previously reported E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle.

One of the other five cases was in North Dakota and three were in Oklahoma.

As of Dec. 18, the CDC had reported 53 people in nine states infected as part of the earlier outbreak of STEC 026, a common type of E. coli that causes foodborne outbreaks. Forty-six reported eating at a Chipotle. Twenty people were hospitalized. There have been no reported deaths.

Specialty Care, Hometown Service

The Outreach Services Clinic at Scott County Hospital If you need a medical specialist, Scott County Hospital offers a variety of options for your care.

Talk with your physician about a referral to meet with one of our visiting specialty doctors.

Cardiology Dr. Janif

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Cardiology Dr. Freund

Immunology/Allergy Dr. Faraci

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Oncology/Hematology

Orthopedics Dr. DeCarvalho

Podiatry Dr. Burkey

Pulmonology/Sleep Dr. Ballard

Urology Dr. Lopez

Urology Dr. McDonald

Registered Dietitian & Diabetic Educator Courtney McCarty

Dr. Tibayan

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Call (620) 874-4854 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The Scott County Record • Page 15 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Reform five states - Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Tennessee - that do not allow assisted outpatient treatment, which is a form of involuntary commitment.

For people with mental illness to be committed to an inpatient facility against their will, most states require that they be shown to be a danger to themselves or others.

Assisted outpatient treatment laws use a lower standard - usually that the person is too ill to recognize their own need for medical care - to require, by court order, outpatient treatments such as medication.

PAIMI groups claim these programs are unproven and infringe on the civil liberties of people with mental health issues.

Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, said the Murphy bill would prevent the Disability Rights Center from doing things unrelated to mental health, like helping children with learning disabilities get special education, investigating possible Medicare

Session

(continued from page 14)

fraud by doctors prescribing unnecessary and unwanted treatments for people with disabilities, and advocating for fair housing and employment.

According to Nichols, 80 percent of the cases DRC worked in 2015 would not fit into the parameters set by Murphy’s bill.

Preventing Abuse The Murphy bill allows the Disability Rights Center to try to intervene in cases of abuse and neglect. But Nichols said the bill would prohibit the Disability Rights Center from interfering between caregivers and people with mental illness, making it a challenge to intervene when the “caregivers” themselves are committing abuse and neglect.

That was the case at the Kaufman House in Newton, where social worker Arlan Kaufman and his wife, Linda, a registered nurse, ran a group home for people with mental illness and abused the residents for 20 years.

State agencies and local law enforcement had received reports of abuse at the house but failed to substantiate them. The

Disability Rights Center helped one resident assert her legal rights to leave the facility in 2004, then assisted with an FBI investigation that revealed evidence of decades of sexual and physical abuse.

The Kaufmans were convicted of a slate of criminal abuse charges the following year.

Nancy Jensen, a former resident who calls herself a “survivor” of the Kaufman House, said she tried to raise alarms about what the Kaufmans were doing. But until the Disability Rights Center staff arrived, no one believed her because she had a mental illness and the Kaufmans were respected in their community.

She said one night she harmed herself intentionally because she thought that if the Kaufmans took her to a hospital, the hospital staff would have to help her escape.

“A nurse practitioner was cleaning me up and asked me why I did it,” Jensen said. “Before I had a chance to answer, Linda said, ‘She’s one of ours.’ And that was all the lady needed to know. She walked out.”

Jensen also traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify against the PAIMI provisions in Murphy’s bill.

The concerns that she and others raised already have affected the Kansas congressional delegation’s stance on the bill.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, a Republican who represents the Kansas City area, was one of the bill’s more than 170 cosponsors in October. But a spokesman for Yoder’s office said he pulled his sponsorship at the end of November after hearing from the Disability Rights Center.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Republican who represents the rest of eastern Kansas, said she has long been an advocate for mental health reform, but she can’t support the Murphy bill in its current form.

“This bill goes too far in taking away the legal rights of patients - especially by completely dismantling the critically important Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program,” Jenkins said.

(continued from page 14)

as federally mandated more crisis intervention renovations continue. services throughout the state.

Continuum of Care KDADS spokeswoman The Adult Continuum Angela de Rocha said that of Care Committee met the agency remains comfive times in May and mitted to continuum of June before issuing a care reform.

42-page report in July.

Implementing the recThe report’s recommen- ommendations could be dations included expand- a challenge if it requires ing Medicaid eligibility, any additional state fundrestoring bed capacity at ing, though. the Osawatomie hospital, Campbell said she has lobbying for changes to been told “a couple of federal regulations, lim- times” that the KDADS iting Medicaid payments budget won’t be reduced, for mental health services but she advised the mental provided in large inpatient health coalition members institutions and creating to watch individual pro-

gram budgets carefully.

“Budget is going to again be a key issue for us,” Campbell said. “For us to be able to identify where money is being moved from and to, and how that is going to affect the programs that we care about is going to be a fulltime job this session.”

Campbell said she believes legislative leaders know that the mental health system is “at a crisis point,” but their first priority is balancing the larger state budget.

Ted Jester, KDADS assistant director of men-

tal health services, told the coalition that the agency is considering asking legislators to approve a mental health checkoff on income tax forms to fund “mini-grants that could grow over time” for community-based behavioral health programs.

Details of the checkoff proposal are not yet available, but Lewis said such a measure wouldn’t help financially until 2017 at the earliest, given the legislative schedule and the income tax filing schedule.

They’re not resolutions, but mini-goals by the American Counseling Association

It’s New Year’s Resolution time, or more accurately, time for setting big life changing goals and then soon discovering you’re probably not going to reach them.

Why? Because most of us tend to think too big.

Stop smoking . . . lose weight . . . make it to the gym more often. While these are all good goals to aim for, achieving success can be difficult since that often means major life changes.

It’s fairly easy to say “I want to give up cigarettes,” or “I’m going to drop 30 pounds this year,” but actually making those things happen requires some drastic and difficult changes in the life we’ve gotten used to living.

The result, as we bump into those difficult changes, or as we perhaps drift back a bit after making progress toward our goal, is that we become discouraged and just give up on what we’re trying to achieve.

The answer to the problem is actually quite simple - don’t try and bite off too much at once.

While that final goal, say of losing those 30 pounds, may be what you want to achieve, it’s something that’s going to take a long time to reach. And, let’s be honest, most of us aren’t very patient people. We want to see results as soon as possible!

So how to make that happen? Set smaller goals.

For weight loss, for example, forget about the final goal and set small goals that you know you can achieve. Maybe it’s just to lose four pounds in the next month. Eat a bit healthier, don’t obsess about jumping on that scale every 10 minutes, increase your exercise a bit, and at the end of the month you’ll probably have hit that mini-goal.

When it happens, reward yourself. No, not with a celebratory ice cream sundae, but with something that makes you feel good about what you’ve achieved, and that will help motivate you to set another mini-goal towards your final target.

Regardless of the resolution, setting mini-goals is the best way to get you moving. Achievable goals provide positive feedback and help you reach your final destination. And if you do happen to fall really short along the way, just accept that we’re all human and we all stumble now and then.

Reexamine those goals and what changes you need to make. Start small, give it another try and pretty soon you will be closer to that final goal.

“Counseling Corner” is provided by the American Counseling Association. Comments and questions to ACAcorner@counseling.org or visit the ACA website at counseling.org

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The Scott County Record • Page 16 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

History of cattle drives told in story and lyrics Kansas’ role in the history of the Old West has been well documented in films about the early cattle towns and later, in popular television series such as “Gunsmoke.”

How did the state become a destination for millions of cattle from Texas? How did sleepy Kansas towns cope with the influx of cowboys coming off the long trail?

And what was life like on the cattle trail?

Jim Hoy brought that era in Kansas history to life in lyrics and tales while entertaining those attending the Scott County Historical Society’s member appreciation program at the El Quartelejo Museum.

Hoy, a cowboy, rancher, professor of English, and director of the Center for Great Plains Studies at Emporia State University offered an informative and entertaining look at an era that played a significant role in the development of Kansas.

In his program, “Singing the Cattle North,” Hoy points out that the cattle drives and Kansas played a significant role in the origin of the modern day cowboy.

“It wasn’t until the cattle drives after the Civil

War that the cowboy came into existence,” noted Hoy. Hoy referred to author and entrepreneur Joseph McCoy who said half jokingly, that a Texas cattleman’s wealth was measured by the cattle he owned - “the more he had the poorer he was.”

At the time, a longhorn steer in Texas was worth about $2. But if one could get that steer to Chicago its worth climbed to about $40.

McCoy saw that potential and after working out a lucrative deal with the railroad - which they later reneged on - he established Abilene as the first Kansas cattle town that was the final destination of cattlemen on the Chisholm Trail. At the time it was an unknown community with about 12 buildings but it soon became the typical cattle town with saloons, brothels and cowboys looking for a way to spend their money after coming off the trail.

That was the start of Kansas eventually having more cattle towns than any other state. During its first five years as a cattle town, Abilene shipped one million cattle by rail back east.

Texas cattlemen would

send herds of 2,000 to 3,000 cattle north with the drives lasting for weeks.

According to Hoy, they would push the cattle about 20 miles per day for the first couple of days to eliminate their “homing instinct.” After that, they would cover only five to 10 miles per day while grazing along the way.

“A good trail boss, after a 500 to 1,000 mile drive, would have the cattle weighing more than when they began,” says Hoy. However, Kansas cattle towns were ill prepared for the influx of cowboys coming off a long trail drive. It’s estimated that 35,000 men and boys rode with herds during the cattle drive era.

Abilene, for example, didn’t have any organized law during its first three years as the final destination on the Chisholm Trail. That responsibility fell upon the saloon keepers.

The Cowboy Songs Of course, when a herd is moving only about five miles per day the biggest challenge for cowboys is overcoming boredom. In order to help cope with long days on the trail, the singing cowboy emerged - not as a cinema creation but out of necessity.

Jim Hoy tells the history of Kansas cattle trails and early cowtowns in story and verse.

(Record Photo)

“With cattle spread out for maybe two miles and no one to talk to, cowboys had to find ways to entertain themselves,” Hoy noted.

As a result, cowboys wrote three types of songs and Hoy performed one

of each for his audience.

They were the trail driving song, which a cowboy wrote/sang to entertain himself; the night herding song, to entertain the cattle; and the chuck wagon song, to entertain other cowboys.

“If a cowboy was to tell a story night after night around the campfire, you’d get tired of it after the first couple of times, but put that story to music and people will listen to it a lot more often,” adds Hoy.

KanCare contractors accused of Funding denying legitimate medical claims Lawrence Memorial Hospital officials told a legislative panel that the three insurance companies managing the state’s Medicaid system routinely deny legitimate claims in order to hold down costs, a claim that all three contractors said was untrue.

Those charges, which other hospitals have made in the past, came this week at a meeting of the Legislature’s joint committee that oversees KanCare, the name given to the state’s privatized Medicaid system.

Taryn Schraad, who handles audits and insurance claims appeals at LMH, told the panel the hospital frequently receives denial notices, often with no explanation provided.

“I believe there is a pattern of behavior to just deny claims and see if the provider will spend the time and the energy and the money to pursue them through the appeal process,” Schraad told reporters after the hearing.

Linda Sherman, director of patient accounts at LMH, said she understands that all insurance companies deny some claims.

“The problem comes when they don’t meet deadlines, and they don’t provide denial reasons,” she said. “When they approve a stay for observation and then turn around and, in that observation claim that they have approved, say no, you didn’t get authorization for this. We’re going to make you appeal this through three levels.”

In their testimony, Schraad and Sherman

cited an example of a claim that was denied

by Amerigroup on Dec. 30, 2014. LMH filed an appeal on Feb. 5, 2015, well within the allowable 60 days for making an appeal.

Amerigroup was supposed to respond to that appeal within 60 days, but LMH did not hear a response until Nov. 18, denying the claim again, giving the hospital only three days to respond to that second denial.

Schraad said that only about 35 percent of the claim denials that LMH appeals are eventually overturned and paid.

By comparison, she said, LMH has about a 90 percent success rate in overturning denials

by Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

Susan Thomas, director of compliance at the hospital, said the problem has gotten steadily worse throughout the three years that KanCare has been in place.

“It seems like when we moved from the traditional Medicaid program that was administered by the state, and now we’ve gone to for-profit managed care companies, the game has changed,” she said.

“They’re in the business to make money, and we appreciate that. We are too,” Thomas said. “But definitely, the requirement to process a claim, to get authorization for patient status, it’s changed dramatically in addition to now having three companies to work with rather than working through a state agency.”

Furthermore, LMH officials said, there is no clear pattern to the denials among the three different contractors. One type of claim that is denied by any one of the companies is often routinely approved by the other two, they said.

Since KanCare began in 2013, Schraad said she has had to double the number of employees in her department who deal

with claims and appeals just to keep up with the volume of work.

But officials from all three of the companies that manage the system, United Healthcare, Sunflower Health Plan and Amerigroup, insisted they do not send out denial notices without some kind of explanation.

Tim Spilker, CEO of United Healthcare Community Plan, said overall his company denies only about seven percent of all claims, while Laura Hopkins, CEO of Amerigroup Kansas Plan, said her company’s denial rate was about 11-12 percent.

Rep. Jim Ward (D-Wichita), who serves on the joint panel, said he has heard similar reports from the two major hospitals in his community, Via Christi Hospital and Wesley Medical Center.

Sen. Laura Kelly (D-Topeka), said she has heard similar complaints since the beginning of KanCare in 2013.

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(continued from page nine)

would see any difference, but you would recognize more money available to put into the classroom to pay teachers more.”

The State Department of Education said in 2014-15, districts spent 61 percent of their operating budgets on instruction. Some legislators and educators argue the definition of classroom spending should be broader, covering libraries, professional development for teachers and services for students, such as counseling.

“The assumption is that just spending more money, quote, ‘in the classroom’ gives you better results in the classroom,” said Mark Tallman, a Kansas Association of School Boards lobbyist. “What matters is that you also have to spend enough.”

Sports championship legacy Smoking guns Takedown kids grapplers claim top honors at Gunsmoke Nationals • Page 21

The Scott County Record

www.scottcountyrecord.com

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Page 17

Scott Community High School senior Sloan Baker holds up four fingers to signify four state titles won by the Beavers in five seasons following their Class 3A championship game at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in March.

(Record Photo)

Beavers add to their state championship titles during ‘15 Scott City may consider itself a football town, but SCHS head coach Glenn O’Neil and his Beavers have firmly established that basketball can thrive here as well.

The SCHS boys posted a 25-1 record and with a 60-48 win over Wichita Collegiate in the Class 3A title game earned their fourth state championship in the last five seasons.

All four championships have come at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. That string of titles was interrupted by a runner-up finish in the Class 4A-Division II tournament in 2014.

Of course, the Beavers have plenty of reason to celebrate their improbable streak.

Even after playing the entire 32 minutes of the state title game, the last thing a sweatsoaked Sloan Baker wanted to do was come off the court.

The Scott City senior was charged with emotion as he raced to the far end of the Hutchinson Sports Arena, holding up four fingers towards the Scott City fans that filled one side of the arena. Working his way to the other end of the floor, Baker kept shouting, “Four in five years! That’s four in five years!”

The SCHS fans were standing and applauding in appreciation of the Beavers following the state title game.

“Defense wins championships, just like the banner says,” noted a more subdued Baker afterwards, pointing to the banner that hung over the Collegiate student section. “I guess we did it better than they did tonight.”

Baker, who finally got to play a full game after experiencing

early foul trouble in his three previous games, going back to the sub-state finals - made the most of his opportunity.

In addition to a double-double - 12 points (6-of-7 FG) and 10 rebounds - Baker added four assists and three blocked shots.

It was a very efficient shooting night for the Beavers who were 20-of-33 from the field, including 7-of-15 from beyond the three point line.

Collegiate held a huge advantage in field goal attempts (18-of-53) and offensive rebounds (19 compared to six for SCHS), but were just 1-of-15 from three-point range.

After scoring 11 points from turnovers in the first half, Collegiate added just four more in the second half.

“We tried to make some (halftime) adjustments, but the main thing was to do the things that got us here. And we did,” says Coach O’Neil. “We made some shots and we passed the ball to the open guy. Unfortunately, we had some turnovers, but you aren’t going to go turnover free against Collegiate.”

This was arguably Scott City’s toughest road to a title, going back to their final two games in sub-state play.

Trey O’Neil poured in a career high 42 points and the Beavers needed nearly every one of those in a 67-61 win over Minneapolis in the semi-finals. On the following night, SCHS was again pushed to the limit before escaping with a 61-60 win over Beloit on their home floor.

The nail-biters continued the following week where SCHS survived a 47-44 scare from Cheney in the opening round

SCHS seniors raising the championship plaque at the Class 3A state tournament are (from left) Brett Meyer, Sloan Baker, Trey O’Neil and Chantz Yager.

(Record Photo)

of state. That was followed by a 63-55 win over Wellsville in the semi-finals.

During Scott City’s five seasons in which they appeared in a state title game the Beavers posted a combined record of 121-8.

Tucker Wins Gold When you have an entire day to prepare for the most important match of your wrestling career, it gives you a lot of time to think.

Zach Tucker had just one thing on his mind while preparing for the championship finals of the 106-pound division in the Class 3-2-1A state tournament.

“Getting the takedown was all I thought about. We knew that if I was going to win the match I had to get the takedown,” said the Scott Community High School junior and first-time state qualifier.

Tucker got the critical first period takedown and withstood a flurry of action in the third period on his way to a 5-2 decision over Ryan Johnson (Norton).

Even though Johnson had defeated Tucker twice during the season in the finals of the Norton tournament (5-2) and in the regional finals by a 4-2 score, head coach Jon Lippelmann had confidence in his 106-pounder heading into the championship

match.

Tucker (35-9) had been impressive in his three previous matches - winning in the opening round by a major decision and adding two falls that put him into the finals.

“We had some success against (Johnson) the first two times. We knew we could take him down, but we had to be aggressive,” says Lippelmann.

“We knew our mistakes all year long had been from us losing focus, dropping our hips and getting into bad position.”

That nearly happened again early in the championship match when Johnson came out (See TUCKER on page 18)

The Scott County Record • Page 18 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Outdoors in Kansas by Steve Gilliland

Do your homework for anterless deer season Just when I thought the confusing Kansas deer hunting regulations had been streamlined to help end most confusion, I looked at the dates for the upcoming extended antlerless-only season to find there are three different sets of dates depending on the deer management unit in which you live.

I’m not complaining though because I feel like the varied deer populations in the state were seriously considered this year when setting these dates.

As in years past, there is an extended deer firearms season across the state for antlerless whitetail deer only, where any unfilled deer permit from a regular season is valid.

An antlerless deer is defined in the regulations as “a deer without a visible antler plainly protruding from the skull.”

Before you read any further, I suggest you go to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website, or open a copy of the printed Kansas Hunting regulations and become familiar with the nineteen deer management units around the state, and where they are.

The boundaries for all these units are major highways across the state, NOT county lines, so different parts of different counties are in different management units. All extended antlerless only seasons begin on January 1, but run for different lengths of time, ending on different dates.

In deer management units 6, 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17, the extended antlerless season runs for 3 days, from January 1 thru January 3.

In management units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 the (See DEER on page 23)

Zach Tucker looks to the Scott City fans in Gross Memorial Coliseum after winning the 106-pound title match in the Class 3-21A state tournament .

(Record Photo)

Tucker aggressive on his feet and nearly scored with a takedown.

“We worked our way through that,” said Lippelmann. “That was a quick reminder.”

Tucker quickly responded by getting a first period takedown for the early 2-0 advantage.

After that, Lippelmann says the emphasis was on the cross-face cradle.

“We knew that was the answer. If we were going to turn him, it wasn’t going to happen with the legs, but with the crossface cradle. Stay on that hard, keep your hips up and run everything like you mean it,” he said.

Tucker says the key was good position on top and maintaining control of Johnson. He did that throughout the remainder of the first period and for most of the second period before giving up a reversal with just 17 seconds remaining.

With the match tied 2-2 heading into the third period, and choosing the bottom position, Tucker felt real good about his situation.

“I felt I was in real good position and there was a good chance I could

(continued from page 17)

get the win,” says Tucker.

Tucker was able to regain a 3-2 lead with an escape with 1:24 left in the third period. That forced Johnson to become more aggressive in an attempt to score a go-ahead takedown. At the same time, Tucker didn’t go into defensive mode.

“I felt I had to stay aggressive, cross-face when he shot and drive him to the mat,” says Tucker.

Johnson was able to shoot inside and get a leg, but Tucker was able to use his length to lock up a cradle at times, though he couldn’t turn Johnson to his back. At one time, both wrestlers remained locked up and rolling on the mat while trying to gain control.

While the hectic action created a lot of excitement among the Scott City and Norton fans, Tucker remained calm.

“I knew he wasn’t going to get me. I was hanging on in the right spots,” he says. “I was more in control than it might have looked.”

“Good wrestling can go either way,” noted Lippelmann. “It’s a slip, a matter of letting go somewhere when you shouldn’t, hav-

ing lower hips and shoulders than the other guy . . . Zach did a good job of holding onto the toe and refusing to let go until we were back on top and laying down the pressure.”

However, the SCHS grappler wasn’t assured of the win until the official finally decided that Tucker was in control and awarded him a takedown with only nine seconds left in the match to give him a three point cushion.

“I didn’t think they were going to give me the takedown. I thought we were either going to hang there the rest of the match or it would be a stalemate,” he says.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Tucker said he closed his eyes.

“I knew what that meant. I was holding on for dear life,” he says.

“It’s pretty rewarding to not be here before and then to win the whole thing,” noted Lippelmann.

“We’d like to think that we prepare our kids to do that, but it takes hard work and it takes a lot of time.

Believe me, Zach has put that in.”

As a team, SCHS made the most of its return to the Class 3A ranks where

they last won a state championship in 2012.

Five Beavers earned state medals, including Tucker, Jarret Jurgens (4th, 132), James Jurgens (6th, 145), Cooper Griffith (3rd, 195) and Wyatt Eitel (6th, 220).

Meyer is Superman If Brett Meyer seemed a little more emotional than usual following the 800m run at the Kansas State Track and Field Championships, he had good reason.

He had watched his older brother, Joey, finish second in the event in three consecutive years.

Brett had to settle for a fourth place medal in the previous year’s grueling Class 4A state meet, despite running a career best of 1:57.47.

“It feels so good to finally win it. This was for my brother and me,” said Meyer after closing out his high school career with his best-ever time of 1:56.14.

At one time, Meyer had considered challenging the state and school record held by Scott City’s Jared Storm (1:53.56, 1989).

But doing so, he says, would have meant at least a 55 second time on the

first lap.

“I decided it would be better just to run my race.

I knew I could win doing that,” he says.

Meyer did hit the midway point in 57.093 which put him in third place behind a familiar opponent in Russell’s Noah Gfeller (55.51) and Hesston’s Austin Bollinger (56.98).

Just like he has done so often this season, Meyer began his kick with 300 meters remaining and took the lead for the first time at the 200 meter mark. And just like he did in two previous head-tohead races against Meyer, all Gfeller could do was watch the inevitable.

Once he moved to the front, Meyer was in firm control of the race, extending his lead down the home stretch and finishing nearly four seconds ahead of Gfeller (1:59.99).

Spectacular Finish When Meyer took the baton in the 4x800m relay it looked like a gold medal opportunity had slipped away from the Scott Community High School boys.

The senior was in fourth place and trailed (See MEYER on page 19)

Meyer first place Beloit by about 25 meters.

There were probably only four people in Cessna Stadium who believed that Meyer had any chance at overcoming that kind of deficit. Fortunately, Meyer was one of them. The other three were his teammates.

Meyer responded with one of the most spectacular races of the Kansas Track and Field Championships, passing all three runners ahead of him and pulling away on the home stretch to give the Beavers the first of their three track titles on the day.

“All I was thinking was that I had to run faster than normal on the first lap,” said Meyer, who never considered anything less than a gold.

“Usually, I keep the first lap around 58 (seconds) and I have a better kick,” said Meyer, who was forced to pick up the pace and complete the first lap in 56.1. “Even as we were starting the last lap they were still ahead of me by a long ways. I had to kick earlier than I usually do with about 350 (meters) left. I knew I had to start there if I was going to catch the Beloit kid.

He was way out of my range,” Meyer says.

But he wasn’t far enough.

Meyer was able to pass runners from Humboldt and Hesston, setting up a dual with Beloit’s Colson Reames. Meyer pulled even with Reames as they came around the final curve and the two runners were running sideby-side for about 40 meters.

At that point, Meyer said he wasn’t concerned.

“I always know my kick will be there, but it was kind of scary for awhile.”

The Beavers got strong performances from leadoff runner Jess Drohman (2:06.1), followed by Irvin Lozano (2:06.3).

“I was looking not to get boxed in where everyone cuts in,” says Drohman. “I felt real good about how I ran the first two laps.”

Drohman was in third place after the first lap and had moved into second place at the exchange.

Lozano, who ran his fastest split of the season, felt he needed to run a smart race.

“I was willing to let others

The Scott County Record • Page 19 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

(continued from page 18)

take the early lead and make my move at the end,” says the sophomore, who had the Beavers in first place when he made the exchange to Ruelas.

The freshman ran a solid 59 second split in the first lap, but he faded in the final 300 meters.

“I don’t have a good kick so I tried to make up for it on the first lap. I didn’t have a lot left for the last 100 or 200 (meters).

That’s something I have to work on,” said Ruelas, who was competing in his first state meet. “I was pretty nervous, but I could only think about getting Brett the win.”

At the exchange, Meyer trailed first place Beloit by six seconds. However, the Beavers were able to get the win, finishing 1.3 seconds ahead of the Trojans.

Add 4x400m Gold Scott City’s gold medal in the 4x400m wasn’t as dramatic, but it was just as exciting.

The Beavers turned in four solid performances, starting with Wyatt Kropp (52.09), followed by McRae (51.38) and Trey O’Neil (52.05).

But the Beavers still trailed Collegiate by nearly a full second when Meyer took the final exchange. While he was looking to catch the Spartan anchor, it appeared that Beloit’s R.J. Jackson might pull even until the 200 meter mark when Meyer found another gear.

He caught Collegiate with just under 100 meters remaining and was able to outdual their anchor to win by 21/100 of a second.

Meyer had a final split of 50.79 and the Beavers posted a winning time of 3:26.81.

Scott City senior Brett Meyer raises the baton in celebration as he crosses the finish line for a gold medal in the 4x800m relay at the Class 3A state track meet.

(Record Photo)

SCHS sophomore Makaela Stevens passes Hutch-Trinity’s Celia Biel on the final hill with just a half mile remaining in the Class 3A state crosscountry championships at Lawrence.

(Record Photo)

Stevens Wins XC Silver Cross-country, says Makaela Stevens, is mental.

The Scott Community High School junior showed her mental toughness when she finished as the Class 3A state runner-up and led her team to a fourth place finish at Rim Rock Farm.

“I ran a faster pace early in the race because I wanted the leaders to know that I was someone they had to watch out for,” says Stevens.

(See X-COUNTRY on page 22)

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The Price Families

323 S. Main • 872-5667

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1503 S. Main • 872-3393

L&M Western Tire & Oil, Inc.

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The Scott County Record

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Western Ks. Chiropractic

The Rec Pool Hall

Gifts Etc.

405 Main • 909-5002

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Tate’s Restaurant

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872-5655

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State Farm Insurance

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El Quartelejo Inn & Suites

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313 Main • 872-2105

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410 E. 1st St., Scott City 620-872-5823 • 800-931-COOP www.scottcoop.com

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1130 W. K96 Hwy. • 872-2315

MTM Siding & Glass

The following sponsors want you to have a safe and happy start to the upcoming new year.

Scott County law enforcement urges you to have a designated driver, or to celebrate New Year’s Eve in moderation.

We will be on the watch for DUI offenders.

0.016 0.015 0.014

200 220 240

0.027

0.029

0.032

0.036

0.040

0.046

0.054

0.065

2

0.040

0.044

0.048

0.054

0.060

0.069

0.081

0.097

3

0.053

0.058

0.064

0.072

0.080

0.092

0.108

0.0129

4

0.067

0.073

0.080

0.090

0.101

0.115

0.135

0.0162

5

0.081

0.088

0.097

0.108

0.121

0.138

0.161

0.194

6

Number of Drinks

0.095

0.102

0.113

0.126

0.141

0.161

0.188

0.226

7

0.108

0.117

0.129

0.144

0.161

0.184

0.215

0.258

8

0.121

0.131

0.145

0.162

0.181

0.207

0.242

0.291

9

One drink is considered: 1 beer • 1 3 oz. glass of wine • 1 shot or 1 ounce of hard liquor The legal limit in Kansas is .08%. In other words, if you weigh 180 pounds, your fifth beer will put you over the limit These are estimates. The impact on different individuals will vary.

0.018

180

0.020

0.023

140 160

0.027

0.032

1

120

100

Weight

Effects of alcohol consumption based on individual’s weight and drinks

The Scott County Record • Page 20 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

The Scott County Record • Page 21 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

World record holder: ‘become a true expert at something’ Ron Wilson Huck Boyd Institute

Not one, not two, but 14 world records. That is an amazing accomplishment by one man. All of these records have to do with basketball free throws, and they were all set by a man from rural Kansas.

Bob Fisher is the man who set these world records. He grew up at Vermillion in northeast Kansas and moved to Centralia.

After living in Dallas for six years, he and his wife, Connie, moved back to Centralia where Bob is a technician for USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service.

He also serves as a shooting coach for basketball players.

“Twenty-seven years ago I got the advice to

become a true expert in something,” Fisher said.

He decided to become an expert in shooting a basketball.

Fisher had been a basketball player in high school.

“I loved the game but I wasn’t athletic enough to go higher with it,” he said.

“In track, I was always just ahead of the guy who finished dead last.”

Years later, while looking for a hobby, he thought about basketball specifically, shooting. He read all he could from all kinds of sources and studied from the gurus of basketball. Then in 2007, he read a book which totally changed his approach to the game.

“Dr. John Fontanella’s book The Physics of Basketball had a profound influence on my

thinking,” Fisher said.

This book dealt with the science of the basketball moving through the air.

It applied the theories of physics to the challenge of directing a sphere to a specific spot.

“Professor Fontanella applied physics to the flight of the ball and calculated the exact launch angle of the free throw for players of different heights,” Fisher said.

Fisher studied the science of shooting, including the biomechanics of the hand and arm. “What’s really important is where the force is being applied to the ball at the moment of release.”

His scientific study resulted in changing his release method for shooting.

“After two months, I made 246 free throws in

a row, missed one, and made 200 more,” says Fisher.

He’s now a shooting coach for others from California to Detroit.

Since Fisher had accomplished great accuracy in his shooting, his next challenge was speed.

“The Guiness Book of World Records said that some guy in Sweden had made 48 free throws in one minute, so I set out to beat it,” Fisher said.

In January 2010, he made 50 in one minute and from there began to set all kinds of free throw records.

Today, Fisher holds the following world records for free throws made: 33 in 30 seconds, 50 in one minute, 92 in two minutes, 448 in ten minutes, and 2,371 in one hour.

Furthermore, he holds

tourney champions

The Scott City Takedown Wrestling Club claimed first place in the Gunsmoke Nationals held recently in Dodge City. Competing in the tournament were (front row, from left) Kirbey Rohrbough, Trenton Frank, Brodey Rohrbough, Matthew Wheeler, Kasey Rohrbough and Noah Wheeler.

(Middle row) Kade John, Collin McDaniel, Houston Frank, Waylon Ricker and Zach Rohrbough.

(Back row) Justus McDaniel, Kaden Wren, Kale Wheeler, Leightyn Heim and Lance Miller. Not pictured are Konner Rohrbough, Caleb VanDegrift, Conner Armendariz, Case Armendariz, Blaze Gossman, Eli Lisenby and Kamdyn Moore.

(Record Photo)

the world records for most free throws in one minute and in two minutes while alternating shooting hands, in one minute underhanded, and in one minute and two minutes while shooting blindfolded, plus in one minute while standing on one leg.

On top of that, he holds several records with partners: Most free throws made in one minute by a pair of people, most made in one minute by a pair using two balls, and most made in one minute by a coed pair.

One of his records was set in Los Angeles at the NBA All-Star jam session. He’s appeared on the Tonight Show and is writing a chapter about shooting for a book to be published by an international shooting coach.

All this is amazing for a man born in the rural

community of Vermillion (pop. 104).

It’s also worth noting that he was age 52 when he set his first world record.

“Connie has been a huge part of my success,” Bob said of his wife, who documents his records and works with Guinness to get them approved.

Not one, not two, but 14 world records. That’s the accomplishment of Bob Fisher, who is making a difference by understanding and teaching the science of free throw shooting.

Like a well shot free throw, this project is good.

For more information, go to www.secretsofshooting.com.

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University

Hawks, Sooners in early season hoops showdown Kansas University is cocked and primed for a run at their 12th consecutive Big 12 basketball championship. by UCLA of the Pac-10 ConferMac ence holds the all-time record of Stevenson 13 straight titles. Coach Bill Self’s streak of championships has, justifiably, become a national focus.

In order to win the league championship, it’s vital to get off to a fast start. That isn’t going to be easy this time around. The Jayhawks open Big 12 play against Baylor on Jan. 2 and then play Oklahoma on ESPN’s Big Monday on Jan. 4.

Both games will be in Allen Fieldhouse.

KU and OU are the two best teams in the Big 12. Iowa State isn’t far behind, but the Cyclones lack depth. Texas has a new coach and the Longhorns are improving fast. West Virginia is pressing all over the court and the Mountaineers will be formidable at home.

Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech all show promise and will be factors in the title chase.

Kansas will defeat Baylor in the opener, but Oklahoma will be the best team the Jayhawks have played this season, with the exception of Michigan State. OU has stellar guards led by Buddy Hield (sr, 6-4, 212), who is being heralded as a candidate for National Player of the Year.

(See SHOWDOWN on page 23)

The Scott County Record • Page 22 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

X-Country In particular, she was focused on HutchinsonTrinity’s Celia Biel who had defeated Stevens by 46 seconds in the regional meet a week earlier.

“My goal was to beat the girl from regional because last year I beat the (champion) from regional,” Stevens says. “By staying with the Trinity girl, I wanted to get in her head and see if it would affect how she raced. It’s all mental.”

The sophomore started out strong, moving into the number five spot just a half-mile into the race and then settling into the number three position at the midway mark - right on Biel’s shoulder. With just over a half-mile remaining, on the last major hill before the home stretch, Stevens powered past Biel on the climb and eventually opened up a nine second gap.

“Makaela ran a very tactical race,” says head coach Kevin Reese.

“Latching into the Trinity runner, she may have forced the girl to run a little harder than she wanted early in the race and Makaela was able to take advantage of that.

“Makaela is such a strong runner, which we see on the hills, but she’s also tough-minded. She made up her mind that she wasn’t going to let this race get away from her.”

Even though Stevens began to feel the 6:34 per mile pace taking a toll at the midway mark, she could also sense that it was having an effect on Biel.

“I knew I couldn’t slow down and that I had to work through it. When the Trinity girl began slowing down I wasn’t going to back off my pace,” she says. “That’s when I passed her. That’s when all the hill work and practices at (Lake Scott) paid off.”

Even after making her move with a half-mile remaining, Stevens was concerned that Biel might have a late kick and overtake her.

“I had to work really, really hard to make sure that didn’t happen,” she adds. “I don’t usually have much of a kick, but I felt that if I was going to keep her from passing me I had to find one . . . and I did.”

It was the second time in two state appearances that Stevens has earned All-State honors after

(continued from page 19)

finishing seventh a year ago when the event was a two-mile race. The opportunity to compete on the same Rim Rock course at the 3.1 mile distance earlier this fall paid off as Stevens improved on her time by 31 seconds.

“I’ve run this course before and I knew what to expect,” she added. “I just had to run my own race.”

And be mentally tough.

Teams are Fourth Nine points was all that separated the Scott Community High School girls from their first-ever state plaque in crosscountry.

The Lady Beavers (109) finished in fourth place for the second consecutive year at the Class 3A State Championships at Rim Rock Farm near Lawrence.

Consensus No. 1 ranked Southeast of Saline (85) proved they were the top team, followed by Hiawatha (93) and Douglass (100).

Running their fastest times of the season on the demanding Rim Rock course were sophomore Trella Davis (20th, 21:21) and freshman Dulce Ayala (25th, 21:28). Sophomore Olivia Prieto posted a time of 22:17 to finish 39th overall and 25th in the team scoring. She was followed by junior Paige Winderlin (76th, 24:02).

Three times Dylan Hutchins earned a trip to the Class 3A State CrossCountry Championships and three times he was on a team that finished among the top five in state.

This past season, however, the SCHS senior earned All-State honors as well by finishing among the top 20 on the Rim Rock Farm layout near Lawrence.

“It’s been a good high school career and I’ve been very fortunate to compete with some very good teammates so that we could do so well up here every year,” noted Hutchins, who posted a time of 17:53 to finish 16th out of 106 runners.

“It wouldn’t be near as much fun if I was doing this without being part of a team.”

The Beavers finished fourth with 140 points behind Halstead (52), Riley County (91) and Council Grove (114). During Hutchins’ two prior trips to the state meet, Scott City was a runner-up (2012) and fifth (2014).

Jon Lippelmann, wrestling head coach at SCHS for the past 30 years, observes his team in action during the GWAC dual tournament.

(Record Photo)

Junior Jess Drohman, as he had throughout the season, set the pace for the Beavers, finishing 10th (17:46) and also earning All-State honors in his first year of cross-country.

Other state results included Austin Rios (51st, 18:44), Drew Duff (56th, 18:50) Seth Cardenas (60th, 18:56), Irvin Lozano (64th, 19:00) and Conner LeBeau (81st, 19:33).

Lippelmann Wins No. 300 With the 36-28 team win over Ulysses during the GWAC tournament, head coach Jon Lippelmann earned his 300th duel victory as the head coach at SCHS, putting him in the No. 7 spot among wrestling coaches in Kansas high school history.

The Beavers had picked up win No. 299 against Goodland in the opening round of the Great West Activities Conference duel tournament.

For Lippelmann, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that was 30 years in the making. The SCHS head coaching job is the first and only of his career that began with the 198485 season.

“Longevity has something to do with it,” acknowledges Lippelmann.

“To get all 300 right here in Scott City makes this even more special.”

Lippelmann becomes just the seventh coach in Kansas High School wrestling history to reach 300 duel wins, according to records compiled by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. Six of the seven coaches are still active.

Senior linebacker Cooper Griffith returns an interception 32 yards for a touchdown during a bi-district playoff win over Lyons.

(Record Photo)

Those 300 represent not just quantity, but quality.

“A lot of those matches came during the 1980s and ‘90s against the Northwest Kansas League, which were the kings of the mat,” says Lippelmann, himself a NWKL product who graduated from Oberlin.

Lippelmann’s teams have also captured four state championships three in Class 4A (1990, 1994, 2004) and the other in Class 3A (2012).

Football Team is 10-1 Coming off a season in which the Beavers advanced to the Class 3A state finals and were hit hard by graduation, there

were a lot of questions about how the SCHS football team would respond.

They answered the skeptics with a perfect regular season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing on a last second touchdown to Norton, 28-24 It continued an incredible stretch in which head coach Glenn O’Neil and his Beavers have won at least 10 games for eight consecutive seasons. Since taking over as the head coach in 2007, O’Neil has compiled a 9714 record - No. 1 on the SCHS coaching list.

As with the start of any season, there were a lot of questions surrounding personnel and those ques-

tions were warranted following a tough 30-15 win over Clearwater in the opener.

But SCHS saw steady improvement during a season that saw them defeat eventual Class 4ADivision II champion Holcomb, 15-7, and Class 4A-Division I powerhouse Ulysses, 35-0. In all, Scott City defeated six teams that earned playoff berths, including Clearwater, Colby, Holcomb, Hugoton, Ulysses and Cimarron.

“That is one of the reasons I love coaching here. Our kids love football, they love to win and they expect to be good every year,” noted assistant coach Jim Turner.

Takedown Kids Wrestling Gunsmoke Nationals December 21, 2015 • at Dodge City Rookie Division 6-Years and Under 43: Noah Wheeler dec. Rylan Smith (Greater Gold), 6-5; maj. dec. by Jacob Olvedo (Greater Gold), 12-3; pinned by Paicen Schippers (Hoxie); dec. Johnny Quinoz (Dodge City); won by forfeit over Kale Davis (Lakin). Third place 52: Kasey Rohrbough pinned Kaden Murray (Southwest Grapplers), 0:19; pinned Collin Shockley-Peitz (Southwest Grapplers); pinned Christen Guzman (Southwest Grapplers), 1:59. First place 52: Kirbey Rohrbough tech. fall Traeton Mills (Ulysses), 15-0; pinned by Christen Guzman; dec. Nathan Santana (Dodge City); pinned Shockley-Peitz (SWG), 0:36. Third place 7-8-Years-Old 43-46: Konner Rohrbough dec. by Colt Fox (Young Guns), 7-2; pinned Henson Ayden (Wamego); pinned Aiden O’Crotty (Junior Indian Wrestling). Second place 61: Kamdyn Moore dec. by Dylan Brozek (Pratt), 9-4; dec.

Cody Newdigger (Pratt); dec. by Brodey Rohrbough (Scott City), 7-3; dec. by Adan Ornelas (Lakin).

61: Brodey Rohrbough pinned Adan Ornelas (Lakin), 1:45; dec. Moore (Scott City), 7-3; maj. dec. by Cody Newdigger (Pratt), 12-4; dec. Brozek (Pratt). Second place Open Division 7-8-Years-Old 52: Trenton Frank dec. Jaden Axtell (Valley Hts.); dec. by Marcus James Gonzales (Pomona Elite); dec. Elijah Hernandez (Purebred Wrestling), 4-2; dec. by Cash Carson (Newton). Third place 55: Eli Lisenby pinned by Manuel Amaro (Steel City Elite), 1:21; dec. by Acelyn Duran (Duran Wrestling Club); dec.

by Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses); dec. by Eli Loya (Young Guns Wrestling).

61: Matthew Wheeler pinned Gage Latham (Gray County), 0:27; dec. by Anthony Lopez (Colorado Bad Boys); dec.

by Blake Winsor (Pratt), 6-0; dec. Matthew Long (Greater Gold), 4-2. Third place 64: Blaze Gossman maj. dec. by Bryce Rairick (Mile High Wrestling), 10-0; dec. by Jayden Amaro (Dodge City).

64: Waylon Ricker dec. by Layne Juenemann (Hoxie); dec. Ashton Harlow (Sublette); dec. Ty Schmeidler (Hays); dec. Jayden Amaro (Dodge City). Third place 67: Kade John dec. by Ramses Ruiz (Dodge City); dec. by Kale Kern (Hoisington).

9-10-Years-Old 79-82: Case Armendariz pinned by Jeremiah Martinez (Colorado Bad Boys), 1:35; dec. by Josiah Guerrero (Ulysses).

85: Houston Frank dec. by Izaiah Tapia (Immortal Wrestling), 4-1; dec. Ryan Gonzales (Dodge City); dec. by Jacob Taliaferro (Hays); dec. Damien Quint (Pratt). Fifth place 11-12-Years-Old 80: Zach Rohrbough pinned by Elijah Olguin (Pomona Elite), 4:18; pinned Kolton Field (Norton), 2:16; pinned Elias Anguiano (Greater Gold); dec. by Luke Barker (Ulysses), 6-4; pinned Creighton Haney (Junior Indian Wrestling), 1:03.

Third place 84: Conner Armendariz pinned Sebastian Rodriguez (Greater Gold), 1:16; dec. Quentyn Frank (Kearney), 9-7 OT; maj. dec. Gatlin Hoch (Junior Indians), 15-6; pinned by Elijah Olguin (Pomona Elite), 0:14; dec. Darius Shields (Norton).

Second place 100-105: Kale Wheeler pinned Rudy Hernandez (Dodge City), 0:34; maj. dec. Trevor Stimatze (Junior Indians), 13-5; pinned by Jacob Liberatore (Bolingbrook Jr. Raiders), 1:02; pinned by Koda Dipman (Pratt), 0:30. Third place 115-120: Leightyn Heim dec. Gabriel Bailey (Lion Elite), 4-0; dec. Anthony Aldretti (POWa); dec. by Brody Nelson (Beatrice), 6-4. Second place 13-14-Years-Old 125: Kaden Wren tech. fall Jonathon Venture (Young Guns), 15-0; pinned Noah Barrett (LA Gente). First place 140-145: Caleb Vandegrift dec. by Lee Hatcher (Liberal), 7-3; pinned Hunter Hatcher (Liberal), 2:40; pinned by Weston Maravilla (Ulysses), 1:42; pinned by Jayce Hamel (Hill City), 2:54. Fourth place

Deer

(continued from page 18)

extended antlerless season runs for 10 days, January 1 thru January 10.

Finally, in an effort to thin the deer herd in the Topeka to Kansas City corridor, the extended antlerless season in units 10A, 15 and 19 runs for 17 days, from January 1-17. Unit 10A is Fort Leavenworth and is open only to active and retired military personnel.

Unit 19 is the metropolitan area from Topeka to Kansas City and takes in Topeka, Lawrence, Olathe and Kansas City.

Management unit 15 is in south-central Kansas.

Deer management unit 18 in extreme southwestern Kansas has no extended antlerless season this year.

Unfilled deer permits are valid statewide, so if you have not yet filled your tag for this year, you can hunt in the upcoming Kansas extended antlerless deer season anywhere in Kansas except in unit 18 which has no extended season this year. Just be aware of which management unit you are hunting in and know the dates for that unit.

And remember, only antlerless whitetails can be taken. My wife har-

vested a nice buck the second day of firearms season, but I have yet to fill my tag, so I’m excited and ready to get a nice doe. As our second deer this year, it will be the one I get to make a little jerky and summer sausage with.

Showdown KU and OU are similar with experienced and exceptional guard play. The Jayhawks, however, have more talent and depth on the front line with seniors Perry Ellis, Hunter Michelson, Landen Lucas, Jamari Traylor and freshmen Cheick Diallo and Carlton Bragg.

Diallo is finding his way and will soon become a force in the pivot. He played just nine minutes in the win against San Diego State, but Diallo showed improvement.

Bragg is going to earn more minutes as he becomes more comfortable in Coach Self’s system.

It’s early in the season for a big game, but KUOU is just that. There’s more pressure on KU because losing a home game is far more costly than a loss on the road.

Having the students gone for semester break is another positive for OU. With KU ranked No. 2 in the nation and OU No.

The Scott County Record • Page 23 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

(continued from page 21)

3, the guess here is that a lot of students - semester break aside - will make the drive to Lawrence.

By then they’ll be tired of their parents and ready for a party.

If Kansas wins their first two Big 12 games, the Jayhawk train will pick up momentum and be hard to derail.

Awaiting QB Decision Kansas State plays Arkansas this Saturday (Jan. 2) at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. Much has been made about the Razorback’s vaunted line and their balanced offensive attack. Not much has been said about their defense. It’s not great.

Arkansas gave up a lot of points in games against Texas Tech (34), Texas A&M (28), Alabama (27), Auburn (46), Mississippi (52), and Mississippi State (50).

K-State coach Bill Snyder hasn’t declared who will be his starting quar-

terback - Joe Hubener (jr., 6-5, 211) has held the job for most of the season, but Kody Cook (sr., 6-1, 200) took over for Hubener against West Virginia and led K-State to a vital win.

Hubener will probably start, but he’ll be on a short leash. For one thing, Hubener might be the Wildcats’ starting quarterback next season. But Cook has played well and he’ll take over if Hubener gets off to a poor start.

“Looking at their offense, they have a very big, physical, experienced offensive line, excellent tight end, 3,000-yard passer and 1,400-yard rusher . . . most people would say they’re a team that really wants to run the ball, and yet you look at their statistics and they’re pretty balanced between the run and the pass,” observed Snyder.

“I think that is a positive thing for any offensive football team.”

Nothing was mentioned about the Razorbacks’ defense.

The point spread has gone up slightly, favoring Arkansas by 13 points.

That’s a fairly high point spread for a bowl game.

Snyder has proven over almost a quarter of a century that his teams are well-prepared for their bowl games. The prediction: Arkansas 35-Kansas State 31.

Bowl Playoffs Oklahoma will play unbeaten Clemson on Thursday, Dec. 31, in the Final Four of college football.

The game will be at the Orange Bowl and televised by ESPN. It would be wonderful for the Big 12 if the Sooners beat Clemson and then go on to win the national championship. That would solidify the Big 12 Conference.

And it would prove that being a 10-team league can have its advantages.

The Scott County Record • Page 24 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

looking back

The Scott County Record • Page 25 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

All-School reunion, big wheat, fall harvests, declining Ogallala tops list

director, “was something I the El Quartelejo Museum. “I always thought we should do.” feel confident that we will be able to pull together the neces- All-School Reunion Beaver blue runs deep in sary resources where the DAR the veins of anyone who has (Daughters of the American had a connection with Scott Revolution) couldn’t.”

Community High School and Thomas was referring to the that was evident when sports DAR which, at one time, owned was the central theme for the the site where El Quartelejo is located and had ambitions All-School Reunion that was of constructing a building to held the weekend of July 3-4.

More than 1,400 alumni and protect the ruins. However, the organization was never able to family registered for two days pull together the resources to of activities that included golf, make that happen and eventu- mud volleyball, parade, the ally turned ownership of the honoring of coaches and athsite over to the state about two letes and a reunion meal at the fairgrounds. years ago.

“It was another super event Preliminary plans call for construction of an 84x66 foot and it was terrific the way the building that will enclose the community came together and 49x36 foot pueblo foundation. made this such a success,” says Once enclosed, the foundation Katie Eisenhour of the reunion will be excavated to reveal what committee.

Those sentiments were it actually looks like. echoed

by Lori Krause who In addition, there will be said they received a lot of a walkway inside the pueblo along with an interpretative great feedback from alumni area that will feature actual arti- and coaches who were excited about the opportunity to recall facts from the site.

“We’ll be able to tell the story Scott City’s sports history.

“This community takes a lot of El Quartelejo so that people of pride in its school and in the come away with a full undersuccess of its sports teams,” standing of why the Taos and noted Krause.

“I think we saw Picuris Pueblos came here and that this weekend with the numwhat life was like in this area at the time,” Thomas says. “This ber of people who attended the will also be a great opportunity recognition program.”

One of the weekend’s highto share the history of Battle Canyon and guide visitors to lights was the unveiling of new plaques on the Wall of Honor at the El Quartelejo Museum.”

He says the state is particu- Scott Community High School. larly interested because it sees Among those unveiled were El Quartelejo as a pilot project plaques honoring wrestling for similar fundraising events coaching Jon Lippelmann for that will be held in conjunction his many accomplishments over with other historic sites around the past 30 years, including the 300 duel win plateau this past Kansas.

His goal is for the interpreta- season.

Plaques were also unveiled tive center to be completed in honoring the 2006 Class 4A 2-1/2 years.

Robin Jennison, director state championship boy’s basof the Kansas Department of ketball team and SCHS coaches Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, during the 1975 season. reminded those gathered for the October announcement that Sports Panels At the far end of the Main plans to protect the ruins and establish a cultural center have Street corridor the reunion committee donated 10 large panels been discussed before.

“The director of the state (two sides each) that recognize parks agency was out here the highlights of SCHS sports and said the rebuilding of El over the years. The history of Quartelejo will most certainly each sport, outstanding seasons start by September,” Jennison and individual accomplishnoted. “That was in July of ments, will be on permanent display in the high school.

1939. We’re a little bit late.”

In addition to each of the The project, says the KDWPT (continued from page one)

Former SCHS football coach Larry Huck offers some thoughts and history of athletics before several sports panels are unveiled during a recognition program held in the high school.

(Record Photo

Past May Fete queens at SCHS who were present for the unveiling of their history panel at the all-school reunion were (from left) Karen (Hoeme) Black (1965), Janice (Buehler) Storm (1964), Ellen (Brittan) Eaton (1960), Patti (Thiele) Anderson (1959), Mary Ann (Marcy) Evans (1957) and Virginia (Robinson) Robbins (1954).

(Record Photo)

sports, a panel was also unveiled that recognized the May Fete which had been a tradition from 1937-66. Six of the former queens were in attendance.

Former SCHS football coach Larry Huck led the unveiling ceremony.

“It’s hard not to get emotional about this,” said Huck as he reflected on the SCHS sports tradition.

The crowd of several hundred alumni and family retreated into the gym where there was an additional opportunity to recognize past and former coaches.

Former SCHS football coach Brent Glann (1998-99) was only in Scott City for two years, but appreciated the invitation and chance to return.

“I have nothing but good memories of coaching here,” he noted. “This community was very supportive of me and I appreciated the opportunity that I was given to coach here,” he said. “When you come back here you can see and feel the pride.”

But it wasn’t only the sports that left a good impression on those attending.

“The town has changed. It’s still growing,” noted long-time teacher and former coach Wes Bartlett, who left in 2006. “It’s changed a lot in the time since I’ve been gone.”

Wheat, Fall Harvests In April, Scott Co-op Manager Gary Friesen had all but written off this year’s wheat crop.

He certainly wasn’t alone as a very dry winter and early spring had taken its toll.

That’s made what he’s seen the last week even more incredible.

“I think we’re seeing some incredible yields,” says Friesen, noting that some dryland acres have produced 50-55 bushels.

Irrigated ground, as one would expect, is averaging in the 60-70 bushel range.

And while 50-55 bushels may not sound “spectacular,” given what the crop had to go through to make that happen is

a testament to the hardy nature of wheat.

“You have to say this crop has made an amazing recovery given how it looked in April,” says Friesen.

Not that everyone can boast of similar results. Friesen says there is also a lot of 20-25 bushel wheat being harvested.

Even in fields that may have looked good from the road, the results have been less than impressive once combines began cutting.

“Because of the drought there have been some pretty thin stands,” explains Friesen.

On average, he expects most farmers to see 30-35 bushel yields.

“I think everyone got a little overenthusiastic because of the rains. We felt it would have a little more impact than it actually did,” Friesen says.

He says that, along with providing better yields for some farmers, the unusual amount of moisture may have contributed to disease problems, which has (See HARVEST on page 32)

A monthly look at the highlights of 2015 January: •Scott County Hospital began operation of its newly acquired full-time MRI unit.

•SCMS eighth grader Parker Vulgamore was the Scott County spelling bee champion.

•On Jan. 25, Pedro Rojas, Jr., became the first baby born in 2015 at the Scott County Hospital.

February: •Security measures at the Law Enforcement Center were beefed up after tools were discovered for a possible escape attempt.

March: •The Scott County (USD 466) school district learned that it would lose $136,000 in state funding under the new block

grant finance formula approved by the legislature. Of that $76,340 would come out of the current year’s 2014-15 budget.

•Larry and Millie Dearden were named a Master Farmer and Master Homemaker by Kansas Farm Bureau.

Commission was defeated, 1,018 to 373.

•Dr. Calista Miller purchased the veterinary clinic from Dr. Charles Sourk who had operated the clinic south of Scott City since 1981.

•Former Scott City resident and chef Tate Roberts returned to his hometown to open Tate’s April: •SCHS Principal Shelly Restaurant which he operates Turner submitted her resigna- with his brother, Shannan. tion to accept a position as a loan officer at Security State May: •Brad McCormick was Bank.

•Strong winds and tornado announced as the new SCHS activity caused damage to the principal, coming from Garden Scott Co-op elevator at Shallow Plain.

•Jan Tucker resigned after 40 Water along with some farm buildings and sprinkler irriga- years as a bus route and activity tion systems in the area. driver for USD 466.

•Kevin Davis, who had been •A proposed $1.2 million wellness center to be oper- the SCHS FFA sponsor while ated by the Scott Recreation it was winning state champion-

ship honors and qualifying for national events, announced his resignation at the end of the 2014-15 school year.

•A dedication ceremony was held for the Veterans Memorial Park on east K96 Highway in Scott City.

•Jon Crane resigned after 33 years as an elementary school teacher in USD 466 at Shallow Water and SCES. June: •Chantz Yager completed construction of three picnic table shelters near Big Spring at Lake Scott as part of his Eagle Scout project.

•Some employees and community members met with county commissioners to air grievances with the management of the Scott County Hospital.

•The USD 466 board of education issued $95,443 in payments to its staff to offset a two percent pay cut district had to enact to close a major gap in the 2013-14 budget.

July: •The Scott County Hospital announced that it’s budget would include a paid full-time EMT position for the first time, in addition to the EMS director.

County commissioners were informed there is a shortage of EMTs for hospital transfers.

•Dana Shapland assumed duties as the Scott County public health director.

•Plunging oil and gas prices led to a 9% drop in Scott County’s assessed valuation (See MONTHLY on page 32)

The Scott County Record

Farm

Page 26 - Thursday, December 31, 2015

Rabies can be common in your cow herd When rabies is mentioned, it often conjures classic images from movies of an infected animal running rabid. While this viral disease seems far from concern, particularly in domestic animals, recent events suggest it is a bigger problem than traditionally thought.

The most commonly diagnosed domestic carrier of rabies in the Midwest is cats; however,

ag briefs

Payments only for those engaged in farming The USDA has finalized a rule ensuring farm safety-net payments are issued only to active managers of farms that operate as joint ventures or general partnerships.

The rule, which exempts family farm operations, closes a loophole where individuals who were not actively part of farm management still received payments.

The rule applies to operations seeking more than one farm manager and requires measurable, documented hours and key management activities each year.

The changes apply to payments from 2016 and subsequent crop years for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) and Marketing Loan Gains (MLG).

The rule does not apply to family farms or change regulations related to contributions of land, capital, equipment, or labor.

TPP vote not likely until late ‘16

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is now saying that the Trans-Pacific Partnership should not be sent to Congress for approval until after the 2016 November general elections and maybe not until after President Obama leaves office.

Reports indicate that McConnell feels the trade pact will be defeated if it were sent to Congress next spring or summer.

Dave Salmonsen, a trade advisor for American Farm Bureau expects that it will be tough to find time to get a vote on TPP even after the November elections and that a lot of stuff will be pushed back until after elections this next year.

in Kansas, there has been a recent increase in cattle confirmed with rabies.

“In Kansas the past two years, cattle have been the most common domestic species we’ve diagnosed with rabies,” said Gregg Hanzlicek, director of production animal field investigations for the veterinary diagnostic laboratory at Kansas State University.

This year has seen 13

We heard consistently that our current penalty matrix was not harsh enough to deter overpumping.

- Susan Metzger, assistant secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture

confirmed bovine cases.

In 2014, there were nine.

Hanzlicek said that in the state, the skunk is the most likely carrier that spreads the disease to domestic animals such as dogs, cats, horses and cattle. Those species then

will show the clinical signs of rabies.

For producers who are interested in where rabies has been located in Kansas, the veterinary diagnostic laboratory’s website, www.ksvdl.org, has a tab called “Disease

Trends” that showcases the number of recent rabies cases, by species within each county.

“Producers can use that map to see the specific cases of different diseases throughout the state,” Hanzlicek explained. “It is updated every Monday morning, and it shows in the state, county-bycounty, what species and the number of that species have been confirmed with

several important diseases including rabies.”

How Infection Occurs The rabies virus is spread through the saliva of a positive animal.

Being bitten by a positive animal is the primary way the virus is spread.

However, other methods of spreading the disease are saliva from a positive animal getting into (See RABIES on page 27)

Sorghum more profitable than corn May be answer to water woes on High Plains

by Bill Spiegel

Songwriters don’t include grain sorghum in the lyrics of country music like they do corn. However, falling commodity prices combined with the high cost of input prices may have High Plains farmers singing the blues and switching from corn production to grain sorghum.

That’s because it fits better than corn on many farms in the western fringes of the

Corn Belt. It is an opportunistic crop that can produce even in harsher climates.

“Sorghum uses less water, which is an important resource in the High Plains. Plus, it uses less fertilizer. Therefore, the environmental impact is much less compared with growing corn,” says Dale Artho, a grower from Wildarado, Tex. “We will heal some of our water woes with grain sorghum,” adds Clayton Short, Assaria, Ks. “It is a heat-resistant crop that is efficient at turning water into grain.”

As a nongenetically modified crop, grain sorghum has found favor in the U.S. export market. China imported some

six million metric tons (nearly 300 million bushels) of grain sorghum in the 2013-14 crop year, according to the U.S. Grains Council, up from just over one million metric tons the year before.

The USDA predicts China will be a major destination for U.S. sorghum for the next decade. Increased demand has prompted more sorghum plantings, from 7.1 million acres in the U.S. in 2014 to 7.5 million acres in 2015.

Factors at Play Grain sorghum and corn share many attributes. They have comparable nutritive qualities and can be used as

ethanol feedstock.

While corn has higher yield potential in optimal growing conditions, it’s often feast vs. famine. Under drought, corn may fail. Meanwhile, grain sorghum almost always produces a crop.

Scott Staggenborg, director of technical services for Chromatin, a Texas-based sorghum genetics company, says High Plains farmers can expect grain sorghum to be more profitable in less-thanideal growing conditions.

The two crops require about the same amount of fertilizer when the objective is 125-bushel-per-acre yields.

(See SORGHUM on page 27)

Drones must be registered with FAA Drones have become very popular for commercial and recreational purposes.

Owners of drones should be aware that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now requires individuals who own unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to register their craft.

The implementation of

Topeka farm show Jan. 5-7

Farmers visiting the 2016 Topeka Farm Show and the Kansas Soybean Expo 2016 will have the opportunity to see the newest and latest in farm and ranch equipment, plus attend the annual convention of the Kansas Soybean Commission.

The farm show will be held Jan. 5-7 while the Soybean Expo will be Wed., Jan. 6.

Show hours are Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.5:00 p.m., Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Admission and parking are free.

The farm show will feature over 485 companies and more than 725 display booths.

Domer Arena will be filled with displays to include grain and livestock trailers, portable buildings and livestock handling equipment.

Expo staff is estimating over 34,000 farmers and ranchers will attend.

Free horse training clinics will be held twice daily in Domer Livestock Arena.

this regulation has spurred many questions: How will this impact my farm? I don’t use my UAS for commercial purposes, so do I need to register?

The FAA provides very concise guidelines to help individuals determine if their UAS needs to be registered and what process should be used.

A UAS must be registered on-line if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds.

Unmanned aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds cannot use this

Market Report

Weather

Down on the Farm Chris Long Walnut Creek Extension Agent

Closing prices on December 29, 2015 Bartlett Grain Wheat.................. $ 4.04 White Wheat ....... $ 4.09 Milo .................... $ 2.96 Corn ................... $ 3.53 Soybeans (new crop) $ 7.79

your aircraft outside of the United States.

Most UAS owners who do not use their craft for commercial purposes will be able to register online. All that is needed to register is an email address, physical address and mailing address, and a credit card for the $5 registration fee.

(See DRONES on page 27)

Distillers Tubs for Sale

H

L

December 22 50

30

December 23 49

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December 24 46

22

December 25 46

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December 26 32

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December 27 28

19

Scott City Cooperative Wheat.................. $ 3.96 White Wheat ....... $ 4.01 Milo (bu.)............. $ 2.94 Corn.................... $ 3.51 Soybeans ........... $ 7.74 Sunflowers.......... $ 13.75

December 28 29

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Milo (bu.).............

Corn....................

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Food Facts In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

$ 4.06 $ 3.01 $ 3.56 $ 7.70 $ 14.25

registration process and must register using the aircraft registry.

Owners must register their UAS by paper if it meets any of the following guidelines: •Aircraft is used for commercial purposes (not for hobby or recreation).

•Aircraft is greater than 55 pounds •You intend to operate

P

Moisture Totals December

0.22

2015 Total

24.12

check us out at scottcountyrecord.com

NOTICE The Scott County Commissioners are accepting sealed bids for cash lease of the farm ground held in the Zella Carpenter Trust.

All sealed bids must be presented to: Scott County Clerk 303 Court Street, Scott City Before: Tuesday, Jan. 19, noon Information regarding the conditions of the lease, and the farm ground held in the Trust, can be obtained at the Scott County Clerk’s office at the address above.

The Scott County Commissioners reserve the right to accept or reject all bids.

with mineral package.

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Delivery available to all of NW Kansas and parts of eastern Colo. Quantity discounts available.

Call your Furst McNess Feed Dealers, Joni (785-6733415) or Randy (785-673-3105) in Grinnell, Ks.

The Scott County Record • Page 27 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Conservation of prairie dogs earns Sorghum Haverfields Spirit of Defenders award Larry Haverfield was never one to back down from what he thought was the right thing to do.

And for the Logan County rancher, that meant defending prairie dogs from elected officials and even his own neighbors who wanted them exterminated.

Not only was the late Haverfield successful in providing a haven on his ranch land near Winona, but through his efforts the keystone species was able to grow and prosper.

In recognition of those efforts, the Haverfield family was the recipient of the Spirit of Defenders Citizen Advocacy Award which was presented by Defenders of Wildlife.

Combined with their ranching practices, which they altered to protect native wildlife, their efforts have restored the

Rabies an open wound, or saliva from a positive animal getting into a mucus membrane - the eyes, gums or lips - of another animal or human.

The time between infection and the onset of clinical signs varies. It can range from as early as a few weeks to as late as a few months after infection.

“Many animals will start to carry the virus in their saliva before they start to show clinical signs,” Hanzlicek said, adding that the rabies virus is different than most other viruses, because it does not enter the bloodstream. Rather, the rabies virus travels through the nerves from the point of infection.

“Lets say an animal is bitten on its back leg,” Hanzlicek said. “Rabies will travel through the nerves of the back leg to the spinal cord, and then from the spinal cord, it will go to the brain. When it gets into the brain is when we start seeing the clinical signs.”

He said an animal that is bitten on the nose, as it is believed most cattle are, will start showing clinical signs earlier. This is because the virus has less distance to travel to the brain. This accounts for

Drones

ecosystem to its natural state, and eventually allowed for the reintroduction of endangered black-footed ferrets.

Today, the 10,000-acre grassland they ranch is the most wildlife-rich site for miles around, with the state’s largest prairie dog colonies, as well as teeming populations of swift fox, burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks and golden eagles.

“The Haverfield family has shown a true dedication to the conservation of prairie dogs and endangered blackfooted ferrets,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife.

“This Kansas family, driven by the passion of Larry Haverfield, has advocated for what they believe in: protecting the prairie grasslands and the wildlife that rely on them for

Jamie Rappaport Clark (left) president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, presents Cathy Lucas, daughter of Larry Haverfield, with the Spirit of Defenders award.

survival.

“They know firsthand how important it is to respect the land they live on and have made a lifelong commitment to living in harmony with the wildlife that shares it with them,” Clark said during the awards ceremony.

“It has been our honor to work with the Haverfield family as they create new models of profitable ranch management that will keep grasslands - and grassland creatures and the people who live there - alive for generations to come.”

(continued from page 26)

the time variation between being infected and showing clinical signs.

“Once rabies is in the brain, it will get into the salivary glands,” Hanzlicek said. “Then every time that animal bites another animal or human, it is going to spread the virus to those individuals. Toward the end of the disease, we believe all of the organs that have nerves are basically infected with the virus.”

Signs of infection Hanzlicek said that behavioral changes alone are not definitive for rabies. Other possible signs include anorexia, head pressing, bellowing (rabid cattle many times exhibit a unique vocalization), continually trying to defecate, unproductive defecation and unexplained rear-limb lameness.

“There are many different clinical signs, but we say if an owner sees one of his animals acting strangely, rabies has to be on the list to rule out,” Hanzlicek said.

He noted that there are two forms of rabies, furious form and dumb form.

“The furious form is the form we remember from the movies,

(continued from page 26)

If you register before Jan. 20, 2016, the registration fee will be refunded. The online registration process has been well implemented and is easy to do.

Impact on Ag The UAS registration should be considered a step in the right direction. Just as it’s important for the owners of vehicles to know driving protocols, UAS operators should also recognize we need to “share the sky.”

In addition, UAS has been clearly identified to be under the domain of the FAA for regulation, which will also be beneficial to agriculture.

Had it been determined that UAS would be regulated at the state level, regulations for UAS would then be different depending upon the state in which the pilot in command was located, or UAS use could have been potentially outlawed at each state’s discretion.

With the FAA in charge, UAS operators will have greater stability and consistency in regulations across state lines.

We highly encourage all UAS owners in agriculture to register their craft with the FAA and enroll in workshops that cover UAS flight safety.

where the dog becomes rabid,” Hanzlicek said.

“The infected animal will attack inanimate objects, such as tractors, feed bunks and fences. They will also attack animate objects, including other animals and humans. We do see cattle with the furious form, but it is more rare than the dumb form.”

“With the dumb form, they act like they are not aware of their surroundings. They are quiet. They stand off, and they may head press. Often, they will start drooling at the mouth and have difficulty swallowing, and they might become slightly bloated.”

Often when producers see abnormal salivation or trouble swallowing, they think something is stuck at the back of the throat. This can lead to human exposure to rabies, because producers will reach into the mouth of the cow or the calf to see if there is some object present.

If You Suspect Infection Hanzlicek stressed that there is no treatment for rabies. Once an animal shows clinical signs, typically within four to five days that animal will get progressively worse and die.

“If I am a producer, and I see a behavioral change in one of my animals, I will put rabies on the list of possible causes and call a veterinarian,” Hanzlicek said.

Most veterinarians are vaccinated for rabies.

They know what precautions to take to avoid contamination when examining the animal.

“Let the veterinarian look into the mouth of a potentially infected animal; don’t personally do those examinations,” says Hanzlicek.

“Unfortunately, the only way to definitively diagnose rabies is in a deceased animal, where a specific portion of the brain is required for testing.

There are effective rabies vaccinations available for humans, dogs, cats, horses and cattle.

Hanzlicek recommends that producers who show cattle consider vaccinating those cattle for rabies.

If those show animals contract rabies, there is more of a chance of exposure to humans.

“While it isn’t always practical to vaccinate the entire herd, some herds in Kansas have started due to the number of skunks present in their area,” he adds.

(continued from page 26)

Yet sorghum seed cost per acre is about one third the cost of corn seed.

The main factor of the profit equation, however, hinges on water availability. Grain sorghum begins producing grain at seven inches of moisture; corn requires 11 inches.

Grain sorghum will produce more grain per inch of moisture up to about 24 inches, compared with corn.

“When corn and grain sorghum prices are equal, grain sorghum is a more profitable crop to grow until corn yields exceed 141 bushels per acre,” Staggenborg says.

In the last two years, grain sorghum prices have been on par with those of corn throughout the High Plains, making grain sorghum a more profitable choice.

It’s not always that clear-cut, however. Grain sorghum production has some drawbacks.

Postemergence weed-control options are scant for sorghum and plentiful for corn. Plus, when growing conditions allow, dryland corn typically outyields grain sorghum.

Researchers are working on answers to both these challenges.

in Lubbock, Tex. Here’s how it could happen. In conventional sorghum hybrids, there are three flowers per floret at the top of the plant.

Only two of those flowers will make seed, says John Burke, director of the Cropping Systems Research at the USDAARS lab. The remaining florets will set two flowers, with just one seed resulting from the two flowers.

From thousands of experimental hybrids in the ARS’s Lubbock test plot, researcher Zhanguo Xin discovered a few outcrosses that make seed from all the flowers.

“With the multiseed trait, we can get the same yield as corn, using about half the water. Less water and more profit is a winwin situation,” he says.

Seven seed companies have the multiseed trait and are in various stages of working the trait into their own elite germplasm.

Development of new sorghum hybrids requires from 10 to 12 generations of seed production.

If all goes well, multiseed hybrids may be commercially available to farmers by 2020. The multiseed trait (which is not genetically modified) would fit MultiSeed Trait How does 60 percent in higher-rainfall geogramore sorghum yield while phies east of I-35 from using less water and fertil- Texas to the Dakotas. izer than corn sound?

It may be reality, Bill Spiegel is a fourth generation north-central Kansas based on research at the farmer and a member of USDA Agricultural the Successful Farming/ Research Service (ARS) Agriculture.com team

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The Scott County Record • Page 28 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

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Per Week

The Scott County Record Professional Directory

There’s no better way to reach your potential customers in Scott County and the surrounding areas.

Agriculture

Preconditioning and Growing

• 45 Years Experience • Managed and owned by full-time DVM • 2,000 Head capacity Office - 872-5150 • Scott City Stuart Doornbos Home - 872-2775 Cell - 874-0951

Pro Ex II

Sager’s Pump Service

Over 20 Years Experience

Professional Extermination Commercial & Residential

• Irrigation • Domestic • Windmills • Submersibles

Cell: 874-4486 • Office 872-2101

• Termites • Rodents • Soil Sterilization • Pre Treats • Lawn Care • Fly Parasites

John Kropp, Owner • Scott City 874-2023 (cell) • 872-3400 (office) • prox2@live.com

Construction/Home Repair

Walker Plumbing, Inc. Backhoe & Trenching services • Irrigation & gas leak repairs • Full-line irrigation parts T-L center pivot dealer Floor heat systems Pump & install septic systems Boring equipment

423 S. Mesquite Rd. • Scott City • 872-2130

ELLIS AG SERVICES • Custom Manure Conditioning • Hauling and Spreading • Custom Swathing and Baling • Rounds-Net or Twine • Gyp and Sand Sales • Custom Harvesting Call Brittan Ellis • 620-874-5160

CHAMBLESS ROOFING Residential

RT Plumbing All Types of Roofing

Commercial

Cedar Shake and Shingle Specialists Return to Craftsmanship Attention to Detail and Quality Guaranteed 620-872-2679 • 1-800-401-2683

Rex Turley, Master Plumber

Residental and Commercial Plumbing Water Systems, water lines, sewer cleaning faucets and fixtures, garbage diposals and more

Marienthal, Ks.

620-909-5014 (H) • 620-874-4128 (C)

SPENCER PEST CONTROL

Automotive

RESIDENTIAL – COMMERCIAL Termite Baiting Systems • Rodents Weed Control • Structural Insects Termite Control Box 258, Scott City • (620) 872-2870

Landscaping • Lawn/Trees

Berning Tree Service David Berning • Marienthal

620-379-4430

Tree Trimming and Removal Hedge and Evergreen Trimming Stump Removal

Fully Insured

Contact:

SCOT AYTES • 874-1646 t Paint i

Red

Specializing in all coatings

or any other color Paint inside and out residential, commercial, and industrial.

Free estimates and 16 plus years of experience.

PC Painting, Inc. Paul Cramer 620-290-2410 620-872-8910 www.pcpaintinginc.com

Medical

Charles Purma II D.D.S. P.A. General Dentistry, Cosmetics, and Insurance Accepted

We welcome new patients.

324 N. Main • Scott City • 872-2389 Residence 872-5933

$

7

The Scott County Record • Page 29 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Call 872-2090 today!

Per Week

Professional Directory Continued

Brent Rogers

Sales Consultant b.rogers@officesolutionsinc.biz

Office (620) 276-3131 Toll Free 1-800-794-9052 Cell (620) 874-0014 Fax (620) 276-8876 1007 N. 8th, Garden City, KS 67846 www.officesolutionsinc.biz

For your home medical supply and equipment needs!

1602 S. Main • Scott City • 872-2232 Toll Free : 1-866-672-2232

Pro Health Chiropractic Wellness Center

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

www.reganjewelers.com

412 N. Main • Garden City • 620-275-5142

Services

(Scott City Chiropractic) “TLC”...

Technology Lead Chiropractic

Dr. James Yager 110 W. 4th St. • Scott City • 872-2310 Toll Free: 800-203-9606

“Don’t Trust Your Auction to Just Anyone”

For all your auction needs call:

(620) 375-4130

Optometrist

Russell Berning Box Q • Leoti All Under One Roof

Revcom Electronics

20/20 Optometry

Treatment of Ocular Disease • Glaucoma Detection Children’s Vision • Glasses • Contact Lenses

Complete family eye center!

106 W. 4th • Scott City • 872-2020 • Emergencies: 214-1462

Scott City Myofascial Release Sandy Cauthon RN

Truck Driving

GUN SHOW. Jan. 2-3.

Saturday, 9:00-5:00; Sunday 9:00-3:00. Kansas Coliseum (I-135 and E. 85th St North) in Wichita.

Buy-Sell-Trade. For info: (563) 927-8176.

CONVOY SYSTEMS is hiring Class A drivers to run from Kansas City to the west coast. Home weekly. Great benefits. www.convoysystems.com.

Call Lori at 1-800-9266869, ext. 303.

––––––––––––––––––––– BUTLER TRANSPORT. Your partner in excellence. Drivers needed.

Great hometime. $650 sign-on bonus. All miles paid. 1-800-528-7825. www.butlertransport.com.

––––––––––––––––––––– DRIVERS: CDL A or B to transfer vehicles from and to various locations throughout U.S. No forced dispatch. Run as much as you want. Safety incentives. Apply online at www.mamotransportation. com under Careers or call 1-800-501-3783.

ENJOY 100% guaranteed, delivered-to-the-door Omaha Steaks. Save 76% plus 4 free burgers. The happy family celebration.

Only $49.99. Order today 1-800-492-0784. Mention offer 47222FNH or www.

OmahaSteaks.com/ santa62 ––––––––––––––––––––– S T O R A G E CONTAINERS. 20 ft., 40 ft., 45 ft., 48 ft. and 53 ft. centralcontainer.net or 785-655-9430.

Sports/Outdoors

Berning Auction

Dr. Jeffrey A. Heyd

Sporting Goods

For Sale

Horizon Health We service and repair all that we sell.

Kansas Classifieds Ad Network

The classified ads below are appearing in 147 Kansas newspapers with a total circulation of 500,000 the classified display ads appear in 142 Kansas newspapers with a total circulation of 457,000. KCAN line ad is $300 for up to 25 words and $12 each additional word. A 2x2 display ad is $800 per insertion and a 2x4 display ad is $1,650 per insertion. To find out more, contact The Scott County Record at 872-2090.

Your RadioShack Dealer Two-way Radio Sales & Service

WESTERN KANSAS hunters and trappers.

Petska Fur is running weekly routes. Currently seeking: cats, coyotes, fox, deer hides and antler.

Coyote market exceptionally strong. 308-750-0700. www.petskafur.net.

––––––––––––––––––––– OUR HUNTERS will pay top $$$ to hunt your land.

Call for a free base camp leasing info packet and quote. 1-866-309-1507. www.BaseCampLeasing. com.

Locally owned and operated since 1990

1104 Main • Scott City • 872-2625

Bolen Enterprises Prairie Dog Control

1101 S. Main, Scott City 620-874-1813

Call me to schedule your Myofascial Release

•34 years experience •Bonded/Licensed

Bob Bolen 785-821-0042 • Fax 785-852-4275

Retail

Gene’s Appliance Over 200 appliances in stock!

COMPARE OUR PRICES!

We have Reverse Osmosis units in stock.

Remember us for parts in stock for all brands of all appliances.

Sales and Service Days • Mon. - Sat. Deliveries • Mon.-Sat.

Largest Frigidaire appliance dealer in Western Ks. 508 Madison • Scott City • 872-3686

Networktronic, Inc.

Computer Sales, Service and Repair Custom computers!

Networking solutions!

Northend Disposal A garbologist company.

Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

402 S. Main, Scott City • 872-1300

Scott City • 872-1223 • 1-800-303-3371

Support your hometown merchants who back your school and community activities throughout the year!

Dining

Classifieds

The Scott County Record • Page 30 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Buy, sell, trade, one call does it all 872-2090 ot fax 872-0009

Newly Remodeled

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: $6.00 per column inch.

Subscribe Today! 620-872-2090

Classified advertising must be paid in advance unless business account is established.

2 or 3 bedroom FA-CA,

If not paid in advance, there will be a $1 billing charge.

Tear sheet for classified ad will be $1 extra.

Help Wanted

Real Estate

USD 466 NEEDS s u b stitute route bus drivers.

For applications and additional information contact Lance Carter at 620-8727655.

02tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– FA R M W O R K E R S .

2/15/16-12/1/16, Mesquite Farms, Inc, Scott City, KS. 5 temp jobs. Drive trucks/ tractors and perform variety of crop raising duties, field ready implements/ equip, cultivate/harrow/ fertilize/plant/spray& harvest crops. Operate/ repair farm implements.

Transport farm commodities.

Mow/clean premises& equip. 3 mo exp, CDL, clean MVR, emplymnt ref, English req’d. $13.59/hr, ¾ work guarantee, tools/equip/ housing provided, trans & subsistence exp reimbursed. Apply at Kansas Works, 620.227.2149.

Job#9834193.

20t2c

COMMERCIAL BUILDING for sale.

133x45 ft. (approx.) round top building. Serious inquiries only. Seller is a real estate agent selling own property. 874-5109 26tfc or 874-2124.

Services WANTED: Yards to mow and clean up, etc. Trim smaller trees and bushes too. Call Dean Riedl, (620) 872-5112 or 8744135.

34tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– METAL ROOFING, SIDING and TRIMS at direct-to-the-public prices. Call Metal King Mfg., 620-872-5464. Our prices will not be beat!

37tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– FURNITURE REPAIR and refinishing. Lawn mower tune-up and blade sharpening. Call Vern Soodsma, 872-2277 or 874-1412.

4015tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– MOWER REPAIR, tuneup and blade sharpening.

Call Rob Vsetecka at 620214-1730.

4515tfc

Rentals HIDE AND SEEK STORAGE SYSTEMS. Various sizes available.

Virgil and LeAnn Kuntz, 620-874-2120.

41tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– PLAINJAN’S RENTAL houses and duplexes. Stop by the office or call 62005tfc 872-5777.

familyroom, steel roof, vinyl siding, new cabinets and window.

ONLY $69,900!

Logan County Manor needing

RN, LPN, CMA and CNA shifts.

We are a 45-bed long-term care facility.

We offer competitive wages, KPERS, health insurance, excellent PTO and paid membership to our Wellness Center.

Contact Diana Dible at: 785-672-8109

EOE

17tfc

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

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

Agriculture

Owner 4% financing,

WANT TO BUY. Stored corn. Call for basis and contract information.

1-800-579-3645.

Lane County Feeders, Inc. 32tfc ––––––––––––––––––––– WANT TO BUY. Wheat straw delivered. Call for contracting information.

Lane County Feeders.

44tfc 397-5341.

––––––––––––––––––––– DAMAGED GRAIN. We are buying damaged grain. Grain vacs available for loading. Call 31615t8p 640-3203.

Taco Grande Bldg.

Roof has been resurfaced, posts sealed and new interior ceiling panels replaced. Call for appointment.

We have new buyers that are looking for

Jeremy • 620-397-1638 Stefanie • 620-397-8075

priced in the $80,000 to $150,000 range.

Call Stephanie and Clyde to access this market.

Property with home and large lot, 3 wells, 2 sewer systems in, Broad-

MAINTENANCE Logan County Manor, has a full-time Maintenance Position, this is a 45 bed long-term care facility.

We offer competitive wages, KPERS, health insurance, excellent PTO and paid membership to our Wellness Center. EOE Contact Mark Baalmann at: 785-672-8147 or 785-953-0680 18tfc

FOOD SERVICE Scott County School Food Service is interested in hiring a part-time position.

Proposed hours for this position would be 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Applications may be picked up at: 704 S. College, Scott City or call Kathy Eaton at 620-872-7605.

view Cabin site near State Park and Lake Scott.

BUY SELL TRADE Classifieds Work!

List your services or job openings weekly, monthly or tfc.

Line listings 20¢ per word ($5 minimum).

Classified Display $6.50 pci Deadline: Monday, 5:00 p.m.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Al-Anon at same time and location.

Contact: 874-0472 or 872-3137. 30t52

for the PURPLE!

3 and 4 bedroom homes,

18tfc

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.

ES N JO UB S CL B Driving M A L

Contact: Scott County Record 620-872-2090 5 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, S/A garage, full basement, newer windows, paint, and flooring! Located in a nice neighborhood with low traffic!

406 Main St., Scott City Office@screcord.com

District 11 AA Meetings

Scott City

Unity and Hope Mon., Wed. and Fri. • 8:00 p.m.

807 Kingsley Last Sat., Birthday Night, 6:30 p.m.

All open meetings, 874-8207 • 874-8118

Dighton

Thursday • 8:30 p.m.

535 Wichita St. All open meetings, 397-2647

The Scott County Record • Page 31 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Employment Opportunities SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA-PROFESSIONAL

County Plat Maps

Do you enjoy working with kids in an educational setting? Would you like the working hours of a school day?

Unified School District No. 466 is seeking HPEC Special Education Para-Professional in the high school. This position works with students.

For more information and applications please contact: Susan Carter Board of Education Building 17tfc 704 College, Scott City, KS 67871

PARK LANE NURSING HOME

By

Western Cartographers Available:

Scott Ness Gove Lane Logan Finney Wichita Wallace Greeley Kearney

Has openings for the following positions: Full-time RN/LPN - Day shift Full-time RN/LPN - Night shift Full-time Dietary aide Full-time/Part-time CNA 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”

20tfc

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Scott County Sheriff’s Department is accepting applications for: Jailer Applicants must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Looking for someone who is a team player. Must be willing to do shift work including days, nights, holidays and weekends. Background checks and UA’s completed on all prospective applicants. Applicants must not have any felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions.

Scott County offers an excellent benefit package that includes BCBS health, KPERS, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and furnished uniforms and equipment. Starting wage $12 per hour. Will train the right applicant.

Applications may be obtained at and returned to: Sheriff Office 602 W. 5th, Scott City • (620) 872-5805

17t2c

Pick them up today at:

SCOTT COUNTY HOSPITAL HAS OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS PATIENT CARE Acute Care RNs Emergency Department RN Float RN C.N.A.s - FT and PT Outreach/Specialty Clinic RN Physical Therapist Respiratory Therapist Clinic Medical Assistant Stocking Clerk - PT 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.

Applications are available on our website at www.scotthospital.net or call 620-872-7772 for more information.

406 Main • Scott City 620 872-2090

18tfc

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.

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 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 online at www.scotthospital.net or call 620-872-7772 for more information.

17t1c

Feedlot Openings

Come and grow with us and be part of an innovative team. We are looking for experienced: Pen riders, Feed truck drivers and Maintencance personnel Team members must be energetic, goal-oriented and have a desire to grow and take on more resonsibility.

Competitive wages are offered with a full benefits package including, 401 (k) with company match, profit sharing plan, 100% paid medical and dental insurance for employee, 100% paid short/long term disability insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and career advancement opportunities.

To apply for this outstanding opportunity, apply in person or send your letter of interest to: Royal Beef, ATTN: Scott Lane 11060 N. Falcon Rd., Scott City, Ks 67871 Irsik & Doll is an Equal Opportunity Employer 19t2c

19tfc

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Weekly newspaper seeks full-time graphic designer.

Applicant must be computer literate, detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to work with the public.

On-site training is available.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekly hours range from 40-43 hours with paid overtime.

For an application call 620-872-2090 to have an one mailed or stop by 406 Main St., Scott City, Ks and pick one up.

The Scott County Record • Page 32 • Thursday, December 31, 2015

Harvesters north of Scott City were working into the night in order to beat the threat of rain.

Harvest impacted yields in some fields.

“Those who got ahead of the problem and felt they would have a crop worth the cost of fungicide treatment have been rewarded,” Friesen says.

“The yields in those fields has been noticeably better.”

Friesen feels the overall harvest will be slightly above last year, which was a below-average crop. But he thinks overall production will be close to the 10-year average.

Timely rains also led to one of the largest corn and milo harvests in a number of years. The results are still evident today with piles of milo still stored on the ground in Scott County and throughout the area due to lack of elevator space.

School Funding It was impossible for any school district in Kansas to escape the effects of the Kansas Legislature which has refused to comply with court orders to provide more money for public education and then decided to dismantle the funding process entirely.

Instead of a funding plan that recognized the individual needs of districts - including English as a Second Language programs and transportation costs - the state adopted a block grant plan that provided districts with the same level of state funding they received in the 2014-15 school year and locked in that amount for two years.

The Scott County school district lost about $12,000 in general state aid and another $76,300 in LOB aid for the 201516 school year.

(Record Photo)

(continued from page 25)

State figures show that Scott County, like many other districts will receive more money with block grants. USD 466, according to the state, would get a boost of $126,764.

Administrators criticized the state’s calculations, referring to them as accounting gimmicks.

The block grant figures include funding for KPERS that is “passthrough” money, collected by the district and transferred to the state as part of the employee retirement plan.

“That’s money which is going into the retirement program, not into the classroom,” notes Supt. Jamie Rumford of the Scott County district.

Scott County was able to close that funding gap when it qualified for “extraordinary needs” funding.

Based on both declining property valuations and higher enrollment, Rumford made the request for $334,670 in funding and received $144,146.

Broken down, the district received $165,506 to compensate for lower property valuations, largely due to declining oil/gas values. It received another $169,164 because of higher enrollment.

When the State Finance Council met in August it established that a district had to experience at least a five percent loss in valuation to qualify for “extraordinary” funding. USD 466 saw an eight percent decline, so the council provided the district added funding to compensate for the three percent loss in excess of the five percent base.

“Unfortunately, we won’t benefit from this added money this year

Monthly

since our tax rate has already been set,” noted Rumford. “We will carry this money in our budget and use it to lower our mill levy next year.”

Rumford said that will amount to about twothirds of one mill.

In order to qualify for extra enrollment funding a district had to see their full-time head count increase by two percent.

Scott County schools saw a jump of 32.5 students - or a 2.59 percent hike.

That means an additional $82,439.

Groundwater Model While ag producers and major water users within Groundwater Management District No. 1 were debating how much or whether to cut irrigation usage, they kept hearing from state officials about a water model that was in the works.

This model would be able to provide projections of water table changes based on current consumption and rainfall.

It would also provide projections on the annual rate and extent of the declining water table based on variables, such as drought, soil conditions and reductions in pumping activity.

That model is now a reality.

“This model will be valuable in identifying water table trends and how those trends will be impacted by different scenarios,” said Brownie Wilson of the Kansas Geological Survey during a presentation at the GWMD No. 1 board office in Scott City.

The scenarios of particular interest to the GWMD board have to do with the impact on the Ogallala Aquifer if producers were

Brownie Wilson of the Kansas Geological Survey explains changes in water levels within the Ogallala Aquifer as seen over the last five decades which are being used in a newly developed water model to project future trends in groundwater depletion.

(Record Photo)

to reduce consumption.

For example, the district had considered creating a Local Enhanced Management Area and reducing irrigated water usage by 20 percent, but that proposal was rejected early last year by water rights holders.

With the water model, the GWMD board and staff can show the impact throughout the district if irrigation usage were to be reduced by whatever number they choose.

With the data now available and the ability to see water level changes through the model, it’s possible the GWMD board may look at proposing water reduction guidelines that would vary across the district.

“We probably wouldn’t take a one size fits all approach,” says District Manager Kyle Spencer.

“We could establish guidelines that would be specific to each county, or we could break it down so that one set of guidelines apply to eastern Greeley

County and Western Wichita County.”

The model would allow the GWMD to plug in data for those specific areas, with targeted goals for reductions in irrigation usage, and determine the overall impact on the region’s Ogallala, both in the short-term and longterm.

Gaisheng Liu, a geologist with the Kansas Geological Survey, said the model is “very good” at forecasting the impact of water usage when looking out for several years.

While the KGS feels the model can provide an accurate picture of what to expect in the long-term as well, it is also subject to unknown events, such as prolonged drought.

Two Scenarios The KGS has initially done studies on water levels in GWMD No. 1 based on two scenarios no change in water usage and a 20 percent reduction.

Under both, it deter-

mined that by 2030 the Ogallala in this region will be reduced by one-third.

By 2080, the amount of available water will be reduced by another onethird.

“With a 20 percent reduction you’re gaining time and you’re extending the life of the Ogallala,” said Wilson.

A 20 percent reduction in pumping will save an estimated 1.03 million acre-feet of water through 2080.

Through the first 10 years, the water savings will amount to about 32,000 acre-feet per year.

As the aquifer continues to decline, the annual savings over the final 57 years will amount to about 8,550 acre-feet.

Scott City Councilman and farmer Bo Parkinson asked how much of a reduction in usage would be required in order to maintain the Ogallala at its existing level.

“To hold the status quo, I’d say 30 to 40 percent,” Wilson replied.

restaurant on Sept. 27.

December: •In celebration of its 15th year, the Scott Community Foundation reached an $8 million milestone in grants and awards that have passed through the organization to community organizations and students.

•Randy Huck of SCHS was named the Area 6 “Assistant Principal of the Year.”

•SCHS junior Kylee Trout set a new sales

record among Southwest Kansas students in the Youth Entrepreneurs marketing day.

•In response to trends that indicate growing enrollment for the next several years, the USD 466 board of education has contracted with an engineering firm to determine the district’s infrastructure capabilities and the best way to accommodate more students at each attendance center.

(continued from page 25)

from $100 million in 2014 Development Center and said it would need addito just over $91 million in emergency management. tional revenue to remain 2015.

•Unofficial enrollment in operation beyond early showed an increase of 27 2016. The Chamber direcAugust: students in USD 466. tor resigned and Lindsey •After sitting vacant Singley was hired as a for more than three years, September: replacement. In addition, county commissioners •The Scott County the City of Scott City settled on a plan to reno- Hospital reported a agreed to provide $7,500 vate the former medical record-setting $25.6 milclinic. Agencies plan- lion in revenue for the from the transient guest ning to occupy the build- fiscal year that ended June tax to close the revenue gap. ing include Compass 30.

•Arson was ruled as •Due to declining memBehavioral Health, Scott County Health bership, the Scott City the cause of a fire which Department, Russell Child Chamber of Commerce destroyed the Wendy’s

October: •Jason Baker assumed duties as the new CEO at the Scott Co-op.

November: •Due to increased membership fees, Scott County dropped out of the Northwest Regional Recycling Organization and decided to pursue recycling efforts on its own.