Geary County Health Department officials have identified multiple COVID-19 cases linked to the Faith Tabernacle Church at 1010 Burke Drive in Junction City.

Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, said anyone who attended the Church between Saturday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 8, is at risk for potential exposure and should self-monitor for symptoms of 14 days from the date of attendance. 

Individuals are advised to contact their primary care provider if they develop any of the following symptoms including a fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit, chill, rigors, myalgia which is muscle pain or aches, malaise, headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness cough such as a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose, or nausea and vomiting.

Individuals are encouraged to contact their provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms related to COVID-19.

Human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, touching a surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 

There are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading them: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands,&nbsp; avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.


Geary County Health Department officials have identified multiple COVID-19 cases linked to the Faith Tabernacle Church at 1010 Burke Drive in Junction City.Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, said anyone who attended the Church between Saturday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 8, is at risk for potential exposure and should self-monitor for symptoms of 14 days from the date of attendance. Individuals are advised to contact their primary care provider if they develop any of the following symptoms including a fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit, chill, rigors, myalgia which is muscle pain or aches, malaise, headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness cough such as a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose, or nausea and vomiting.Individuals are encouraged to contact their provider if they begin to exhibit any symptoms related to COVID-19.Human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, touching a surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading them: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.·Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands,&nbsp; avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Recent COVID-19 cases are linked to Faith Tabernacle Church

Fort Riley will host the second annual Bow Slinger 3D archery tournament Aug. 22 and 23. The tournament has been expanded to two days to keep groups of participants smaller, in line with current COVID-19 guidelines. Youth, ages 8 to 17, will compete Saturday, adults on Sunday.

The course features 30 3-D targets, including “Bigfoot of the Flint Hills” and archers will get to shoot from an M-1 tank and a Chinook helicopter.

Youth will compete on Aug. 22 in three age groups, 8 to 11, 12 to 14, and 15 to 17 years old. Youth registration is $35 and the field will be limited to 45 shooters, with one guardian allowed per youth.

Adults will compete on Aug. 23 with multiple categories, including open and bow hunter classes for both men and women, a senior class for those 50 years old and over, a traditional class and an active duty class. Registration is $45 for the active duty, traditional and senior classes, $55 for the open and bow hunter classes. The adult field is limited to 90 total shooters, with no spectators. Cash prizes are available.

All participants will be required to wear masks, which can be removed when shooting. Participants must live within 150 miles of Fort Riley. Anyone from outside the 150-mile limit will not be able to get on post.

Those without Department of Defense ID cards will be registered as part of the event for access to post. Pre-registration is required and the deadline to register is Aug. 20. Participants can register online at riley.armymwr.com. For more information about the archery tournament, call 785-239-5412.

Check-in each day will begin at 7 a.m. and the shooting will start at 9 a.m. Food will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fort Riley will host the second annual Bow Slinger 3D archery tournament Aug. 22 and 23. The tournament has been expanded to two days to keep groups of participants smaller, in line with current COVID-19 guidelines. Youth, ages 8 to 17, will compete Saturday, adults on Sunday.The course features 30 3-D targets, including “Bigfoot of the Flint Hills” and archers will get to shoot from an M-1 tank and a Chinook helicopter.Youth will compete on Aug. 22 in three age groups, 8 to 11, 12 to 14, and 15 to 17 years old. Youth registration is $35 and the field will be limited to 45 shooters, with one guardian allowed per youth.Adults will compete on Aug. 23 with multiple categories, including open and bow hunter classes for both men and women, a senior class for those 50 years old and over, a traditional class and an active duty class. Registration is $45 for the active duty, traditional and senior classes, $55 for the open and bow hunter classes. The adult field is limited to 90 total shooters, with no spectators. Cash prizes are available.All participants will be required to wear masks, which can be removed when shooting. Participants must live within 150 miles of Fort Riley. Anyone from outside the 150-mile limit will not be able to get on post.Those without Department of Defense ID cards will be registered as part of the event for access to post. Pre-registration is required and the deadline to register is Aug. 20. Participants can register online at riley.armymwr.com. For more information about the archery tournament, call 785-239-5412.Check-in each day will begin at 7 a.m. and the shooting will start at 9 a.m. Food will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Fort Riley Public Affairs Office

Fort Riley hosting second annual Bow Slinger 3D archery tournament

High 89°	Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then sunny in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

High 89°	Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then sunny in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday weather forecast

Current information available Monday (08/10/20) from the Geary County Health Department confirmed that there have been 148 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are currently 23 active cases, 123 people have recovered, and there have been two fatalities. One person is currently hospitalized.&nbsp; A total of 8 people have been hospitalized and there are 22 persons under investigation awaiting test results.&nbsp;

Current information available Monday (08/10/20) from the Geary County Health Department confirmed that there have been 148 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are currently 23 active cases, 123 people have recovered, and there have been two fatalities. One person is currently hospitalized.&nbsp; A total of 8 people have been hospitalized and there are 22 persons under investigation awaiting test results.&nbsp;

COVID-19 numbers are provided by County Officials

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Supreme Court justice K. J. Wall

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: K. J. Wall" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/ptu86-e66b74?from=pb6admin&amp;download=1&amp;version=1&amp;vjs=1&amp;auto=1&amp;share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=0&amp;fonts=Helvetica&amp;skin=3&amp;pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Supreme Court justice K. J. Wall

🎤Forward Ever: Kan. Supreme Court Justice K. J. Wall

Geary County Emergency Management posted information from the National Weather Service. Strong to severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening as a frontal boundary moves through the area. Additional chances for showers and storms will continue into Thursday, but there will also be periods of dry weather as well.&nbsp;

Geary County Emergency Management posted information from the National Weather Service. Strong to severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening as a frontal boundary moves through the area. Additional chances for showers and storms will continue into Thursday, but there will also be periods of dry weather as well.&nbsp;<figure>
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Storms are in the forecast

MANHATTAN — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development</a>&nbsp;will present Sen. Pat Roberts, Kansas, with a lifetime achievement award for service to rural America as part of the institute's celebration of its 30 years at Kansas State University. The institute will host a virtual event at 4 p.m., Aug. 19, to celebrate its April 1990 founding. The award will be presented virtually to Roberts at the event. "Sen. Roberts has been an outstanding advocate for rural citizens throughout his many years in Congress," said Shawna Moyer, chair of the board of directors of the Huck Boyd Institute. "He was a close friend to Huck Boyd, the rural leader for whom the institute is named. Sen. Roberts is retiring this year after 39 years in Congress. We are pleased to honor him in this way." Roberts is expected to make remarks via Zoom from Washington, D.C. The event can be viewed via livestream on&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/U8ikl0dOJgY" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, and a recording of the program can be viewed later via the same link,&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/U8ikl0dOJgY" target="_blank">youtu.be/U8ikl0dOJgY</a>.&nbsp;

K-State News and Communications Services

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597076890114.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development</a>&nbsp;will present Sen. Pat Roberts, Kansas, with a lifetime achievement award for service to rural America as part of the institute's celebration of its 30 years at Kansas State University. The institute will host a virtual event at 4 p.m., Aug. 19, to celebrate its April 1990 founding. The award will be presented virtually to Roberts at the event. "Sen. Roberts has been an outstanding advocate for rural citizens throughout his many years in Congress," said Shawna Moyer, chair of the board of directors of the Huck Boyd Institute. "He was a close friend to Huck Boyd, the rural leader for whom the institute is named. Sen. Roberts is retiring this year after 39 years in Congress. We are pleased to honor him in this way." Roberts is expected to make remarks via Zoom from Washington, D.C. The event can be viewed via livestream on&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/U8ikl0dOJgY" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, and a recording of the program can be viewed later via the same link,&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/U8ikl0dOJgY" target="_blank">youtu.be/U8ikl0dOJgY</a>.&nbsp; K-State News and Communications Services

Huck Boyd Institue to celebrate 30 years, honor Sen. Roberts

OK, not all the primary election votes are counted yet, and there may be a surprise or two by the time everything is final, but the name that wasn’t on your ballot has clearly lost.

Gov. Laura Kelly, the Democrat who is mid-term and has two years of living in public housing at Cedar Crest, a nice home to be driven to by security agents every night after wrestling or at least negotiating with members of the Kansas Senate, which took a hard right turn based on yet uncertain primary votes.

What’s the deal? Well, it appears that at the primary election the State Senate is going from a 29-vote majority by party label to an actual 27-plus votes to override Kelly vetoes of bills.

That’s going from a theoretical “veto-proof” majority to an actual, read the votes, veto proof majority.

A handful of moderate Republicans lost their primary elections, and if their defeaters manage to make it through the general election, Kelly likely won’t see her vetoes sustained.

Kelly wasn’t overridden during the 2020 session—when she vetoed two tax-cut bills. She was overridden just once during the 2019 session, her first year in office after moving from the Senate to the governorship—a line-item veto that included $50 million to repay the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System money that was borrowed from it during the cash-crunched former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback administration.

At least three, maybe four or more relatively moderate Republicans have been defeated by more conservative candidates for the upcoming general election, which unless Democrats can pick up a significant number of seats above their current 11, the Senate will be veto-proof.

The House? It appears to be growing a little more conservative, but it is the Senate where the real partisan scrapping has been occurring in the past two years, which has been the “ground zero”&nbsp; for battles with the governor over such issues as expansion of Medicaid to more than 100,000 Kansans and paring the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that abortion is a constitutionally protected right.

And the budget? That’s where the real fights are likely, and where the final veto-proof majority comes into play on less sensational issues for most Kansans.

Have you seen the campaign brochure touting hiring more public health nurses by the state? Didn’t think so. Or…do most voters base their decisions on small spending issues like staffing for the Department of Administration? Didn’t think so, either.

It appears no candidates are campaigning on the budget except the generic “conservative spending” or “downsize government.”&nbsp; Nobody talks “downsizing” to explain why you spend more time waiting for a driver’s license renewal, or trying to get through on the phone to the Labor department to check on unemployment insurance checks…

Of course, we’re not going to know until about 2 p.m. Jan. 11, when the 2021 legislative session officially opens—and when the first bills are introduced—just where the session is going to go with the confidence on the 3rd&nbsp;floor of the Statehouse that nearly anything it can pass can’t be vetoed by the 2nd&nbsp;floor.

And, how do Democrats campaign on the issue that the state’s elected governor will lose most of her authority to direct the state if voters in generally Republican Senate districts vote for whomever has the “R” behind their name on the ballot?

Yes, we’re wondering just what that brochure or 30-second TV ad is going to look like when it focuses on preserving the leadership authority of a governor who has a “D” behind her name?

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>

By Martin HawverOK, not all the primary election votes are counted yet, and there may be a surprise or two by the time everything is final, but the name that wasn’t on your ballot has clearly lost.That name?Gov. Laura Kelly, the Democrat who is mid-term and has two years of living in public housing at Cedar Crest, a nice home to be driven to by security agents every night after wrestling or at least negotiating with members of the Kansas Senate, which took a hard right turn based on yet uncertain primary votes.What’s the deal? Well, it appears that at the primary election the State Senate is going from a 29-vote majority by party label to an actual 27-plus votes to override Kelly vetoes of bills.That’s going from a theoretical “veto-proof” majority to an actual, read the votes, veto proof majority.A handful of moderate Republicans lost their primary elections, and if their defeaters manage to make it through the general election, Kelly likely won’t see her vetoes sustained.Kelly wasn’t overridden during the 2020 session—when she vetoed two tax-cut bills. She was overridden just once during the 2019 session, her first year in office after moving from the Senate to the governorship—a line-item veto that included $50 million to repay the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System money that was borrowed from it during the cash-crunched former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback administration.At least three, maybe four or more relatively moderate Republicans have been defeated by more conservative candidates for the upcoming general election, which unless Democrats can pick up a significant number of seats above their current 11, the Senate will be veto-proof.The House? It appears to be growing a little more conservative, but it is the Senate where the real partisan scrapping has been occurring in the past two years, which has been the “ground zero”&nbsp; for battles with the governor over such issues as expansion of Medicaid to more than 100,000 Kansans and paring the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision that abortion is a constitutionally protected right.And the budget? That’s where the real fights are likely, and where the final veto-proof majority comes into play on less sensational issues for most Kansans.Have you seen the campaign brochure touting hiring more public health nurses by the state? Didn’t think so. Or…do most voters base their decisions on small spending issues like staffing for the Department of Administration? Didn’t think so, either.It appears no candidates are campaigning on the budget except the generic “conservative spending” or “downsize government.”&nbsp; Nobody talks “downsizing” to explain why you spend more time waiting for a driver’s license renewal, or trying to get through on the phone to the Labor department to check on unemployment insurance checks…Of course, we’re not going to know until about 2 p.m. Jan. 11, when the 2021 legislative session officially opens—and when the first bills are introduced—just where the session is going to go with the confidence on the 3rd&nbsp;floor of the Statehouse that nearly anything it can pass can’t be vetoed by the 2nd&nbsp;floor.And, how do Democrats campaign on the issue that the state’s elected governor will lose most of her authority to direct the state if voters in generally Republican Senate districts vote for whomever has the “R” behind their name on the ballot?Yes, we’re wondering just what that brochure or 30-second TV ad is going to look like when it focuses on preserving the leadership authority of a governor who has a “D” behind her name?Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>

At The Rail

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569336839553.jpeg">Click&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jcpost.com/category/obituaries/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(39, 163, 209);">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.JC Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

Recent obituaries

Eight new additional positive COVID-19 cases were identified on Sunday in Geary County, according to Geary County Emergency Management. They involved men ages 33, 25, 32 and 41 and women ages 42, 17, 35 and 61.

5 New cases were added to Geary County totals on Saturday. They include women ages 19 and 60 plus a man, age 64, all of whom live at the same location. Two of the cases involve men ages 36 and 29.

On Monday the stats for Geary County will be updated.

Eight new additional positive COVID-19 cases were identified on Sunday in Geary County, according to Geary County Emergency Management. They involved men ages 33, 25, 32 and 41 and women ages 42, 17, 35 and 61.5 New cases were added to Geary County totals on Saturday. They include women ages 19 and 60 plus a man, age 64, all of whom live at the same location. Two of the cases involve men ages 36 and 29.On Monday the stats for Geary County will be updated.

More positive COVID-19 cases have been identified 

Bruce Snead, President of the Discovery Center Foundation Board, has announced that William Smriga of Manhattan is the new Director of the Foundation.

Smriga was the director of the K-State for many years&nbsp; and is a volunteer at the Discovery Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

'I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with everyone, " said Smriga. "There are challenges facing the Discovery Center, but I have confidence that I can help meet these challenges through this position."

"Bill's experience in hosting major events at the Union will help us as we plan our next Friend of the Flint Hills virtual celebration on Oct. 24, when we recognize the Flint Hills Map and Education project led by Emily Connell and Anne Wilson, " said Snead. Smriga replaces V. Marie Martin who retired in March after six years of service to the Foundation.

Bruce Snead, President of the Discovery Center Foundation Board, has announced that William Smriga of Manhattan is the new Director of the Foundation.Smriga was the director of the K-State for many years&nbsp; and is a volunteer at the Discovery Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;'I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with everyone, " said Smriga. "There are challenges facing the Discovery Center, but I have confidence that I can help meet these challenges through this position.""Bill's experience in hosting major events at the Union will help us as we plan our next Friend of the Flint Hills virtual celebration on Oct. 24, when we recognize the Flint Hills Map and Education project led by Emily Connell and Anne Wilson, " said Snead. Smriga replaces V. Marie Martin who retired in March after six years of service to the Foundation.

New director named for the Discovery Center Foundation

UNDATED (AP) — The Mountain West has become the second FBS conference to postpone its football season, punting on the fall with an eye toward playing in the spring. The 12-team Mountain West joins the Mid-American Conference as leagues from the highest tier of NCAA Division I football to bail on the fall season and hope to make a go of it in the spring.

 The Mountain West features Boise State, Air Force and San Diego State, each of which were ranked at some point last year.

UNDATED (AP) — The Mountain West has become the second FBS conference to postpone its football season, punting on the fall with an eye toward playing in the spring. The 12-team Mountain West joins the Mid-American Conference as leagues from the highest tier of NCAA Division I football to bail on the fall season and hope to make a go of it in the spring. The Mountain West features Boise State, Air Force and San Diego State, each of which were ranked at some point last year.

Mountain West postpones their fall football season

Junction City High School Athletic Director Matt Westerhause has provided information needed to complete registration online, find out information related to the each sport offered in the fall and contact information link for head coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As we prepare for fall sports which are scheduled to begin the 17th of August,&nbsp;we ask you to please look through the information&nbsp;below&nbsp;regarding registration, specific sports program information and contact information for coaches and athletic department personnel at Junction City High School.

For further information regarding middle school athletic programs, please follow these links:

Junction City Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/" target="_blank">http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/&nbsp;</a>

Fort Riley Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrms.usd475.org%2Fathletics%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7Ce1430b3838f34290067b08d839701178%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322500777048764&amp;sdata=pHjYP1kacQ0PD2Te87ypSgPiuKmaKFU5qY%2BVLQsf3lo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://frms.usd475.org/athletics/</a>

<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05132114/IMG_0295.mov" target="_blank">Welcome back greeting - Athletic Directors</a>

Information related to Junction City High School

Prior to any activity that a student participates in we ask the family/student to ask these questions for screening prior to attending school, practice or competition.

If the answer is&nbsp;YES&nbsp;to any of these questions, then please&nbsp;do not&nbsp;attend the activity and put others at risk.

Athletic Department - PROCESS AND PROCEDURES (these procedures may be added to/changed as we progress through the 2020-21 school year and subject to change at any time.)

Junction City High School Athletic Director Matt Westerhause has provided information needed to complete registration online, find out information related to the each sport offered in the fall and contact information link for head coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;Families of USD 475,As we prepare for fall sports which are scheduled to begin the 17th of August,&nbsp;we ask you to please look through the information&nbsp;below&nbsp;regarding registration, specific sports program information and contact information for coaches and athletic department personnel at Junction City High School.For further information regarding middle school athletic programs, please follow these links:Junction City Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/" target="_blank">http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/&nbsp;</a>Fort Riley Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrms.usd475.org%2Fathletics%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7Ce1430b3838f34290067b08d839701178%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322500777048764&amp;sdata=pHjYP1kacQ0PD2Te87ypSgPiuKmaKFU5qY%2BVLQsf3lo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://frms.usd475.org/athletics/</a><a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05132114/IMG_0295.mov" target="_blank">Welcome back greeting - Athletic Directors</a>Information related to Junction City High School<ul>
 <li>If you have a student who is interested in participating in a fall sports program at Junction City High School, we ask you to please register your student for participation through our online registration process.&nbsp; A direct link to that process is:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fregistermyathlete.com%2Flogin%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7C9e68e7c6760e476918bc08d8394e11a1%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322355831477825&amp;sdata=xjx3zKas5Ae3aX4HRCyJyixRV%2FcUBdh%2BEPq%2FUIMkYU8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://registermyathlete.com/login/</a>&nbsp; Directions for completing the online registration process are:&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05145430/Parent_Guardian-Instructions-Student-Athlete-Online-Registration-7-28-20.pdf" target="_blank">Parent_Guardian Instructions - Student-Athlete Online Registration 7-28-20</a>&nbsp;;&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05145434/Spanish-Translation-Parent_Guardian-Instructions-Student-Athlete-Online-Registration_-USD-475.pdf" target="_blank">Spanish Translation - Parent_Guardian-Instructions-Student-Athlete-Online-Registration_-USD-475</a></li><li>Fall sports offered at Junction City High School are: &nbsp;Cheer, Dance, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Volleyball, B/G Cross Country, Girls Golf, Football.&nbsp; &nbsp;Links to find information regarding those specific sports programs are included:&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/2020-cross-country-information-for-jchs-jcms-frms/" target="_blank">B/G Cross Country information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/2020-boys-soccer-tryout-information/" target="_blank">Boys Soccer tryout information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/04/2020-junction-city-football-information-packet-and-beginning-schedule/" target="_blank">Football Information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/2020-jchs-girls-golf-information/" target="_blank">Girls Golf Information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/lady-jays-volleyball-tryout-info/" target="_blank">Volleyball information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/lady-jay-tennis-team-2020-tryout-and-season-information-2/" target="_blank">Girls Tennis information</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/04/cheer-tryout-information-for-new-students/" target="_blank">Cheer tryout info for new students</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/dance-team-tryout-information-for-new-students/" target="_blank">Dance tryout info for new students</a>.</li><li>As part of the online registration process, you will need to upload a new sports physical&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/05/04161252/FORM-PPE_Spring-2020-Update.pdf" target="_blank">FORM-PPE_Spring 2020 Update</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/05/05141634/FORM-PPE_Spring-2020-Update_Spanish.pdf" target="_blank">FORM-PPE_Spring 2020 Update_Spanish</a>&nbsp;and the KSHSAA covid questionnaire -<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05164901/KSHSAA-Covid-19-Pre-Part-Questionnaire-fillable-both-pages1.pdf" target="_blank">KSHSAA-Covid-19-Pre-Part-Questionnaire-fillable-both-pages1</a>&nbsp; Physicals must be dated after May 1, 2020.&nbsp; Please schedule physicals as soon as you possibly can.</li><li>Students/Families who have made the decision to choose remote learning as a platform for education during this school year will be eligible to participate in KSHSAA athletic programs.&nbsp; Transportation to and from school will be the responsibility of the student/family.&nbsp; Additional guidance regarding expectations for eligibility and co-curricular programs will be provided in the near future.</li><li>Contact information link for our head coaches is located at:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbluejayathletics.org%2Fathletic-dept-info%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7C9e68e7c6760e476918bc08d8394e11a1%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322355831477825&amp;sdata=1DiR%2BxtwFOysrvTwElQoVEOGD0srmRU0JJarZa0j9bY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://bluejayathletics.org/athletic-dept-info/</a></li><li>As always….if you have questions or concerns please contact us at 785-717-4214 via phone or email -&nbsp;<a href="mailto:debralumb@usd475.org" target="_blank">debralumb@usd475.org</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;- Mrs. Deb Lumb is our administrative assistant in the athletic department.</li><li>Reminders regarding process put in place during COVID-19 (see below)</li>
 </ul>Prior to any activity that a student participates in we ask the family/student to ask these questions for screening prior to attending school, practice or competition.<ol>
 <li>Today or in the past 24 hours have you had any of the following symptoms:</li><li>Fever (temperature greater than 100.4)</li><li>New or worsening cough</li><li>Shortness of breath or trouble breathing</li><li>Sore throat, different than your seasonal allergies</li><li>New loss of smell and/or taste</li><li>Diarrhea or vomiting</li><li>Do you have a household or close contact who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks?</li><li>Temperature check with a thermometer is recommended but not required (greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever).</li><li>Forehead thermometer/touchless thermometer is preferable.</li>
 </ol>If the answer is&nbsp;YES&nbsp;to any of these questions, then please&nbsp;do not&nbsp;attend the activity and put others at risk.Athletic Department - PROCESS AND PROCEDURES (these procedures may be added to/changed as we progress through the 2020-21 school year and subject to change at any time.)<ul>
 <li>Local, State, District and KSHSAA&nbsp; guidelines will be followed regarding practice and competition and will be communicated prior to August 17th.</li><li>Sport specific procedures will be shared by head coaches of each program with families/students.</li><li>Attendance will be taken daily.</li><li>Students will enter and exit areas at designated locations for school, practices, competitions.</li><li>Students will be asked to leave if feeling sick or ill.</li><li>Sanitizing procedures will be in place.</li><li>Staff will clean and inspect equipment regularly.</li><li>Students will be asked to provide their own water bottles and properly label.</li><li>Students will be asked to&nbsp;wash/sanitize hands frequently throughout the day/practice/competition.</li><li>Students&nbsp;will be asked&nbsp; to follow all procedures that are established for safety of self and others.</li>
 </ul>

USD 475 releases Fall Sports information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive for COVID-19, prized prospect Brady Singer earned his first major league win and the Kansas City Royals swept the Minnesota Twins 4-2.

 The Royals won their fourth in a row overall. The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight. Dozier, who hit 26 home runs last year and tied for the big league lead with 10 triples, hadn’t played this season while recovering from the virus. He quickly delivered, putting the Royals ahead 2-0 in the first inning.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive for COVID-19, prized prospect Brady Singer earned his first major league win and the Kansas City Royals swept the Minnesota Twins 4-2. The Royals won their fourth in a row overall. The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight. Dozier, who hit 26 home runs last year and tied for the big league lead with 10 triples, hadn’t played this season while recovering from the virus. He quickly delivered, putting the Royals ahead 2-0 in the first inning.

Royals complete sweep of Minnesota

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Gene Wilson, who became the first black men’s basketball player in the Big Seven Conference when he played at Kansas State in 1950, recently passed away at the age of 89 in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana.

During his two stints as a two-sport athlete for the Wildcats from 1950-52 and 1954-56, Wilson not only became the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference (forerunner of the Big 12), but was also one of five to break the color barrier in track and field. His time at K-State was broken up due to being drafted into the Army in 1952, where he served 13 months in the Korean War before returning to campus in 1954.

“The coaches had to approve first, then the athletic directors and finally the university president,” Wilson said to&nbsp;Larry Weigel&nbsp;in 2013 about becoming the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference. “(K-State) President&nbsp;Milton Eisenhower&nbsp;took the lead and I’m grateful to him to make it happen. The approval finally came in August but if it wasn’t for Milton Eisenhower, the Big Seven would not have integrated for another few years. Eisenhower was determined it was going to happen and he suffered a little because of it.”

Wilson was one of the rare athletes to be mentored by two Naismith Hall of Fame head coaches in&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter, helping the Wildcats win 47 games in his two stints, including a Big Seven Championship and an NCAA West Regional Semifinal appearance as a senior in 1955-56. He also ran track for legendary Wildcat track coach&nbsp;Ward Haylett, who was later inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Wilson also broke barriers in his professional life, becoming the first black Director of the State of Kansas Youth Center in Topeka and just the second director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He was also the first black umpire for the American Legion in Topeka, where he participated in 12 regional games, four World Series Tournaments and two international series tournaments.

Wilson was inducted into the inaugural class of the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 due his outstanding umpiring services to the youth of Topeka for over 50 years.

Born on February 21, 1931 in Anderson, Wilson was a standout basketball player and track and field athlete at Anderson High School in his hometown. He helped the school to the final four of the state basketball tournament in 1948 and led them to a No. 1 ranking as a senior before winning the state long jump championship in 1950.

Wilson was coached in high school by&nbsp;Dobbie Lambert, who provided the pipeline to K-State for him and three of his high school teammates –&nbsp;Bob Rousy,&nbsp;Dick Peck&nbsp;and&nbsp;Danny Schuyler&nbsp;– after playing for&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;at Modesto Junior College in California. The quartet arrived on campus in the fall of 1950, where they became a part of a freshman team that held their own against a varsity squad that would go on to the NCAA Championship Game in 1951.

Wilson joined the varsity in 1951-52, playing 24 games as a sophomore and ranking sixth on the team in scoring at 5.8 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting for a Wildcat team that posted a 19-5 overall record and finished second in the Big Seven behind eventual NCAA champion Kansas. The team handed the Jayhawks their lone loss of the conference season with an 81-64 win at Ahearn Field House on January 26, 1952

After returning from the Korean War, Wilson played in 20 games for Winter and K-State in 1954-55 and 1955-56. An injury sidelined for much of his senior season in 1955-56, in which, the Wildcats posted a 17-8 overall record and won the Big Seven Championship before a trip to the NCAA West Regional Semifinals.&nbsp;

Upon leaving K-State, Wilson moved to Topeka in 1959 where he began working for the State of Kansas Youth Center. He started as a service worker for the Center, supervising youth and teaching them life skills, before becoming Unit Director, Youth Care Director, Assistant Superintendent and finally Superintendent. He later worked for the Kansas Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) until retirement.

Wilson is survived by his wife,&nbsp;Mae Wilson, and daughter&nbsp;Jeannette West&nbsp;of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, sons&nbsp;Jon Wilson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jeffry Wilson, both of Topeka, Kansas and several stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death his parents (Randolph&nbsp;and&nbsp;Hazel Wilson) and siblings, including brother,&nbsp;Johnny, who played four seasons for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Online condolences can be left for the family on the Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bowserjohnsonfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Gene-Paul-Wilson?obId=14896873." target="_blank">here</a>.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Wilson, please visit the Tribute Store&nbsp;<a href="https://tree.tributecenterstore.com/memorial-tree?oId=14896873&amp;source=tco_description" target="_blank">here</a>.

–www.k-statesports.com –

TOM GILBERT Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597018653964.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Gene Wilson, who became the first black men’s basketball player in the Big Seven Conference when he played at Kansas State in 1950, recently passed away at the age of 89 in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana.During his two stints as a two-sport athlete for the Wildcats from 1950-52 and 1954-56, Wilson not only became the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference (forerunner of the Big 12), but was also one of five to break the color barrier in track and field. His time at K-State was broken up due to being drafted into the Army in 1952, where he served 13 months in the Korean War before returning to campus in 1954.“The coaches had to approve first, then the athletic directors and finally the university president,” Wilson said to&nbsp;Larry Weigel&nbsp;in 2013 about becoming the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference. “(K-State) President&nbsp;Milton Eisenhower&nbsp;took the lead and I’m grateful to him to make it happen. The approval finally came in August but if it wasn’t for Milton Eisenhower, the Big Seven would not have integrated for another few years. Eisenhower was determined it was going to happen and he suffered a little because of it.”Wilson was one of the rare athletes to be mentored by two Naismith Hall of Fame head coaches in&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter, helping the Wildcats win 47 games in his two stints, including a Big Seven Championship and an NCAA West Regional Semifinal appearance as a senior in 1955-56. He also ran track for legendary Wildcat track coach&nbsp;Ward Haylett, who was later inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.Wilson also broke barriers in his professional life, becoming the first black Director of the State of Kansas Youth Center in Topeka and just the second director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He was also the first black umpire for the American Legion in Topeka, where he participated in 12 regional games, four World Series Tournaments and two international series tournaments.Wilson was inducted into the inaugural class of the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 due his outstanding umpiring services to the youth of Topeka for over 50 years.Born on February 21, 1931 in Anderson, Wilson was a standout basketball player and track and field athlete at Anderson High School in his hometown. He helped the school to the final four of the state basketball tournament in 1948 and led them to a No. 1 ranking as a senior before winning the state long jump championship in 1950.Wilson was coached in high school by&nbsp;Dobbie Lambert, who provided the pipeline to K-State for him and three of his high school teammates –&nbsp;Bob Rousy,&nbsp;Dick Peck&nbsp;and&nbsp;Danny Schuyler&nbsp;– after playing for&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;at Modesto Junior College in California. The quartet arrived on campus in the fall of 1950, where they became a part of a freshman team that held their own against a varsity squad that would go on to the NCAA Championship Game in 1951.Wilson joined the varsity in 1951-52, playing 24 games as a sophomore and ranking sixth on the team in scoring at 5.8 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting for a Wildcat team that posted a 19-5 overall record and finished second in the Big Seven behind eventual NCAA champion Kansas. The team handed the Jayhawks their lone loss of the conference season with an 81-64 win at Ahearn Field House on January 26, 1952After returning from the Korean War, Wilson played in 20 games for Winter and K-State in 1954-55 and 1955-56. An injury sidelined for much of his senior season in 1955-56, in which, the Wildcats posted a 17-8 overall record and won the Big Seven Championship before a trip to the NCAA West Regional Semifinals.&nbsp;Upon leaving K-State, Wilson moved to Topeka in 1959 where he began working for the State of Kansas Youth Center. He started as a service worker for the Center, supervising youth and teaching them life skills, before becoming Unit Director, Youth Care Director, Assistant Superintendent and finally Superintendent. He later worked for the Kansas Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) until retirement.Wilson is survived by his wife,&nbsp;Mae Wilson, and daughter&nbsp;Jeannette West&nbsp;of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, sons&nbsp;Jon Wilson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jeffry Wilson, both of Topeka, Kansas and several stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death his parents (Randolph&nbsp;and&nbsp;Hazel Wilson) and siblings, including brother,&nbsp;Johnny, who played four seasons for the Harlem Globetrotters.Online condolences can be left for the family on the Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bowserjohnsonfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Gene-Paul-Wilson?obId=14896873." target="_blank">here</a>.To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Wilson, please visit the Tribute Store&nbsp;<a href="https://tree.tributecenterstore.com/memorial-tree?oId=14896873&amp;source=tco_description" target="_blank">here</a>.–www.k-statesports.com –TOM GILBERT Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

K-state mourns the passing of Trailblazer Gene Wilson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan McBroom hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning to lift the Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night. Nick Heath and Nicky Lopez also drove in runs for the Royals, who have won two straight after a six-game slide. 

Greg Holland earned the win in relief of starter Jakob Junis while Trevor Rosenthal earned his second save with a perfect ninth. Matt Wisler took the loss after serving up McBroom's homer.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan McBroom hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning to lift the Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night. Nick Heath and Nicky Lopez also drove in runs for the Royals, who have won two straight after a six-game slide. Greg Holland earned the win in relief of starter Jakob Junis while Trevor Rosenthal earned his second save with a perfect ninth. Matt Wisler took the loss after serving up McBroom's homer.

McBroom's homer lifts Royals to win

Nick Heath started in center field for the Kansas City Royals in their 13-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Thursday evening at Kauffman Stadium.

During the game Heath doubled and knocked in a run, drew a walk, scored a run and made the final put-out with a catch on the warning track in the ninth inning. Heath is a 2012 graduate of Junction City High School.

Whit Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Jorge Soler homered in the win. Soler and Salvador Pérez each had three hits and two RBIs, helping Brad Keller to the win in his first major league appearance in nearly a year. Keller, who opened the season on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus, struck out seven in five scoreless innings. Kansas City finished with a season-high 18 hits.&nbsp;

Nick Heath started in center field for the Kansas City Royals in their 13-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Thursday evening at Kauffman Stadium.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It is physically impossible to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/inheathwetrust?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@inheathwetrust</a>&#39;s celebration on his first big-league hit without smiling. Seriously, you can&#39;t do it.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlwaysRoyal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlwaysRoyal</a> <a href="https://t.co/TpO3dSwa7L">pic.twitter.com/TpO3dSwa7L</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1291531730734776321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>During the game Heath doubled and knocked in a run, drew a walk, scored a run and made the final put-out with a catch on the warning track in the ninth inning. Heath is a 2012 graduate of Junction City High School.Whit Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Jorge Soler homered in the win. Soler and Salvador Pérez each had three hits and two RBIs, helping Brad Keller to the win in his first major league appearance in nearly a year. Keller, who opened the season on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus, struck out seven in five scoreless innings. Kansas City finished with a season-high 18 hits.&nbsp;

🎥  Former Blue Jay Nick Heath gets his first start and major league hit

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-05/what-a-pending-football-game-says-about-covid-19-the-fate-small-colleges-and-college-towns">Kansas News Service</a>

STERLING —&nbsp;There’s a lot riding on a kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

The
 Sterling College Warriors are scheduled to take on the McPherson 
College Bulldogs at home. If that familiar thud of shoe against football
 and cheer from the stands doesn’t happen, the college that keeps the 
central Kansas town’s economy humming, that gives it cultural vitality, 
and that separates Sterling from the hollowing out that defines so many 
other small Midwestern towns, might not survive.

The school, after
 133 years, could die and doom the town that takes such pride in the 
football squad and embraces the student body like family.

“If 
COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” said Jeb Miller, a non-traditional senior at 
Sterling College. “And, as a result, harm a lot of small towns. Badly.”

Hundreds
 of small colleges dotting the country rely on students paying tens of 
thousands of dollars a year in exchange for a distinctive, personal, 
high-touch college experience.

Many of those colleges hung on 
year-to-year even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 threatens to cut off
 the oxygen sustaining these schools, and the sports programs that drive
 enrollment.

But the very thing small colleges need to stay afloat
 — students coming in, spending money, playing sports — also poses a 
major risk to relatively isolated little towns that, so far, have dodged
 major coronavirus outbreaks.

Only about 2,200 people live in 
Sterling out on the flat, flat plains of south-central Kansas. But this 
small city boasts an almost idyllic downtown. New office buildings. Two 
good coffee shops. A nice grocery store, a bowling alley, you name it.

Sterling
 has good schools, competitive sports teams. Locals say school plays, 
games and concerts draw big crowds. Without the college, the money, 
diversity and energy that defines life in Sterling could evaporate 
quickly.

“There is just so much overlap,” said Kyler Comley, a 
Sterling College senior who’s lived in the town all his life. “The 
community supports the college. The college supports the community. You 
know, you just see how everything’s intertwined and how people are just 
so overly giving and involved.”

Every student attending Sterling 
College gets paired with a family in town. Those families speak 
endearingly about their adopted scholars.

The students left in 
March. Most haven’t come back. Like many people here, Sterling criminal 
justice professor Mark Tremaine said that starting classes up again in 
person this month is make or break for Sterling College.

“The 
bottom line is, we’ve got to get students back to campus. If we’re going
 to survive,” he said.“We have to accept whatever the risks are and do 
it.”

And that’s the plan. Sterling doesn’t have much of a choice.

“We
 have committed to open up in the fall,” Sterling College President 
Scott Rich said. “With face to face classes, face-to-face coursework, 
dorms and activities and full swing. But we’re committed to doing it 
safely.”

Rich said the school will quarantine students coming back to the 
dorms, test them liberally, and isolate those who come down sick in 
local hotels.

Rich said the freshman class looks strong, with 
about 200 new students. But he is desperately trying to woo 50 or so 
upperclassmen who haven’t signed on this year. The school needs them 
because, like many other small institutions, Sterling College scrapes by
 from year to year.

“We’re always dependent upon enrollment, 
always dependent upon that next year, always dependent upon persistence 
or retention,” Rich said. “We have to get students to come back.”

Other small-town schools across the country, and the communities tied to their fate, face the same existential crisis.

“Some
 of the people I know are looking at hundreds of colleges going out of 
business within the next several years, if this pandemic continues and 
if the economic devastation associated with it continues,” said Scott 
Carlson with the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Small liberal arts
 colleges have been shaky for years. Enrollments have slumped, 
endowments have been drained. Many schools have piled on debt in a 
building boom fueled by competition for students.

Most offer 
courses online, but online classes don’t pay the bills. Small schools 
survive only by providing an expensive, in-person college experience. 
And Carlson said the pandemic shreds that business model, and threatens 
to trigger the higher education equivalent of a mass extinction.

“It’s
 kind of sad," he said. "These colleges are unique, little entities all 
on their own, and each one of them provides a unique spin on higher 
education.”

Sterling College, 
for instance, leans heavily on a particular interpretation of 
Christianity. Guarding the front door of the classic, old limestone 
building that anchors campus is a statue of Christ — not being tortured 
on the cross, but humbly washing the feet of a disciple. “Servant 
leadership,” as anyone here will tell you, guides the campus ethic.

But Jesus doesn’t keep the lights on here. Football does.

“We
 do have a good football team,” said Sterling’s athletic director, Scott
 Downing. “They’ve been fairly successful the last dozen years and been 
to the national playoffs, won the conference championship.”

The team helps bring the students together, but more importantly, it drives enrollment.

“With
 a football team number of about 125 to 135 student-athletes, quite a 
bit of our student body is involved in that sport,” Downing said.

That’s
 an understatement. There are only about 500 students on campus in a 
given year, one in four is on the football team. And there are 20 other 
sports.

The chance to play college sports is a major selling point
 for schools like Sterling. It drives enrollment. But in a pandemic, 
sports can be vectors for disease. And Jed Miller, who’s finishing his 
degree at Sterling online next year, says that’s another vulnerability.

“If
 COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” he said. “And as a result, hurt a lot of small 
towns ... badly.”

So, the same colleges that keep some small towns vibrant now pose a particular threat to public health.

“The
 college probably is the most dangerous element for us in terms of 
COVID,” said Kristina Darnauer, a family practice doctor in Sterling. 
“It potentially brings back students from all over the US who have 
variable levels of exposure.”

Darnauer is torn. She loves 
Sterling, loves the college, and fully appreciates how important it is 
to the school and the town that college ramp almost as normal this fall.

But
 she’s got patients to care for. And she said this county, with only one
 hospital and no intensive care unit is not ready for a cluster of 
coronavirus cases.

“If we have a huge outbreak,” Darnauer said, “we’re going to be out of resources very quickly.”

Small colleges and college towns across much of the country face the same worries.

But
 some analysts say that a pruning of universities may prove inevitable, 
and that the coronavirus has only sped up the thinning of the higher 
education herd.

“I actually see the future of higher education, 
broadly speaking, as entering a new golden age,” said Richard Price, a 
research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. It’s a think tank 
that presses for dramatic change in institutions.

Price said the 
pandemic may hasten the evolution to better online classes, and a public
 education system that’s much more accessible and equitable.

“The 
traditional model, it was originally for the landed elite and it wasn’t 
for all genders,” Price said. “It wasn’t for all races. And that is 
slowly getting phased out along with some older business models that 
aren’t pivoting well.”

And Price thinks many little colleges will 
adapt. Lots of them have cheated death before. But he said there’s 
little doubt that this time next year the United States will have many 
fewer colleges. Folks in Sterling, Kansas, hope and, yes, pray, that 
Sterling College is among the survivors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596722865321.png" alt="A local gospel quintet entertains Sterling residents on a recent Tuesday evening. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>A local gospel quintet entertains Sterling residents on a recent Tuesday evening. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-05/what-a-pending-football-game-says-about-covid-19-the-fate-small-colleges-and-college-towns">Kansas News Service</a>STERLING —&nbsp;There’s a lot riding on a kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.The
 Sterling College Warriors are scheduled to take on the McPherson 
College Bulldogs at home. If that familiar thud of shoe against football
 and cheer from the stands doesn’t happen, the college that keeps the 
central Kansas town’s economy humming, that gives it cultural vitality, 
and that separates Sterling from the hollowing out that defines so many 
other small Midwestern towns, might not survive.The school, after
 133 years, could die and doom the town that takes such pride in the 
football squad and embraces the student body like family.“If 
COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” said Jeb Miller, a non-traditional senior at 
Sterling College. “And, as a result, harm a lot of small towns. Badly.”<h2>Small town institutions</h2>Hundreds
 of small colleges dotting the country rely on students paying tens of 
thousands of dollars a year in exchange for a distinctive, personal, 
high-touch college experience.Many of those colleges hung on 
year-to-year even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 threatens to cut off
 the oxygen sustaining these schools, and the sports programs that drive
 enrollment.But the very thing small colleges need to stay afloat
 — students coming in, spending money, playing sports — also poses a 
major risk to relatively isolated little towns that, so far, have dodged
 major coronavirus outbreaks.Only about 2,200 people live in 
Sterling out on the flat, flat plains of south-central Kansas. But this 
small city boasts an almost idyllic downtown. New office buildings. Two 
good coffee shops. A nice grocery store, a bowling alley, you name it.Sterling
 has good schools, competitive sports teams. Locals say school plays, 
games and concerts draw big crowds. Without the college, the money, 
diversity and energy that defines life in Sterling could evaporate 
quickly.“There is just so much overlap,” said Kyler Comley, a 
Sterling College senior who’s lived in the town all his life. “The 
community supports the college. The college supports the community. You 
know, you just see how everything’s intertwined and how people are just 
so overly giving and involved.”Every student attending Sterling 
College gets paired with a family in town. Those families speak 
endearingly about their adopted scholars.The students left in 
March. Most haven’t come back. Like many people here, Sterling criminal 
justice professor Mark Tremaine said that starting classes up again in 
person this month is make or break for Sterling College.“The 
bottom line is, we’ve got to get students back to campus. If we’re going
 to survive,” he said.“We have to accept whatever the risks are and do 
it.”And that’s the plan. Sterling doesn’t have much of a choice.<h2>Staying alive</h2>“We
 have committed to open up in the fall,” Sterling College President 
Scott Rich said. “With face to face classes, face-to-face coursework, 
dorms and activities and full swing. But we’re committed to doing it 
safely.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596722974216.png" alt="Sterling College President Scot Rich. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>Sterling College President Scot Rich. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Rich said the school will quarantine students coming back to the 
dorms, test them liberally, and isolate those who come down sick in 
local hotels.Rich said the freshman class looks strong, with 
about 200 new students. But he is desperately trying to woo 50 or so 
upperclassmen who haven’t signed on this year. The school needs them 
because, like many other small institutions, Sterling College scrapes by
 from year to year.“We’re always dependent upon enrollment, 
always dependent upon that next year, always dependent upon persistence 
or retention,” Rich said. “We have to get students to come back.”Other small-town schools across the country, and the communities tied to their fate, face the same existential crisis.“Some
 of the people I know are looking at hundreds of colleges going out of 
business within the next several years, if this pandemic continues and 
if the economic devastation associated with it continues,” said Scott 
Carlson with the Chronicle of Higher Education.Small liberal arts
 colleges have been shaky for years. Enrollments have slumped, 
endowments have been drained. Many schools have piled on debt in a 
building boom fueled by competition for students.Most offer 
courses online, but online classes don’t pay the bills. Small schools 
survive only by providing an expensive, in-person college experience. 
And Carlson said the pandemic shreds that business model, and threatens 
to trigger the higher education equivalent of a mass extinction.“It’s
 kind of sad," he said. "These colleges are unique, little entities all 
on their own, and each one of them provides a unique spin on higher 
education.”<h2>‘Servant leadership’</h2>Sterling College, 
for instance, leans heavily on a particular interpretation of 
Christianity. Guarding the front door of the classic, old limestone 
building that anchors campus is a statue of Christ — not being tortured 
on the cross, but humbly washing the feet of a disciple. “Servant 
leadership,” as anyone here will tell you, guides the campus ethic.But Jesus doesn’t keep the lights on here. Football does.“We
 do have a good football team,” said Sterling’s athletic director, Scott
 Downing. “They’ve been fairly successful the last dozen years and been 
to the national playoffs, won the conference championship.”The team helps bring the students together, but more importantly, it drives enrollment.“With
 a football team number of about 125 to 135 student-athletes, quite a 
bit of our student body is involved in that sport,” Downing said.That’s
 an understatement. There are only about 500 students on campus in a 
given year, one in four is on the football team. And there are 20 other 
sports.The chance to play college sports is a major selling point
 for schools like Sterling. It drives enrollment. But in a pandemic, 
sports can be vectors for disease. And Jed Miller, who’s finishing his 
degree at Sterling online next year, says that’s another vulnerability.“If
 COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” he said. “And as a result, hurt a lot of small 
towns ... badly.”So, the same colleges that keep some small towns vibrant now pose a particular threat to public health.“The
 college probably is the most dangerous element for us in terms of 
COVID,” said Kristina Darnauer, a family practice doctor in Sterling. 
“It potentially brings back students from all over the US who have 
variable levels of exposure.”Darnauer is torn. She loves 
Sterling, loves the college, and fully appreciates how important it is 
to the school and the town that college ramp almost as normal this fall.But
 she’s got patients to care for. And she said this county, with only one
 hospital and no intensive care unit is not ready for a cluster of 
coronavirus cases.“If we have a huge outbreak,” Darnauer said, “we’re going to be out of resources very quickly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596723019769.png" alt="An aging note on a door at the University of Missouri Kansas City promises a speedy reopening. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>An aging note on a door at the University of Missouri Kansas City promises a speedy reopening. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A new era</h2>Small colleges and college towns across much of the country face the same worries.But
 some analysts say that a pruning of universities may prove inevitable, 
and that the coronavirus has only sped up the thinning of the higher 
education herd.“I actually see the future of higher education, 
broadly speaking, as entering a new golden age,” said Richard Price, a 
research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. It’s a think tank 
that presses for dramatic change in institutions.Price said the 
pandemic may hasten the evolution to better online classes, and a public
 education system that’s much more accessible and equitable.“The 
traditional model, it was originally for the landed elite and it wasn’t 
for all genders,” Price said. “It wasn’t for all races. And that is 
slowly getting phased out along with some older business models that 
aren’t pivoting well.”And Price thinks many little colleges will 
adapt. Lots of them have cheated death before. But he said there’s 
little doubt that this time next year the United States will have many 
fewer colleges. Folks in Sterling, Kansas, hope and, yes, pray, that 
Sterling College is among the survivors.

What a football game says about COVID-19, fate of small colleges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yu Darvish pitched seven sharp innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the skidding Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory. 

Javier Báez drove in two runs for the Cubs, who handed Kansas City its sixth consecutive defeat. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo each had two hits and scored twice. Darvish was in midseason form for the second straight outing. He gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yu Darvish pitched seven sharp innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the skidding Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory. Javier Báez drove in two runs for the Cubs, who handed Kansas City its sixth consecutive defeat. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo each had two hits and scored twice. Darvish was in midseason form for the second straight outing. He gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one.&nbsp;

Royals drop sixth straight game

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs overcame another shaky outing by closer Craig Kimbrel to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Tuesday night for their fifth straight win.Kimbrel took over to begin the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead, but struggled and allowed two runs and two hits while getting only one out. Kyle Ryan closed it out for his first save, getting Bubba Starling to ground out with a runner on third to end it. 

In the ninth inning former Junction City Blue Jay, Nick Heath, playing for the Royals stole two bases and was left on third base at the end of the game.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs overcame another shaky outing by closer Craig Kimbrel to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Tuesday night for their fifth straight win.Kimbrel took over to begin the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead, but struggled and allowed two runs and two hits while getting only one out. Kyle Ryan closed it out for his first save, getting Bubba Starling to ground out with a runner on third to end it. In the ninth inning former Junction City Blue Jay, Nick Heath, playing for the Royals stole two bases and was left on third base at the end of the game.

Royals fall to the Cubs by one run

Efforts to support the Junction City Blue Jay wrestling program will be under way this weekend when the Blue Jay Takedown Club hosts a yard sale on Saturday and Sunday at 1219 Miller Drive. The hours will be 7 a.m. to noon on both days.

Tyler Gonzales explained that the club raises funds to benefit the high school team to meet needs such as helping make camps and clinics affordable for wrestlers, helping purchase their memberships for USA Wrestling so they can compete in wrestling outside of the high school season and meals or extra gear for the wrestlers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596628598910.png" alt="blue jay.png" />
 <figcaption>blue jay.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Efforts to support the Junction City Blue Jay wrestling program will be under way this weekend when the Blue Jay Takedown Club hosts a yard sale on Saturday and Sunday at 1219 Miller Drive. The hours will be 7 a.m. to noon on both days.Tyler Gonzales explained that the club raises funds to benefit the high school team to meet needs such as helping make camps and clinics affordable for wrestlers, helping purchase their memberships for USA Wrestling so they can compete in wrestling outside of the high school season and meals or extra gear for the wrestlers.

Blue Jay Takedown Club will hold host a Back to School Yard Sale

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal December shooting have a suspect in custody.

Authorities in Northern California arrested Deuntae Markese Markham, 21, Wichita, on a Cowley County District Court warrant, according Cowley County Sheriff Dave Faletti.

Markham is being held without bond in San Francisco in connection with the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Gabriel Luna in the early morning hours of December 18, 2019 at&nbsp; the Honor Apartments at Southwestern College in the 1700 Block of Fowler in Winfield.

EMS transported Luna to the emergency room at William Newton Memorial Hospital and he was then transported by air ambulance to a Wichita area hospital and died December 20.

Markham, who is being held on requested charges of 2nd degree murder is scheduled for a hearing this week, according to online jail records.

Depending on whether Markham fights extradition, Faletti expects to have him transported to Kansas "in a timely manner."&nbsp;

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and are asking the public for help with information.

Just after 1 a.m. December 18, Winfield Fire/EMS and Winfield Police Department responded to the Honor Apartments at Southwestern College in the 1700 Block of Fowler for a report of a gunshot victim, according to Chris Hood with the city of Winfield.

Upon investigation, it was determined that the resident of the apartment later identified as 32-year-old Gabriel Luna was the victim of the gunshot wound. He was transported to the emergency room at William Newton Memorial Hospital and then transported by air ambulance to a Wichita Kansas area hospital.&nbsp; On Friday Luna died of his injuries, according to Hood.

The shooting is now being investigating as a homicide.

Anyone who has knowledge about the shooting or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact the Winfield Police Department at (620)221-5555 or Cowley County Crime Stoppers at either 221-7777 or through their website which may be accessed through the Cowley County website.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597081657197.png" alt="Honor apartments photo courtesy Southwestern College" />
 <figcaption>Honor apartments photo courtesy Southwestern College</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal December shooting have a suspect in custody.Authorities in Northern California arrested Deuntae Markese Markham, 21, Wichita, on a Cowley County District Court warrant, according Cowley County Sheriff Dave Faletti.Markham is being held without bond in San Francisco in connection with the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Gabriel Luna in the early morning hours of December 18, 2019 at&nbsp; the Honor Apartments at Southwestern College in the 1700 Block of Fowler in Winfield.EMS transported Luna to the emergency room at William Newton Memorial Hospital and he was then transported by air ambulance to a Wichita area hospital and died December 20.Markham, who is being held on requested charges of 2nd degree murder is scheduled for a hearing this week, according to online jail records.Depending on whether Markham fights extradition, Faletti expects to have him transported to Kansas "in a timely manner."&nbsp;-------COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and are asking the public for help with information.Just after 1 a.m. December 18, Winfield Fire/EMS and Winfield Police Department responded to the Honor Apartments at Southwestern College in the 1700 Block of Fowler for a report of a gunshot victim, according to Chris Hood with the city of Winfield.Upon investigation, it was determined that the resident of the apartment later identified as 32-year-old Gabriel Luna was the victim of the gunshot wound. He was transported to the emergency room at William Newton Memorial Hospital and then transported by air ambulance to a Wichita Kansas area hospital.&nbsp; On Friday Luna died of his injuries, according to Hood.The shooting is now being investigating as a homicide.Anyone who has knowledge about the shooting or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact the Winfield Police Department at (620)221-5555 or Cowley County Crime Stoppers at either 221-7777 or through their website which may be accessed through the Cowley County website.&nbsp;------------

Suspect jailed in Calif. for deadly shooting at Kan. college apartments

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/kansas-dials-up-plan-to-spend-60-million-in-covid-19-aid-on-broadband-expansion/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly 
and a bipartisan majority of the State Finance Council voted Monday to 
allocate $60 million in federal COVID-19 aid to expansion of broadband 
in underserved areas of Kansas for benefit of business, telemedicine and
 education services.

Kansas Department of 
Commerce secretary David Toland said high-speed internet had to be 
viewed as an essential expenditure rather than a luxury investment due 
to inadequacies exposed during the pandemic. He urged the council to 
authorize the spending by arguing action at this time on rural broadband
 was akin to rural electrification programs in the 1930s.

“It’s critical if we are to grow as a state,” Toland said. “It’s simply a matter of practicality and common sense.”

The plan adopted by the 
council earmarked $50 million to create more communication 
infrastructure and applied $10 million to support of connectivity in 
low-income homes. The money must be spent by the end of 2020 with 
priority given to shovel-ready projects and an emphasis on telehealth 
services. The broadband initiative had been temporarily blocked after 
several Republicans said they didn’t believe the Kelly administration 
had yet developed a workable plan.

“The $60 million we’re 
looking at today is not going to be enough,” said Rep. Troy Waymaster, a
 Bunker Hill Republican. “Obviously, to have this implemented through 
the entire state of Kansas is going to cost more.”

Kelly said she agreed 
available funding wouldn’t address requirements for linking students to 
schools, sick people to medical clinics and business owners to customers
 worldwide. She said a third phase of spending from federal CARES Act 
appropriations could provide an supplemental layer of aid for broadband.

“Plus we’re still waiting 
with baited breath to see what the feds do. Hopefully, we will be able 
to increase this amount significantly going forward,” the governor said.

A majority of Republicans 
and Democrats on the council approved a proposal from the Kelly 
administration to spend up to $5 million to hire an accounting firm 
capable of tracking $1 billion in CARES Act funding distributed by the 
state amid the pandemic. Kelly said it would have been difficult for the
 state to promptly hire a sufficient number of highly skilled personnel 
for an accounting and compliance job ending in less than five months.

Senate President Susan 
Wagle, a Republican from Wichita, said she wasn’t convinced $5 million 
was required to provide transparency and accountability of COVID-19 
expenditures.

“This seems an excessive 
amount of money,” Wagle said. “Did we look at trying to do this within 
our own Department of Administration? Five million dollars to dot the Is
 and cross the Ts?”

House Majority Leader Dan 
Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, was the lone vote against the broadband 
initiative, the accounting contract and a separate $4 million 
expenditure of COVID-19 funding. He did so to protest recent 
distribution of information about the pandemic by the Kansas Department 
of Health and Environment. He accused KDHE secretary Lee Norman of 
putting out a confusing chart about spread of disease in counties that 
adopted a mask mandate and counties that chose not to take that step.

“The chart was incredibly misleading,” said Hawkins, as he launched into a speech about about KDHE leadership.

“Representative Hawkins,” the governor said, “we are talking about agency reimbursements from the CARES Act.”

“If you would like to ask a
 question or make a statement related to that, you are welcome to do 
so,” said Kelly, who chairs the State Finance Council.

Hawkins chose not to pose a
 question at that juncture in the meeting. During voting on the 
broadband aid, Hawkins said: “Due to the fact that your administration 
has a problem with transparency, that you have agencies that are giving 
out not-so-good information, and the fact that you don’t want to allow 
me to speak, I vote no.”

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597088565135.jpeg" alt="House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, right, a Republican from Wichita, voted against three COVID-19 funding proposals Monday to protest information he considered flawed that was distributed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, right, a Republican from Wichita, voted against three COVID-19 funding proposals Monday to protest information he considered flawed that was distributed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/10/kansas-dials-up-plan-to-spend-60-million-in-covid-19-aid-on-broadband-expansion/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly 
and a bipartisan majority of the State Finance Council voted Monday to 
allocate $60 million in federal COVID-19 aid to expansion of broadband 
in underserved areas of Kansas for benefit of business, telemedicine and
 education services.Kansas Department of 
Commerce secretary David Toland said high-speed internet had to be 
viewed as an essential expenditure rather than a luxury investment due 
to inadequacies exposed during the pandemic. He urged the council to 
authorize the spending by arguing action at this time on rural broadband
 was akin to rural electrification programs in the 1930s.“It’s critical if we are to grow as a state,” Toland said. “It’s simply a matter of practicality and common sense.”The plan adopted by the 
council earmarked $50 million to create more communication 
infrastructure and applied $10 million to support of connectivity in 
low-income homes. The money must be spent by the end of 2020 with 
priority given to shovel-ready projects and an emphasis on telehealth 
services. The broadband initiative had been temporarily blocked after 
several Republicans said they didn’t believe the Kelly administration 
had yet developed a workable plan.“The $60 million we’re 
looking at today is not going to be enough,” said Rep. Troy Waymaster, a
 Bunker Hill Republican. “Obviously, to have this implemented through 
the entire state of Kansas is going to cost more.”Kelly said she agreed 
available funding wouldn’t address requirements for linking students to 
schools, sick people to medical clinics and business owners to customers
 worldwide. She said a third phase of spending from federal CARES Act 
appropriations could provide an supplemental layer of aid for broadband.“Plus we’re still waiting 
with baited breath to see what the feds do. Hopefully, we will be able 
to increase this amount significantly going forward,” the governor said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597088626978.jpeg" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday she supported allocation of $60 million in federal funding for expansion of broadband services in Kansas and would endorse additional spending to help with education, business and health care services tied to the internet. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly said Monday she supported allocation of $60 million in federal funding for expansion of broadband services in Kansas and would endorse additional spending to help with education, business and health care services tied to the internet. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>A majority of Republicans 
and Democrats on the council approved a proposal from the Kelly 
administration to spend up to $5 million to hire an accounting firm 
capable of tracking $1 billion in CARES Act funding distributed by the 
state amid the pandemic. Kelly said it would have been difficult for the
 state to promptly hire a sufficient number of highly skilled personnel 
for an accounting and compliance job ending in less than five months.Senate President Susan 
Wagle, a Republican from Wichita, said she wasn’t convinced $5 million 
was required to provide transparency and accountability of COVID-19 
expenditures.“This seems an excessive 
amount of money,” Wagle said. “Did we look at trying to do this within 
our own Department of Administration? Five million dollars to dot the Is
 and cross the Ts?”House Majority Leader Dan 
Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, was the lone vote against the broadband 
initiative, the accounting contract and a separate $4 million 
expenditure of COVID-19 funding. He did so to protest recent 
distribution of information about the pandemic by the Kansas Department 
of Health and Environment. He accused KDHE secretary Lee Norman of 
putting out a confusing chart about spread of disease in counties that 
adopted a mask mandate and counties that chose not to take that step.“The chart was incredibly misleading,” said Hawkins, as he launched into a speech about about KDHE leadership.“Representative Hawkins,” the governor said, “we are talking about agency reimbursements from the CARES Act.”“I agree,” Hawkins replied.“If you would like to ask a
 question or make a statement related to that, you are welcome to do 
so,” said Kelly, who chairs the State Finance Council.Hawkins chose not to pose a
 question at that juncture in the meeting. During voting on the 
broadband aid, Hawkins said: “Due to the fact that your administration 
has a problem with transparency, that you have agencies that are giving 
out not-so-good information, and the fact that you don’t want to allow 
me to speak, I vote no.”Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;