Sometimes it is good to look back a few years to see where you were and how far we have come over the years. Often it makes us appreciate what really has been accomplished and then a plan is developed to move ahead.

No doubt there is always discussions about streets in this and most cities. Of course, we travel on these streets daily, and they are important. This week we reviewed data over the past 14 years of the amount of major street work Completed each year in the City. A couple of months ago the City Commission approved a bid of $1,582,283.25 for the 2024 Street Maintenance program. This amount will be paid to the contractor and then there is engineering costs for both design and inspection. The biggest portion of this project will be the mill and overlay of 6th Street from Washington Street to Eisenhower Street. Of course, this is a four-lane street which is showing much wear and tear, but also has a large amount of traffic each day. There are also a few blocks in other portions of the City that will be addressed as well but for the most part the major portion of funds are directed to 6th Street.

For the past three years the budget for the major street maintenance project has been more than $1.5 million each year. This followed a period of 6 years of being in the $1.1 million dollar area. However back in 2011 only $223,003.64 was spent for street maintenance and in 2012 that number dropped to $91,573.90. Simply the City had no money as that was during the major financial crisis. During those years it was a little concrete patching, and the City used a micro surfacing process that was simply a band aid fix. There was not much money available and that was all that could be afforded. Of course, that just pushed more work down the road. In 2013 the amount moved up to $430.773.25 and then that was doubled for 2014 and then in 2015 another $100,000 was added. I know we often mention the financial crisis, but as debt has been paid down, more funds are available. There is a reason why we have really focused on paying down the General Obligation debt.

The numbers above do not include projects where the City receives grant funds and only pay for a portion of the project. This would include Washington from the interstate north to 18th Street and then from there west on 18th to Jackson, and also from 6th and Washington east to the City limits. These are all Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)connecting links. KDOT would love to turn these over to the City, but the long-term cost to the City would be great and is not a good financial option.

Then there are projects like the roundabout that will be replaced on Washington Street at the Interstate that will be done this summer where KDOT funds pay for a large portion of the costs. Other grant funded projects include work that was done on Spring Valley Road in the Ash Street area, the improvements at 18th and Jackson, and the Ash and Eishenhower intersection. Another big improvement was the Blue Jay Way project, the construction of Ray Way, and the Highway 18 roundabout. Some of this was paid with funding from the School district as part of the high school project and the City received $2 million from KDOT to defray the costs.

There are also City funds spent for pothole filling, but as much as is done by the Public Works Street staff, they are limited on time as there are other duties as well. No doubt more employees and equipment would be great, but that would mean more dollars.

Even though streets are vital and important, the City has to look at other projects such as parks or improvements to the baseball fields. I know some will disagree, but others think more should be spent for those projects. We always strive to find a balance on all of the projects.

The 6th Street KDOT bridge project is open and nearly completed. Yes the interstate project will be a pain and we are all inconvenienced, but to make improvements it has to occur.

I do get questions about a sidewalk that will be built along Spring Valley Road from Ash Street to Valley Drive. Again, a large portion will be paid with KDOT funds, but the project has been delayed since the City will now have to use eminent domain as one property owner has not agreed for both temporary and permanent easements for the project. The project will happen but has been delayed. KDOT plans to bid this project in December and hopefully we can stay on that time table.

By Allen Dinkel, City ManagerSometimes it is good to look back a few years to see where you were and how far we have come over the years. Often it makes us appreciate what really has been accomplished and then a plan is developed to move ahead.No doubt there is always discussions about streets in this and most cities. Of course, we travel on these streets daily, and they are important. This week we reviewed data over the past 14 years of the amount of major street work Completed each year in the City. A couple of months ago the City Commission approved a bid of $1,582,283.25 for the 2024 Street Maintenance program. This amount will be paid to the contractor and then there is engineering costs for both design and inspection. The biggest portion of this project will be the mill and overlay of 6th Street from Washington Street to Eisenhower Street. Of course, this is a four-lane street which is showing much wear and tear, but also has a large amount of traffic each day. There are also a few blocks in other portions of the City that will be addressed as well but for the most part the major portion of funds are directed to 6th Street.For the past three years the budget for the major street maintenance project has been more than $1.5 million each year. This followed a period of 6 years of being in the $1.1 million dollar area. However back in 2011 only $223,003.64 was spent for street maintenance and in 2012 that number dropped to $91,573.90. Simply the City had no money as that was during the major financial crisis. During those years it was a little concrete patching, and the City used a micro surfacing process that was simply a band aid fix. There was not much money available and that was all that could be afforded. Of course, that just pushed more work down the road. In 2013 the amount moved up to $430.773.25 and then that was doubled for 2014 and then in 2015 another $100,000 was added. I know we often mention the financial crisis, but as debt has been paid down, more funds are available. There is a reason why we have really focused on paying down the General Obligation debt.The numbers above do not include projects where the City receives grant funds and only pay for a portion of the project. This would include Washington from the interstate north to 18th Street and then from there west on 18th to Jackson, and also from 6th and Washington east to the City limits. These are all Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)connecting links. KDOT would love to turn these over to the City, but the long-term cost to the City would be great and is not a good financial option.Then there are projects like the roundabout that will be replaced on Washington Street at the Interstate that will be done this summer where KDOT funds pay for a large portion of the costs. Other grant funded projects include work that was done on Spring Valley Road in the Ash Street area, the improvements at 18th and Jackson, and the Ash and Eishenhower intersection. Another big improvement was the Blue Jay Way project, the construction of Ray Way, and the Highway 18 roundabout. Some of this was paid with funding from the School district as part of the high school project and the City received $2 million from KDOT to defray the costs.There are also City funds spent for pothole filling, but as much as is done by the Public Works Street staff, they are limited on time as there are other duties as well. No doubt more employees and equipment would be great, but that would mean more dollars.Even though streets are vital and important, the City has to look at other projects such as parks or improvements to the baseball fields. I know some will disagree, but others think more should be spent for those projects. We always strive to find a balance on all of the projects.The 6th Street KDOT bridge project is open and nearly completed. Yes the interstate project will be a pain and we are all inconvenienced, but to make improvements it has to occur.I do get questions about a sidewalk that will be built along Spring Valley Road from Ash Street to Valley Drive. Again, a large portion will be paid with KDOT funds, but the project has been delayed since the City will now have to use eminent domain as one property owner has not agreed for both temporary and permanent easements for the project. The project will happen but has been delayed. KDOT plans to bid this project in December and hopefully we can stay on that time table.

The 515 Report

Army Sgt. Major ( Ret) Michael 'Tony' Grinston, told the Armed Forces Day Appreciation audience in Junction City on Saturday that was a reminder of the sacrifices made by the military.

( Photos - By&nbsp; Cadin Sanner - JCPD )

Grinston said Soldiers become integral parts of this community and the people in Junction City rally around them. He noted that the Big Red One proved no mission was ever too difficult.

The event included the swearing in of two new Soldiers.

There was also a donation of 100,000 servings of protein by Smithfield Foods to the community, signifying support and gratitude to brave Soldiers.

The event was held downtown near Ninth and Washington.

Army Sgt. Major ( Ret) Michael 'Tony' Grinston, told the Armed Forces Day Appreciation audience in Junction City on Saturday that was a reminder of the sacrifices made by the military.( Photos - By&nbsp; Cadin Sanner - JCPD )<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716084206518.jpeg" alt="Army Sgt. Maj. ( Ret. ) Michael 'Tony 'Grinston" />
 <figcaption>Army Sgt. Maj. ( Ret. ) Michael 'Tony 'Grinston</figcaption>
 </figure>Grinston said Soldiers become integral parts of this community and the people in Junction City rally around them. He noted that the Big Red One proved no mission was ever too difficult.The event included the swearing in of two new Soldiers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716084264165.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There was also a donation of 100,000 servings of protein by Smithfield Foods to the community, signifying support and gratitude to brave Soldiers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716084903894.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The event was held downtown near Ninth and Washington.

Armed Forces Day is celebrated in Junction City

&nbsp;This week,&nbsp; Wabaunsee County Emergency Management contacted the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response and Investigations Division to assist in the investigation of an exhibit that may have had deteriorating artifacts located inside the&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Historical Society and Museum, 227 Missouri Avenue in Alma, according to a media release from the State Fire Marshal.

A strategic plan was put in place with all responding agencies to investigate, assess and safely remove the materials from the museum and then proper disposal of the items.

Deteriorating chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. The OSFM commended the&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Historical Society and Museum and Marci Spaw, museum director, for handling this incident in a way that kept everyone safe. The museum is back open for business.

Responding agencies included the following Topeka Police Bomb Squad; Topeka Fire HazMat;&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Sheriff’s department;&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Emergency Management;&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Fire District No. 6; FBI Joint Terrorism Task force with fire personnel from KC Metro; an ATF rep from KC Metro; and the Emergency Response Division/HazMat and Investigation’s Division from the OSFM.

&nbsp;This week,&nbsp; Wabaunsee County Emergency Management contacted the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response and Investigations Division to assist in the investigation of an exhibit that may have had deteriorating artifacts located inside the&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Historical Society and Museum, 227 Missouri Avenue in Alma, according to a media release from the State Fire Marshal.A strategic plan was put in place with all responding agencies to investigate, assess and safely remove the materials from the museum and then proper disposal of the items.Deteriorating chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. The OSFM commended the&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Historical Society and Museum and Marci Spaw, museum director, for handling this incident in a way that kept everyone safe. The museum is back open for business.Responding agencies included the following Topeka Police Bomb Squad; Topeka Fire HazMat;&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Sheriff’s department;&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Emergency Management;&nbsp;Wabaunsee&nbsp;County Fire District No. 6; FBI Joint Terrorism Task force with fire personnel from KC Metro; an ATF rep from KC Metro; and the Emergency Response Division/HazMat and Investigation’s Division from the OSFM.

Bomb disposal units clear dangerous materials from Wabaunsee Co. museum

TOPEKA, Kan. – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% in April. This is an increase from 2.7% in March and an increase from 2.7% in April 2023, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Labor.

“The Kansas unemployment rate for April was 2.8%,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “The state has maintained an unemployment rate below 3.0% since October 2021.”

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,000 from March.

The unemployment rate in Geary County is down from 4.1 percent in March to 3.7 percent in April. The rate in Riley County is down from 2.7 percent in March to 2..5&nbsp; percent in April. The rate in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties also saw a decline.

Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 1,700 over the month, while government increased by 300.

“Kansas continued to add jobs in April, with total nonfarm job estimates increasing by 2,000 jobs over the month,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The state has experienced significant job growth over the past three months, with average monthly gains of 4,900 jobs.”

Since April 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 23,000. This change is due to an increase of 17,500 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,500 government jobs.

<a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=O+qpCkhjA+v3dzYVbAEMjQ==">Click here for complete</a> Kansas labor market information for April

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715954877089.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. – Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information Services (LMIS) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.8% in April. This is an increase from 2.7% in March and an increase from 2.7% in April 2023, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Labor.“The Kansas unemployment rate for April was 2.8%,” said Secretary Amber Shultz. “The state has maintained an unemployment rate below 3.0% since October 2021.”Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,000 from March.The unemployment rate in Geary County is down from 4.1 percent in March to 3.7 percent in April. The rate in Riley County is down from 2.7 percent in March to 2..5&nbsp; percent in April. The rate in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties also saw a decline.Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs increased by 1,700 over the month, while government increased by 300.“Kansas continued to add jobs in April, with total nonfarm job estimates increasing by 2,000 jobs over the month,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “The state has experienced significant job growth over the past three months, with average monthly gains of 4,900 jobs.”Since April 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 23,000. This change is due to an increase of 17,500 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,500 government jobs.<a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=O+qpCkhjA+v3dzYVbAEMjQ==">Click here for complete</a> Kansas labor market information for April

Jobless rate in Geary Co., across the region continues to decline

Manhattan, KS –&nbsp; Amber Cook has been named the principal of Oliver Brown Elementary School.

Cook has served as the Early Childhood Center Principal for Geary County (KS) School District since August of 2021. Prior to that, she was a 5th grade and 3rd grade elementary classroom teacher in the Gardner-Edgerton (KS) School District from 2016-2021. She has also served a Title 1 elementary teacher/intervention coordinator for Lawrence (KS) Public Schools from 2015-2016. She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher in Lawrence in 2007. Mrs. Cook received a Bachelor of Arts from Kansas State University in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in School Leadership from Baker University.

“I am honored and excited to join the Oliver Brown Elementary School community,” states Cook. “I am committed to building upon the school's achievements and fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel supported and valued, alongside their parents and families as our partners in education.” “We are excited for Mrs. Amber Cook to join our team as the Principal of Oliver Brown Elementary School,” states Superintendent Eric Reid. “She possesses the skill set needed to advance Oliver Brown toward its full potential. We are looking forward to supporting her in making the most of this leadership opportunity to benefit students, families, and staff.”

By Michele JonesUSD 383 Office of CommunicationsManhattan, KS –&nbsp; Amber Cook has been named the principal of Oliver Brown Elementary School.Cook has served as the Early Childhood Center Principal for Geary County (KS) School District since August of 2021. Prior to that, she was a 5th grade and 3rd grade elementary classroom teacher in the Gardner-Edgerton (KS) School District from 2016-2021. She has also served a Title 1 elementary teacher/intervention coordinator for Lawrence (KS) Public Schools from 2015-2016. She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher in Lawrence in 2007. Mrs. Cook received a Bachelor of Arts from Kansas State University in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in School Leadership from Baker University.“I am honored and excited to join the Oliver Brown Elementary School community,” states Cook. “I am committed to building upon the school's achievements and fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel supported and valued, alongside their parents and families as our partners in education.” “We are excited for Mrs. Amber Cook to join our team as the Principal of Oliver Brown Elementary School,” states Superintendent Eric Reid. “She possesses the skill set needed to advance Oliver Brown toward its full potential. We are looking forward to supporting her in making the most of this leadership opportunity to benefit students, families, and staff.”Cook will begin her role in July, 2024

Cook Named Oliver Brown Elementary School Principal

The members of Geary County Veterans Alliance have announced that due to circumstances beyond their control, a Memorial Day program will not be held this year. The information was provided by Veteran Alliance Program Director Brenda Boyd.

The members of Geary County Veterans Alliance have announced that due to circumstances beyond their control, a Memorial Day program will not be held this year. The information was provided by Veteran Alliance Program Director Brenda Boyd.( Cover photo - Pixabay )

There will not be a Memorial Day program in Junction City

Dorothy Bramlage Public Library Director Susan Moyer has announced that the Library's Board of Trustees has a vacant seat and is soliciting candidates to recommend to the city commission to fill it. Service is limited to Geary County residents.&nbsp;

Board members can serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.&nbsp;&nbsp;Library board meetings are held on the second Monday of most months at 5:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.&nbsp;&nbsp;The board does not typically meet in August.&nbsp;

For more information and to express their interest in serving on the board, community members are welcome to contact Library Director Susan Moyer at 785-238-4311 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:donnap@jclib.org">susanm@jclib.org</a>.

Dorothy Bramlage Public Library Director Susan Moyer has announced that the Library's Board of Trustees has a vacant seat and is soliciting candidates to recommend to the city commission to fill it. Service is limited to Geary County residents.&nbsp;Board members can serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.&nbsp;&nbsp;Library board meetings are held on the second Monday of most months at 5:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.&nbsp;&nbsp;The board does not typically meet in August.&nbsp;For more information and to express their interest in serving on the board, community members are welcome to contact Library Director Susan Moyer at 785-238-4311 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:donnap@jclib.org">susanm@jclib.org</a>.

Opening on the Library Board

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8_QapUV_xYo?si=MR_64btnWHxJsyzR" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall.

🎤Forward Ever: U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall

The annual Run for the Wall event is this weekend in Junction City.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is year 34 of official rides for Run for the Wall, and they have made an annual stop in Junction City for over 20 years.&nbsp;

Bonnie Templeton, Assistant Director of the Junction City Committee for Run for the Wall, said more than 300 riders&nbsp;are expected&nbsp;on Sunday evening and that over 300 flags will be handed out. "We anticipate the riders to arrive between 5:30 and 5:45 on Sunday afternoon," Templeton said. "We would like everyone to be in Heritage Park no later than 5:00 p.m. to pick up flags."&nbsp;

The riders will come off I-70 and make their way down Washington, where there will then be a ceremony in Heritage Park.&nbsp;68th District House of Representative Nate Butler will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.&nbsp;

Following the ceremony and event,&nbsp;the riders will be provided&nbsp;with dinner at the Eagles, and on Monday morning, before departure, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will provide a breakfast.&nbsp;

By Anthony GorgesJC PostThe annual Run for the Wall event is this weekend in Junction City.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is year 34 of official rides for Run for the Wall, and they have made an annual stop in Junction City for over 20 years.&nbsp;Bonnie Templeton, Assistant Director of the Junction City Committee for Run for the Wall, said more than 300 riders&nbsp;are expected&nbsp;on Sunday evening and that over 300 flags will be handed out. "We anticipate the riders to arrive between 5:30 and 5:45 on Sunday afternoon," Templeton said. "We would like everyone to be in Heritage Park no later than 5:00 p.m. to pick up flags."&nbsp;The riders will come off I-70 and make their way down Washington, where there will then be a ceremony in Heritage Park.&nbsp;68th District House of Representative Nate Butler will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.&nbsp;Following the ceremony and event,&nbsp;the riders will be provided&nbsp;with dinner at the Eagles, and on Monday morning, before departure, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will provide a breakfast.&nbsp;

Run for the Wall is this Sunday in Junction City

Friday is the final day to register for the Military Affairs Council Breakfast on May 23rd in Junction City. The event will be held at the Geary County Convention Center. Doors open at 7 a.m. with the breakfast running 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Register online at www.jcacc.org/mac breakfast or mac@jcacc.org by 4 p.m. Friday.

The speakers will be Rick Dykstra, Geary County Outdoors and Matthew Enoch, Fort Riley Community Recreation Division Chief.

Friday is the final day to register for the Military Affairs Council Breakfast on May 23rd in Junction City. The event will be held at the Geary County Convention Center. Doors open at 7 a.m. with the breakfast running 7:30 to 9 a.m.Register online at www.jcacc.org/mac breakfast or mac@jcacc.org by 4 p.m. Friday.The speakers will be Rick Dykstra, Geary County Outdoors and Matthew Enoch, Fort Riley Community Recreation Division Chief.

Sign up for the MAC Breakfast

Junction City, KANSAS - Kansans have always answered the call to defend the freedoms of Americans. A memorial honoring the 83 men and women from Kansas who died while doing so in Iraq and Afghanistan will be unveiled in a ceremony in Heritage Park on Sunday, May 19&nbsp;at&nbsp;3:00 p.m.

The memorial&nbsp;is dedicated&nbsp;to those who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginning of the Gulf War. Each name&nbsp;is inscribed&nbsp;on the monument. Please join us&nbsp;for the dedication of&nbsp;this piece of Kansas history at Heritage Park, 101 W. 6th Street in Junction City.

This memorial was paid for and erected through hard work, dedication, and donations from many. Many&nbsp;of the&nbsp;volunteers will be in attendance and can speak about their personal stories and why this memorial means so much to them.

The ceremony is open to the public.&nbsp;

Press Release--Junction City, KANSAS - Kansans have always answered the call to defend the freedoms of Americans. A memorial honoring the 83 men and women from Kansas who died while doing so in Iraq and Afghanistan will be unveiled in a ceremony in Heritage Park on Sunday, May 19&nbsp;at&nbsp;3:00 p.m.The memorial&nbsp;is dedicated&nbsp;to those who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginning of the Gulf War. Each name&nbsp;is inscribed&nbsp;on the monument. Please join us&nbsp;for the dedication of&nbsp;this piece of Kansas history at Heritage Park, 101 W. 6th Street in Junction City.This memorial was paid for and erected through hard work, dedication, and donations from many. Many&nbsp;of the&nbsp;volunteers will be in attendance and can speak about their personal stories and why this memorial means so much to them.The ceremony is open to the public.&nbsp;

Memorial honoring 83 Kansans killed in Iraq, Afghanistan will be unveiled Sunday

The 2024 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas wrapped up on May 16. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. This year's tour hosted 70 people from 19 U.S. states in 18 vehicles while traveling across the state. Of those participants, 50 people had never been on the tour before.

The three-day average yield for the fields that were calculated was 46.5 bushels per acre. While an estimated 7.5 million acres of wheat were planted in the fall, the Kansas wheat crop varies in condition based on amount of moisture received. What Mother Nature has in store for the wheat crop still remains to be seen, but the tour captures a moment in time for the yield potential for fields across the state.

The official tour projection for total production of wheat to be harvested in Kansas is 290.4 million bushels. This number is the average of estimated predictions from tour participants who gathered information from 449 fields across the state. Based on May 1 conditions, NASS predicted the crop to be slightly lower at 267.9 million bushels, with a yield of 38 bushels per acre.

These fields are still two to four weeks from harvest. A lot can happen during that time to affect final yields and production.

Dr. Romulo Lollato, K-State Wheat and Forages Extension Specialist, reminded tour participants that the yield number is based on the potential that the crop has as of now, if things go well from now until harvest.

“It’s where we could get,” he said. If Kansas gets cool and wet weather during grain fill, it has the potential to reach that yield. However, there are still many things that could go wrong before that wheat makes it into the bin. He said he believes the 46.5 yield is on the high end.

“Variability is the name of the game this year,” Lollato said, recapping what tour participants saw this year: freeze damage, drought stress and stripe rust coming on after it was too late to spray fungicide.

The tour is sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council, which is a coordinated effort by breeders, producers and processors to improve wheat and flour quality. Dave Green, executive director of the WQC, said there are several goals of the tour. The first is for participants to make connections within the wheat industry. Another is to “describe the wheat as well as we can at the current point in time, not knowing what will happen over the next few weeks.” A third goal is to highlight the agriculture industry.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655426692793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHA BOSWELL Kansas WheatThe 2024 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas wrapped up on May 16. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. This year's tour hosted 70 people from 19 U.S. states in 18 vehicles while traveling across the state. Of those participants, 50 people had never been on the tour before.The three-day average yield for the fields that were calculated was 46.5 bushels per acre. While an estimated 7.5 million acres of wheat were planted in the fall, the Kansas wheat crop varies in condition based on amount of moisture received. What Mother Nature has in store for the wheat crop still remains to be seen, but the tour captures a moment in time for the yield potential for fields across the state.The official tour projection for total production of wheat to be harvested in Kansas is 290.4 million bushels. This number is the average of estimated predictions from tour participants who gathered information from 449 fields across the state. Based on May 1 conditions, NASS predicted the crop to be slightly lower at 267.9 million bushels, with a yield of 38 bushels per acre.These fields are still two to four weeks from harvest. A lot can happen during that time to affect final yields and production.Dr. Romulo Lollato, K-State Wheat and Forages Extension Specialist, reminded tour participants that the yield number is based on the potential that the crop has as of now, if things go well from now until harvest.“It’s where we could get,” he said. If Kansas gets cool and wet weather during grain fill, it has the potential to reach that yield. However, there are still many things that could go wrong before that wheat makes it into the bin. He said he believes the 46.5 yield is on the high end.“Variability is the name of the game this year,” Lollato said, recapping what tour participants saw this year: freeze damage, drought stress and stripe rust coming on after it was too late to spray fungicide.The tour is sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council, which is a coordinated effort by breeders, producers and processors to improve wheat and flour quality. Dave Green, executive director of the WQC, said there are several goals of the tour. The first is for participants to make connections within the wheat industry. Another is to “describe the wheat as well as we can at the current point in time, not knowing what will happen over the next few weeks.” A third goal is to highlight the agriculture industry.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Wheat Tour 2024, Day 3 Final Report

The new concession building in the beer garden at Rathert Field was unveiled Thursday evening. Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska noted it is Phase I of a two-phase project. 

He confirmed the second phase to be completed next year includes an awning on the field side of the concession building, repairs to an existing deck, a separate new deck and a new fence around the baseball field.

The Brigade open their 2024 season on May 30 at the Topeka War Hawks. The home opener against the War Hawks at Rathert Field will be on May 31.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715904026300.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostThe new concession building in the beer garden at Rathert Field was unveiled Thursday evening. Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska noted it is Phase I of a two-phase project. He confirmed the second phase to be completed next year includes an awning on the field side of the concession building, repairs to an existing deck, a separate new deck and a new fence around the baseball field.The Brigade open their 2024 season on May 30 at the Topeka War Hawks. The home opener against the War Hawks at Rathert Field will be on May 31.

New concession building at Rathert Field

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/">Harvest Public Media</a> By Grant Winterer

Planting is well underway across the Midwest, but farmers are still grappling with dry conditions that led to lower than normal corn yields last fall. It’s the third year of a near historic drought for parts of the Corn Belt.

Mark Mueller’s farm in Bremer County, Iowa, sat within a pocket of extreme drought in the northeast part of the state until a rainy April lifted the area into severe drought.

The fourth generation farmer says last year’s crop was below expectations, and even with recent rains, they're still behind.

Mueller typically plants two-thirds corn and one-third soybeans across his fields. This year, because of the drought, he’s scaling back his corn crop and splitting it closer to 50-50 ratio with his soybeans.

“It’s not quite Corn Belt-wide like it was during the Dust Bowl days,” he says, “but it could also develop into a Dust Bowl-type thing. All it has to do is quit raining tomorrow, and we’ll be dry within a month.”

Planting is well underway across the Midwest and Great Plains, and farmers in several regions are making similar adjustments, as much of the Corn Belt enters a third year of drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows significant areas of Kansas and Iowa are in severe drought, while portions of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin are also affected.

Dennis Todey, director of the USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub, said the area’s been parched for a historically long time.

“We would probably have to go back to some period in the 1950s or even some in the 1930s to compare with what we’ve seen in the way of longevity and precipitation deficit we’re dealing with,” he said.

The dry conditions have extended from Todey’s home base in Ames, Iowa, to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to as far south as the Ozarks, with a few wet pockets further east in Illinois and Indiana.

Todey says with less precipitation over the past few years, groundwater for corn could be a problem this season, as well.

“Because of the lack of rainfall over a longer period, deeper soil moisture profiles are dry,” he says. “Groundwater is being limited in some areas.”

In Wisconsin, officials said resilient groundwater reservoirs helped bring in better than expected yield last fall, despite dry conditions. But Sam Bibby, a crop educator with the University of Wisconsin Extension, said they can’t rely on that this year.

“If we ended up in a situation like we did last year during the summer, it would certainly be a lot worse than last year just because we are lower on that subsoil moisture,” he said.

The dry conditions are having impacts on livestock producers, as well.

In southeast Missouri, first-generation rancher August Horstmann says they weren’t able to raise their own hay, because of the dry weather. That led him to a tough decision.

“We were buying $108 hay,” he said. “You can only buy so much of that to get by, so we actually destocked 50% of our cow herd last year.”

To lower his feed costs, Horstmann is currently converting entire grazing fields back to native grasses to help keep subsoil moisture and his livestock’s food sources stable. He said so far it’s been a huge success.

“Our planted cover crops haven’t done very well at all,” Horstmann said. “But the native grasses – the old prairies that were here – performed really well in the drought we’ve had.”

Those changes helped Horstmann feel more confident, despite the dry conditions, and he recently bought 80 head of cattle.

“It looks like this is going to be one of our better grazing seasons, and it’s still very dry,” he said.

But in Iowa, where it’s been even drier, state extension field agronomist Terry Basol says they’ll be even more dependent on rainfall this year as the soil has mostly dried out.

And he said there’s a lot of catching up to do.

“Our 30-year average is roughly 30 inches of rain,” he said, “and last year, that total was 13-point-8.”

Despite 4 inches of rain in April, this year’s totals are still about 3 inches short of that. Basol’s concerned about conditions but trusts in the ingenuity of regional producers to make it through the dry spell.

“You have to have some hope, sometimes I call it faith, to get everybody through,” he said. “Growers are resilient, they’ll make it through.”

This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/">Harvest Public Media</a> By Grant Winterer<h2>Planting is well underway across the Midwest, but farmers are still grappling with dry conditions that led to lower than normal corn yields last fall. It’s the third year of a near historic drought for parts of the Corn Belt.</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715888165005.png" alt="Mark Mueller looks over a field he’s set aside to return to native wetland in order to better conserve and filter water. The fourth-generation farmer in Bremer County, Iowa, is dealing with dry conditions for a third year.&nbsp;Grant Winterer/Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>Mark Mueller looks over a field he’s set aside to return to native wetland in order to better conserve and filter water. The fourth-generation farmer in Bremer County, Iowa, is dealing with dry conditions for a third year.&nbsp;Grant Winterer/Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>Mark Mueller’s farm in Bremer County, Iowa, sat within a pocket of extreme drought in the northeast part of the state until a rainy April lifted the area into severe drought.The fourth generation farmer says last year’s crop was below expectations, and even with recent rains, they're still behind.Mueller typically plants two-thirds corn and one-third soybeans across his fields. This year, because of the drought, he’s scaling back his corn crop and splitting it closer to 50-50 ratio with his soybeans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715888427753.png" alt="Mark Mueller stands in front of one of his tractors. A district director at the Iowa Corn Growers Association, he's planning to plant less corn this year because of the drought.&nbsp;Grant Winterer/Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>Mark Mueller stands in front of one of his tractors. A district director at the Iowa Corn Growers Association, he's planning to plant less corn this year because of the drought.&nbsp;Grant Winterer/Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s not quite Corn Belt-wide like it was during the Dust Bowl days,” he says, “but it could also develop into a Dust Bowl-type thing. All it has to do is quit raining tomorrow, and we’ll be dry within a month.”Planting is well underway across the Midwest and Great Plains, and farmers in several regions are making similar adjustments, as much of the Corn Belt enters a third year of drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows significant areas of Kansas and Iowa are in severe drought, while portions of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin are also affected.Dennis Todey, director of the USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub, said the area’s been parched for a historically long time.“We would probably have to go back to some period in the 1950s or even some in the 1930s to compare with what we’ve seen in the way of longevity and precipitation deficit we’re dealing with,” he said.The dry conditions have extended from Todey’s home base in Ames, Iowa, to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to as far south as the Ozarks, with a few wet pockets further east in Illinois and Indiana.Todey says with less precipitation over the past few years, groundwater for corn could be a problem this season, as well.“Because of the lack of rainfall over a longer period, deeper soil moisture profiles are dry,” he says. “Groundwater is being limited in some areas.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715888535322.png" alt="U.S. drought map as of May 7" />
 <figcaption>U.S. drought map as of May 7</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715888596985.png" alt="The Kansas drought map with Ellis County highlighted as released Thursday. As of this morning Hays was about 3 inches below average precipitation year to date." />
 <figcaption>The Kansas drought map with Ellis County highlighted as released Thursday. As of this morning Hays was about 3 inches below average precipitation year to date.</figcaption>
 </figure>In Wisconsin, officials said resilient groundwater reservoirs helped bring in better than expected yield last fall, despite dry conditions. But Sam Bibby, a crop educator with the University of Wisconsin Extension, said they can’t rely on that this year.“If we ended up in a situation like we did last year during the summer, it would certainly be a lot worse than last year just because we are lower on that subsoil moisture,” he said.The dry conditions are having impacts on livestock producers, as well.In southeast Missouri, first-generation rancher August Horstmann says they weren’t able to raise their own hay, because of the dry weather. That led him to a tough decision.“We were buying $108 hay,” he said. “You can only buy so much of that to get by, so we actually destocked 50% of our cow herd last year.”To lower his feed costs, Horstmann is currently converting entire grazing fields back to native grasses to help keep subsoil moisture and his livestock’s food sources stable. He said so far it’s been a huge success.“Our planted cover crops haven’t done very well at all,” Horstmann said. “But the native grasses – the old prairies that were here – performed really well in the drought we’ve had.”Those changes helped Horstmann feel more confident, despite the dry conditions, and he recently bought 80 head of cattle.“It looks like this is going to be one of our better grazing seasons, and it’s still very dry,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715888277973.png" alt="Cattle graze on August Horstmann's southeast Missouri farm. He sold off half of his herd when he was unable to grow hay due to drought conditions. But Horstmann is now raising native grasses and recently bought 80 head of cattle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided By August Horstmann" />
 <figcaption>Cattle graze on August Horstmann's southeast Missouri farm. He sold off half of his herd when he was unable to grow hay due to drought conditions. But Horstmann is now raising native grasses and recently bought 80 head of cattle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided By August Horstmann</figcaption>
 </figure>But in Iowa, where it’s been even drier, state extension field agronomist Terry Basol says they’ll be even more dependent on rainfall this year as the soil has mostly dried out.And he said there’s a lot of catching up to do.“Our 30-year average is roughly 30 inches of rain,” he said, “and last year, that total was 13-point-8.”Despite 4 inches of rain in April, this year’s totals are still about 3 inches short of that. Basol’s concerned about conditions but trusts in the ingenuity of regional producers to make it through the dry spell.“You have to have some hope, sometimes I call it faith, to get everybody through,” he said. “Growers are resilient, they’ll make it through.”This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.

Drought lingers in parts of the Midwest: ‘You have to have some hope’

The splash pad will be opening at Milford State Park on Friday for the 2024 season. 

The State Park noted via social media that as a reminder, vehicle permits are required (and must be properly displayed in the windshield) for entry to the state park and can be purchased at the gatehouse, park office, or self-pay station.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The splash pad will be opening at Milford State Park on Friday for the 2024 season. The State Park noted via social media that as a reminder, vehicle permits are required (and must be properly displayed in the windshield) for entry to the state park and can be purchased at the gatehouse, park office, or self-pay station.&nbsp; &nbsp;( Cover photo - Pixabay )

Splash Pad is set to open at Milford State Park

The Junction City Military Affairs Council is hosting an Armed Forces Day celebration this Saturday, May 18, in Downtown Junction City. The location for the event is at the northeast corner of 9th and Washington, with the event running from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. There will be ceremonies and presentations from 9:30-11:30 a.m. with several guest speakers.&nbsp;

The featured guest speaker is Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Michael Grinston, who&nbsp;was previously stationed&nbsp;at Fort Riley.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Armed Forces Day celebration will feature a future Swear-In of Soldiers ceremony, recognizing First Infantry Division Soldiers and a donation of over 100,000 servings of protein from Smithfield Foods. It is a free event and open to everyone, as there will be bounce houses, foam cannons, and dunk tanks for the kids as well as food trucks and a Fort Riley vehicle display.&nbsp;

Isreal Waddell, the Director of the Military Affairs Council, is excited to see the community come together to celebrate Armed Forces Day. “My slogan is better together,” Waddell said. “Just to see all these hundreds, maybe even thousands of people come together for military and just thanking our current soldiers and veterans is what it’s all about.”&nbsp;

The Armed Forces Day Celebration will also run in collaboration with the Junction City Main Street Market on Saturday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715878030321.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Anthony Gorges JC PostThe Junction City Military Affairs Council is hosting an Armed Forces Day celebration this Saturday, May 18, in Downtown Junction City. The location for the event is at the northeast corner of 9th and Washington, with the event running from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. There will be ceremonies and presentations from 9:30-11:30 a.m. with several guest speakers.&nbsp;The featured guest speaker is Sergeant Major of the Army (Retired) Michael Grinston, who&nbsp;was previously stationed&nbsp;at Fort Riley.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Armed Forces Day celebration will feature a future Swear-In of Soldiers ceremony, recognizing First Infantry Division Soldiers and a donation of over 100,000 servings of protein from Smithfield Foods. It is a free event and open to everyone, as there will be bounce houses, foam cannons, and dunk tanks for the kids as well as food trucks and a Fort Riley vehicle display.&nbsp;Isreal Waddell, the Director of the Military Affairs Council, is excited to see the community come together to celebrate Armed Forces Day. “My slogan is better together,” Waddell said. “Just to see all these hundreds, maybe even thousands of people come together for military and just thanking our current soldiers and veterans is what it’s all about.”&nbsp;The Armed Forces Day Celebration will also run in collaboration with the Junction City Main Street Market on Saturday.&nbsp;

Armed Forces Day is this Saturday

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Carol Owen, Probation violation, arrested 05/15

Maxxie Clarke, Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without required device, arrested 05/16

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715874486408.jpeg" alt="Elizabeth Heaven, Parole violation, arrested 05/15" />
 <figcaption>Elizabeth Heaven, Parole violation, arrested 05/15</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715874560202.jpeg" alt="Megan Luck, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 05/15" />
 <figcaption>Megan Luck, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 05/15</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715874614652.jpeg" alt="Kendra Wyatt, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 05/15" />
 <figcaption>Kendra Wyatt, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 05/15</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715874771462.jpeg" alt="Casondra Johnson, Domestic battery, arrested 05/15" />
 <figcaption>Casondra Johnson, Domestic battery, arrested 05/15</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715874812993.jpeg" alt="Amanda Headlee, Driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked, Outside warrant, arrested 05/16" />
 <figcaption>Amanda Headlee, Driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked, Outside warrant, arrested 05/16</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715874864940.jpeg" alt="Vince Knackstedt, Driving while suspended, arrested 05/16" />
 <figcaption>Vince Knackstedt, Driving while suspended, arrested 05/16</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Carol Owen, Probation violation, arrested 05/15Maxxie Clarke, Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without required device, arrested 05/16Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Geary County Booking Photos May 16

Scholarships were presented to Junction City High School seniors Wednesday night. Here is a list.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY PTA SCHOLARSHIP ($300)

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY PTO SCHOLARSHIP ($250)

Brock Bazan, Scott Cary, Jayson Harris, Karley Kramer, Gavin Moore, Macie Muto &amp; Ava Oentrich

SHERIDAN ELEMENTARY PTO SCHOLARSHIP ($250)

Presented by Stephanie Kabriel, Principal

SPRING VALLEY ELEMENTARY BOOSTER CLUB SCHOLARSHIP ($300)

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF

Tessa Erickson, Lauren Heller, Isabel Huddleston, Joseph Knell, Stella Laureano-Mendez, Olivia Leach, Christian Meza, Katlyn Moehler, Leah Neterer, Sara Rexrode, Johnny Rushing, Creytin Sanner, Elaina Schmidt, Tatom Smith, Riley Taggartt, Mikynzie Tatro

Presented by Jason Curtis, FAHS Counselor

Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy Leader

DELTA SIGMA THETA, INC. GEARY RILEY SALINE ALUMNAE CHAPTER ($1000)

Presented by Anna Gregory and Angelica Woods

EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-BILL STRAUSS MEMORIAL

Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH Counselor

FARM BUREAU FFA AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND SCHOLARSHIP ($1250)

GAYLORD &amp; JOSEPHINE MUNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($500 each)

Kylie Innis, Karley Kramer &amp; Creytin Sanner

GAYLORD &amp; JOSEPHINE MUNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP,

GEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM FLINT HILLS PRESERVATION

GEARY COUNTY 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)

Karley Kramer, Macie Muto &amp; Ava Oentrich

GEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM PAUL B. AND CLARA B. GWIN

GEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM RALPH E. DIETRICH COLLEGE

GEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM RAY AND NELLIE SMITH 4-H

GRACE BRITT HORNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($500)

HATTIE B. THOMPSON-SLAUGHTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Presented by Leslie Davis, Family of Hattie B. Thompson-Slaughter

Armani Coleman, Karley Kramer, Grace Popovich &amp; Ohemaa Sarpong

IAFF LOCAL 3309, LUKE DAVID NELSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($750)

IAFF WOMEN’S AUXILIARY, JAMES A. TODD MEMORIAL

JACKSON ‘MIGHTY MOUSE” NOVEROSKE ANNUAL JCHS BOYS

Scholarships were presented to Junction City High School seniors Wednesday night. Here is a list.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;USD 475 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPSEISENHOWER ELEMENTARY PTA SCHOLARSHIP ($300)Presented by Amy Roether, PrincipalJordan HuntLINCOLN ELEMENTARY PTO SCHOLARSHIP ($250)Presented by Kathi Teeter, PrincipalBrock Bazan, Scott Cary, Jayson Harris, Karley Kramer, Gavin Moore, Macie Muto &amp; Ava OentrichSHERIDAN ELEMENTARY PTO SCHOLARSHIP ($250)Presented by Stephanie Kabriel, PrincipalSarah Chang &amp; Creytin SannerSPRING VALLEY ELEMENTARY BOOSTER CLUB SCHOLARSHIP ($300)Presented by Sierra Jackson, PrincipalLorna Rae Pierce &amp; David TrammellWASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OFFORMER PRINCIPAL LORRAINE WALKER ($250)Presented by Dixie Coleman, PrincipalIan QuiqleyWESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOLARSHIP ($250)Presented by Kim Dressman, PrincipalArmani ColemanJUNCTION CITY/GEARY COUNTYLOCAL SCHOLARSHIPSACADEMIC CELEBRATION SCHOLARSHIP ($250)Presented by Gennifer Booth, PrincipalTessa Erickson, Lauren Heller, Isabel Huddleston, Joseph Knell, Stella Laureano-Mendez, Olivia Leach, Christian Meza, Katlyn Moehler, Leah Neterer, Sara Rexrode, Johnny Rushing, Creytin Sanner, Elaina Schmidt, Tatom Smith, Riley Taggartt, Mikynzie TatroACADEMIC CELEBRATION SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Gennifer Booth, PrincipalMacie Muto &amp; Sebastian SchultzALPHA KAPPA ALPHA ($250)Presented by Rina NealArmani ColemanAMERICAN RED CROSS SCHOLARSHIP ($250)Presented by Jason Curtis, FAHS CounselorJayden McGuireCTE PATHWAY COMPLETER SCHOLARSHIP ($350)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderSebastian MarwahDELTA SIGMA THETA, INC. GEARY RILEY SALINE ALUMNAE CHAPTER ($1000)Presented by Anna Gregory and Angelica WoodsArmani Coleman &amp; Ohemaa SarpongDSO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderKarley KramerEMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH-BILL STRAUSS MEMORIALSCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorLincoln UphamFARM BUREAU FFA AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderAva OentrichFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND SCHOLARSHIP ($1250)Presented by Margaret KilpatrickAva OentrichFORD BUILT TOUGH SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderAva OentrichGAYLORD &amp; JOSEPHINE MUNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($500 each)Presented by Jason Curtis, FAHS CounselorKylie Innis, Karley Kramer &amp; Creytin SannerGAYLORD &amp; JOSEPHINE MUNSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP,IN MEMORY OF MARY GRAMMER ($500)Presented by Tina Nelson, BPSH CounselorIsabella Pond &amp; Creytin SannerGEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM FLINT HILLS PRESERVATIONCOALITION SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderAva OentrichGEARY COUNTY 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderKarley Kramer, Macie Muto &amp; Ava OentrichGEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM PAUL B. AND CLARA B. GWIN4-H SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderMacie MutoGEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM RALPH E. DIETRICH COLLEGESCHOLARSHIP ($2000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderAva OentrichGEARY COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM RAY AND NELLIE SMITH 4-HSCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Laura Miller, SEH Academy LeaderKarley Kramer &amp; Macie MutoGRACE BRITT HORNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorKarley KramerHATTIE B. THOMPSON-SLAUGHTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP($500 EACH)Presented by Leslie Davis, Family of Hattie B. Thompson-SlaughterArmani Coleman, Karley Kramer, Grace Popovich &amp; Ohemaa SarpongIAFF LOCAL 3309, LUKE DAVID NELSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($750)Presented by Gennifer Booth, PrincipalGriffin BohananIAFF WOMEN’S AUXILIARY, JAMES A. TODD MEMORIALSCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Gennifer Booth, PrincipalGriffin BohananJACKSON ‘MIGHTY MOUSE” NOVEROSKE ANNUAL JCHS BOYSSOCCER SCHOLARSHIP ($1500)Presented by Hede and Bill NoveroskeJayson HarrisJC YOUTH BOWLING LEAGUE ($260)Presented by Jason Curtis, FAHS CounselorLorna Rae PierceJUNCTION CITY ARTS COUNCIL FINE ARTS AWARD ($500)Presented by Doug Brown, Junction City Arts CouncilLorna Rae PierceJUNCTION CITY BREAKFAST OPTIMIST CLUB’S LAWRENCELONG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($600)Presented by Nita Miller, President, JC Breakfast Optimist ClubCharly GoodwinJCEA MEMBERS SCHOLARSHIP ($250)Presented by Dana Weigand, JCEA PresidentKarley KramerJUNCTION CITY LADIES READING CLUB ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Shelley Hoyle-KiteKarley Kramer &amp; Macie MutoJUNCTION CITY RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Dr. Ferrell MillerIan QuigleyJUNETEENTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Delilah Hamilton, Juneteenth Scholarship CommitteeArmani ColemanKAPPA KAPPA IOTA EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION ALPHAGAMMA-LOCAL CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP ($300)Presented by Beverly GreenwoodIan QuigleyLOUIS RAGO MEMORIAL FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Chris Bogenhagen, Athletic DirectorKeiondrae WilcoxNATIONAL AMERICAN MISS ($300)Presented by Jason Curtis FAHS CounselorLorna Rae PiercePHI XI CHAPTER, OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INS. SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Ron Atkinson, Scholarship ChairpersonArmani ColemanR2 B4 BRAMLAGE FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ($1500)Presented by Steve Green, SEH PrincipalBrock Bazan &amp; Creytin SannerRHINEHART-BEERHALTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Steve Green, SEH PrincipalDavid TrammellSHELTER INSURANCE COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP-MINDI HEISTERMAN, LLC ($2000)Presented by Mindi Heisterman, Agency OwnerKarley KramerSTAHL FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Tina Nelson, BPSH CounselorArmani ColemanTEQUITA BRYANT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($200)Presented by Kriscendra Baptiste, Sister of the HonoreeArmani ColemanTOP CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ($2500)Presented by Dr. Larry McGary, Scholarship ChairpersonCaleb MekuriaWILLIAMS CHILDREN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)In honor of our sister, the late Lorraine Williams Walker11/11/54-4/25/14, former Principal of Washington&nbsp;Elementary SchoolPresented by Steve Green, SEH PrincipalOhemaa SarpongGEARY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPSABM, BUILDING VALUE SCHOLARSHIP ($2000 each) for Junction City High School StudentsPresented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire, GCSFBoard Chairperson Margaret Kilpatrick &amp; GCSF Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerAva Oentrich &amp; Creytin SannerBETTY-GENE SHANDY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR THESTUDY OF MUSIC OR ART ($500)Presented by GCSF Executive Director, Margie Pinaire; GCSF &amp; Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerAyanna RixBETTY PATTERSON COLEMAN S.M.I.L.E. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP-SUPPORT, MOTIVATE &amp; IMPROVE LIVES EVERYDAY ($1500)Presented by Brian Coleman, Husband of Betty Patterson-ColemanArmani ColemanBLAINE RICHARD &amp; JUDY COLEEN WELLS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire, GCSFBoard Chairperson Margaret Kilpatrick &amp; GCSF Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerJoseph Knell &amp; Isabella PondBRICK SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire &amp; GCSFBoard Chairperson Margaret KilpatrickOhemaa SarpongCOACH BOB SCHMOEKEL SCHOLARSHIP ($1500)Presented by Tim Testa, JCHS Cross Country CoachLorna Rae PierceELDON &amp; BARBARA HOYLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by Melanie and Shelley Hoyle, Retired elementaryprincipals of USD 475, and daughters of the late Eldon &amp; Barbara HoyleArmani ColemanFINE ARTS &amp; HUMAN SERVICES ACADEMY POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP ($750)Presented by Ruth Stephenson, FAHS Principal and SamanthaBoxberger, FAHS Academy LeaderArmani ColemanGEARY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ($500 each)Presented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire, GCSFBoard Chairperson Margaret Kilpatrick &amp; GCSF Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerBrock Bazan, Armani Coleman, Ruth Easterling, Karley Kramer,Joseph Krupa, Macie Muto, Ava Oentrich, Creytin Sanner &amp; Ohemaa SarpongTHE GOOLDY FAMILY MEMORIAL BOWLING SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire &amp; GCSFBoard Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerAva OentrichJUNCTION CITY-GEARY COUNTY MILITARY AFFAIRS COUNCILJCHS MILITARY DEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIP, IN HONOR OF US ARMY CW3 (RET) PHYLLIS FITZGERALD AND SFC (RET) KEITH FITZGERALD ($500 each)Presented by Phyllis Fitzgerald, Honoree of ScholarshipJoseph Knell, Joseph Krupa &amp; Ohemaa SarpongKWK (KEVIN WAYNE KITCHENS) MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by GCSF Board GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire,GCSF Board Chairperson Margaret Kilpatrick &amp; GCSF Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerJoseph Knell, Gavin Moore, Macie Muto &amp; Isabella PondMKCV – Margaret Kilpatrick Community Volunteer Scholarship ($500 each)Presented by Karren Kilpatrick, daughter of Margaret KilpatrickArmani Coleman &amp; Ohemaa SarpongMARK ERVIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN MATH &amp; SCIENCEPresented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire, GCSF BoardChairperson Margaret Kilpatrick &amp; GCSF Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerMikynzie Tatro &amp; David TrammellROBERT &amp; MADELINE SHERRADEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire, GCSF BoardChairperson Margaret Kilpatrick &amp; GCSF Board Trustee Dr. Ferrell MillerBrock Bazan, Sarah Chang, Ruth Easterling &amp; Joseph KrupaROBERT J. (ROB) SMITH MEMORIAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by GCSF Executive Director Margie Pinaire &amp; GCSF BoardChairperson Margaret KilpatrickKarley KramerRUBY STEVENS SCHOLARSHIP ($1000 each)Presented by Ruby Stevens son, Ted StevensArmani Coleman &amp; Creytin SannerRUSSELL GASTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)Presented by GCSF Executive Director, Margie Pinaire &amp; GCSF BoardTrustee Dr. Ferrell MillerMacie MutoUSD 475 ART DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIP ($500)Presented by Jimmy Goheen, JCHS Art InstructorJavier GamezMILITARY AFFILIATED SCHOLARSHIPSCOMBINED SCHOLARSHIP OF GREATER FORT RILEY ($2500)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorKatelyn Atkins, Skylar Fisher, Leah Neterer, Tatom SmithCHAPTER 35 GRANT ($71,424)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorOlivia LeachCHAPTER 35 GRANT ($224,000)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorMartee MaleddaEOD WARRIOR FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP ($1500)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorSkylar FisherKANSAS HERO’S SCHOLARSHIP ($60,000)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorKatelyn Atkins, Skylar Fisher, Kylie Innis, Ayanna RixMILITARY IMPACTED SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION ($2000)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorLeah NetererPost 9-11 GI BILL ($293,996)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorAidan HarrisPost 9-11 GI BILL ($44,440)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounseloNoel CastilloPost 9-11 GI BILL ($31,880)Presented by Alicia Goheen, SEH CounselorLorna Rae PierceSCHOOL RELATED SCHOLARSHIPSAtkins, Katelyn: Kansas State University Richard Mistler Foundation Family Scholarship ($1500) Limestone Award ($6000)Alford, RaShawn: Washburn University Top Hat Scholarship ($12,000), Band ($10,000)Allen, Tyler: Bethany College Football ($91,960)Autry, Losiah: Ottawa University Football ($72,000)Bazan, Brock: Kansas State University Royal Purple Scholarship ($20,000)Benitez, Eladio: Kansas State University Limestone Award ($6000)Boganowski, Michael: University of Oklahoma Football ($186,532)Bohanan, Griffin: Fort Hays State University Wrestling ($8000),Black and Gold Scholarship ($8000)Cary, Scott: Mid-America Nazarene University Football($44,000) Academic Scholarship ($40,000)Castillo, Noel: University of Kansas KU Opportunity &amp; JHWKAccess Grant ($2166), Rock Chalk ($8000) Kansas Comprehensive Grant ($2500)Chang, Sarah: University of Missouri @ Kansas City AcademicScholarship ($20,000) Roo Advantage Scholarship ($9100)Coleman, Armani: University of Kansas Chancellor Scholarship ($20,000)Collins, Jeremiah: Fort Hays State University Band ($12,000)Marching Band and Pep Stipend ($5400)Cooper, Christian: Alabama Agricultural &amp; Mechanical University Merit Scholarship ($75,000)Dowling, Daithon: Fort Hays State University Black &amp; Gold Scholarship ($8000)Easterling, Ruth: Brigham Young University Merit Scholarship ($25,216.00)Fisher, Bryson: Kansas State University Limestone Award ($6000)Fisher, Skylar: Kansas State University Limestone Award($6000) Clair M. &amp; Elouise A. Worthy Scholarship ($1500)Gonzalez, Gabriel: University of Kansas Rock Chalk Scholarship ($8,000)Hall, Evan: Fort Lewis College Biking Scholarship ($1200), Academic Scholarship ($32,000)Hammock, LuCasey: Fort Hays State University Tiger Pride Scholarship ($15,000) Choir ($5600)Harris, Jayson: Western Michigan Merit Scholarship ($28,000)Heller, Lauren: Barton County Community College Dance ($6000)Houser, Avery: University of Kansas Chancellor Merit Scholarship ($20,000)Huddleston, Isabel: Kansas State University Limestone Award ($6000) Agricultural School Commitment ($3000)Hull, Asmodeus: Kansas State University School of Music ($8000) Marching Band ($8000)Hunt, Jordan: University of Nebraska @ Kearney New Nebraskan Scholarship and Distinguished Scholar Award ($47,000)Jack, Danny: University of Kansas Traditions Scholarship ($16,000)Knell, Joseph: Syracuse University Academic Scholarship ($127,420)Kramer, Karley: University of Kansas Jayhawk Scholarship ($4000)Krupa, Joseph: University of Alaska, Fairbanks Nanook Pledge Scholarship ($20,000)Leach, Olivia: Kansas State University, Herbel Fellow Scholarship ($2000), Women in Business Scholarship ($1000)Leis, Alan: Wichita State University Presidental Merit Scholarship ($16,000)Maledda, Martee: Ohio State University Merit Scholarship ($54,000)Marwah, Sebastian: McPherson College Premier Scholar and Merit Award ($56,000)McCreath, Ryan: Mid-America Nazarene University Football ($88,000)Mekuria, Caleb: Kansas State University Royal Purple Award($20,000) Engineering Scholarship ($12,000), Electrical Engineering ($2,000)Miller, Shepard: University of Kansas Rock Chalk Scholarship ($8000)Mitchell, Stewart: McPherson College Basketball ($88,000)Moore, Gavin: Kansas State University Wildcat Traditions Scholarship ($10,000), Engineering School Commitment Scholarship ($4000)Muto, Macie: Kansas State University Wildcat Traditions Scholarship and Merit Award ($10,000)Neterer, Leah: Kansas State University Richard Mistler Foundation Family Scholarship Award ($1500)Oentrich, Ava: Kansas State University Limestone Award ($6000)O’Neal, Amyah: Westchester University-Academic ($20,000) Pierce, Lorna Rae&nbsp;Pittsburg State University Academic Achievement ($16,000), Athletic Scholarship ($8,000)Pond, Isabella: Kansas State University Scholar Award ($22,000)Puryear, Hayden: Mid-America Nazarene University Football ($140,000)Quigley, Ian: Fort Hays State University Music Scholarship ($8000)Raulston, Ty: Fort Hays State University Black &amp; Gold ($8,000), Cross Country/Track ($4,800)Rexrode, Sara: Mars Hill University Softball ($172,200)Riddle, Maygann: Washburn University Trombone ($20,000), Viola ($) &amp; Cello ($)Rix, Ayanna: Kansas State University Limestone Award ($6000)Ruffin, Tre’Vion: McPherson College Academic/Basketball ($96,000)Sarpong, Ohemaa: Brown University Scholarship ($257,108)Schmidt, Elaina: Kansas State University-Salina ($40,000) Spin-Wheel Scholarship ($500)Schultz, Sebastian: University of North Texas-Music ($97,200)Shaw, Maya: Washburn University Merit Scholarship ($12,000),Smith, Tatom: Fort Hays State University Academic Scholarship ($8,000), Band ($2400) FHSU Event ($100)Soto, Valentine: University at Albany UAlbany Scholarship ($40,000)Stanislow, Stephanie: Barton County Community College Dance ($6000)Taggart, Riley: Kansas State University Limestone Award ($6000), Violin Scholarship ($4000), 1863 Landmark Award ($4000)Thomas-McCormick, Isaiah: Full Sail University Creative Minds Scholarship ($20,000)Trammell, David: Kansas State University Scholar Award ($22,000) Engineering Scholarship ($12,000)Upham, Lincoln: Allen County Community College Baseball/Academic ($7600)Velez, Yazmin: University of Missouri @ Kansas City Academic ($20,000) Career Escalator Program ($6000) Viloria, Vivian:&nbsp; Kansas State University Wildcats Traditions Scholarship ($10,000)Wareman, Alexis: Barton Community College Bowling ($3000)Wilcox, Keiondrae: Kansas State University Wildcat Traditions Scholarship ($10,000)Willingham, Amy: Penn State Scholarships ($65,000)M,)

2024 JCHS Student Scholarship list

<a>Beginning Monday, May 20, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to close the westbound I-70 on ramp at exit 298/Chestnut Street for reconstruction in addition to the following ramp closures:</a>

The contractor has scheduled the on ramp at westbound exit 298 to reopen in early July, at which time the on ramp at westbound exit 296 will close and remain closed until November while&nbsp;KDOT&nbsp;and Junction City replace pavement on the Washington Street roundabout.

Traffic on westbound I-70 is reduced to one lane in each direction from just east of mile marker 295 to just east of mile marker 299. Traffic on eastbound I-70 is reduced to one lane in each direction from just west of mile marker 295 to just east of mile marker 299 as median crossovers carry one lane of westbound traffic through construction on the eastbound lanes.

Phase Two is scheduled to be completed in November. Phase Three is scheduled to begin in March 2025 and will replace deteriorated pavement in the eastbound lanes. All project phases are to be completed by December 2025, weather permitting. Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. and Subsidiaries, of Wichita, is the prime contractor of this $30 million project

By Ashley Perez - KDOT<a>Beginning Monday, May 20, weather permitting, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to close the westbound I-70 on ramp at exit 298/Chestnut Street for reconstruction in addition to the following ramp closures:</a><ul>
 <li>Westbound exit 299 on ramp is scheduled to remain closed until November.</li><li>Westbound exit 298 off ramp is scheduled to remain closed until November.</li><li>Westbound exit 296 off ramp is scheduled to remain closed until November.</li>
 </ul>The contractor has scheduled the on ramp at westbound exit 298 to reopen in early July, at which time the on ramp at westbound exit 296 will close and remain closed until November while&nbsp;KDOT&nbsp;and Junction City replace pavement on the Washington Street roundabout.Traffic on westbound I-70 is reduced to one lane in each direction from just east of mile marker 295 to just east of mile marker 299. Traffic on eastbound I-70 is reduced to one lane in each direction from just west of mile marker 295 to just east of mile marker 299 as median crossovers carry one lane of westbound traffic through construction on the eastbound lanes.Phase Two is scheduled to be completed in November. Phase Three is scheduled to begin in March 2025 and will replace deteriorated pavement in the eastbound lanes. All project phases are to be completed by December 2025, weather permitting. Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. and Subsidiaries, of Wichita, is the prime contractor of this $30 million project( Cover photo - Pixabay )

Westbound I-70 on ramp to close in Junction City

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Wednesday in Riley County.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity reported a Jeep hydroplaned&nbsp;at mile marker &nbsp;185 on Fort Riley Blvd and struck a guardrail. EMS transported the driver to Via Christi with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Wednesday in Riley County.According to the Riley County Police Department activity reported a Jeep hydroplaned&nbsp;at mile marker &nbsp;185 on Fort Riley Blvd and struck a guardrail. EMS transported the driver to Via Christi with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

Driver hospitalized after Jeep hydroplaned, struck guardrail

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall, M.D. has a simple theme for what he wants most out of the farm bill that is working its way through the legislative process.

"Crop insurance, crop insurance and crop insurance," Marshall said. "Crop insurance is the backbone of every farm bill. What crop insurance does is allow that farmer who got hailed out last week, to be able to plant next year's crop. They don't make any money off of it, but at least they can plant next year's crop."

Marshall understands that the farm bill has always been a nutrition bill, all he's asking for is help for the farmers that get the food to the market, considerably less than that being proposed for nutrition programs.

"What we've asked for, very specifically, is about a $400 million increase in funding for crop insurance per year," Marshall said. "On the other side of the aisle, we've given the Democrats at least a $60 billion hike in the food stamp program. We gave them $60 billion to help with food stamps, we're asking for $400 million and they are unwilling to give it. To me, it's about priorities."

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/758f6121-57e2-4310-9f1a-1bac7a6df3c9">It looks like the House side may be the first to the line with finished and marked up language</a> and Marshall is looking forward to seeing what comes across.

"I actually think we want to wait and see what we get out of the House," Marshall said. "I think the House bill is going to be much more farmer friendly. If we end up waiting until we have a different person in the White House, or a Republican majority in the Senate, I think we're going to have a farm bill that's much friendlier to rural America."

The current farm bill extension ends Sept. 30, before the November election, but it could be extended again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628092856057.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall, M.D. has a simple theme for what he wants most out of the farm bill that is working its way through the legislative process."Crop insurance, crop insurance and crop insurance," Marshall said. "Crop insurance is the backbone of every farm bill. What crop insurance does is allow that farmer who got hailed out last week, to be able to plant next year's crop. They don't make any money off of it, but at least they can plant next year's crop."Marshall understands that the farm bill has always been a nutrition bill, all he's asking for is help for the farmers that get the food to the market, considerably less than that being proposed for nutrition programs."What we've asked for, very specifically, is about a $400 million increase in funding for crop insurance per year," Marshall said. "On the other side of the aisle, we've given the Democrats at least a $60 billion hike in the food stamp program. We gave them $60 billion to help with food stamps, we're asking for $400 million and they are unwilling to give it. To me, it's about priorities."<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/758f6121-57e2-4310-9f1a-1bac7a6df3c9">It looks like the House side may be the first to the line with finished and marked up language</a> and Marshall is looking forward to seeing what comes across."I actually think we want to wait and see what we get out of the House," Marshall said. "I think the House bill is going to be much more farmer friendly. If we end up waiting until we have a different person in the White House, or a Republican majority in the Senate, I think we're going to have a farm bill that's much friendlier to rural America."The current farm bill extension ends Sept. 30, before the November election, but it could be extended again.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Marshall: Crop insurance number must be stronger in new farm bill

The 2024 Senior Awards Ceremony at Junction City High School was on the agenda Wednesday night. According to USD 475, overall, JCHS seniors earned $3.7 million dollars in scholarships.&nbsp; &nbsp;

USD 475 releaseThe 2024 Senior Awards Ceremony at Junction City High School was on the agenda Wednesday night. According to USD 475, overall, JCHS seniors earned $3.7 million dollars in scholarships.&nbsp; &nbsp;( Photos by USD 475 )<figure>
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JCHS student scholarship total runs into the millions 

On Wednesday, 69 people on the Wheat Quality Council’s 2024 winter wheat tour made their way from Colby to Wichita, Kansas, stopping in wheat fields along six different routes.

Wednesday’s wheat tour scouts made 216 stops at wheat fields across western, central and southern Kansas, and into northern counties in Oklahoma.

The calculated yield from all cars was 42.4 bushels per acre. Scouts were able to use the late season formula provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, which includes counting wheat heads, number of spikelets and kernels per spikelet. The yield formula doesn’t take disease, pests or weed pressure into consideration.

Romulo Lollato said the theme of the day was variability, even within fields. Groups saw a lot of drought stress and freeze damage, with some fields already being destroyed. Not as much stripe rust or Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus were observed on Wednesday, compared to Tuesday, likely due to drought conditions.

Farmers in the area reported that combines will probably start rolling by June 1 in south central Kansas, about seven to ten days earlier than average. There wasn’t as much fungicide applied in the southern areas of Kansas because the stripe rust started coming on in a later growth stage.

“This year is a testament to the wheat breeders and researchers and the work they’ve done,” said Derek Sawyer, who farms near McPherson. “This year, everything has been stressed across the state, but we’re still looking at a decent crop.”

Dennis Schoenhals from Oklahoma Wheat Commission reported that the state’s production was estimated at 96.2 million bushels this year, up from 68.6 million bushels last year, according to USDA’s NASS. USDA/NASS estimates the Oklahoma crop will yield 37 bushels per acre, compared with 28 last year. Harvested acres are estimated at 2.6 million acres. A tour of agronomists and others in the industry estimated the production slightly lower than the NASS estimate, at 89.3 million bushels and a yield of 33 bushels per acre. He said the Oklahoma wheat crop had good moisture through the end of January, but then they had an 83 day flash drought, which took the top end of the crop. He said it has had good, cool grainfill weather.

Wheat Tour 24 continues Thursday with six routes between Wichita and Manhattan. Follow along with the tour at #wheattour24. A final production estimate will be announced Thursday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655426692793.jpeg" alt="Kansas Wheat Commission logo.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Wheat Commission logo.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHA BOSWELL Kansas WheatOn Wednesday, 69 people on the Wheat Quality Council’s 2024 winter wheat tour made their way from Colby to Wichita, Kansas, stopping in wheat fields along six different routes.Wednesday’s wheat tour scouts made 216 stops at wheat fields across western, central and southern Kansas, and into northern counties in Oklahoma.The calculated yield from all cars was 42.4 bushels per acre. Scouts were able to use the late season formula provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, which includes counting wheat heads, number of spikelets and kernels per spikelet. The yield formula doesn’t take disease, pests or weed pressure into consideration.Romulo Lollato said the theme of the day was variability, even within fields. Groups saw a lot of drought stress and freeze damage, with some fields already being destroyed. Not as much stripe rust or Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus were observed on Wednesday, compared to Tuesday, likely due to drought conditions.Farmers in the area reported that combines will probably start rolling by June 1 in south central Kansas, about seven to ten days earlier than average. There wasn’t as much fungicide applied in the southern areas of Kansas because the stripe rust started coming on in a later growth stage.“This year is a testament to the wheat breeders and researchers and the work they’ve done,” said Derek Sawyer, who farms near McPherson. “This year, everything has been stressed across the state, but we’re still looking at a decent crop.”Dennis Schoenhals from Oklahoma Wheat Commission reported that the state’s production was estimated at 96.2 million bushels this year, up from 68.6 million bushels last year, according to USDA’s NASS. USDA/NASS estimates the Oklahoma crop will yield 37 bushels per acre, compared with 28 last year. Harvested acres are estimated at 2.6 million acres. A tour of agronomists and others in the industry estimated the production slightly lower than the NASS estimate, at 89.3 million bushels and a yield of 33 bushels per acre. He said the Oklahoma wheat crop had good moisture through the end of January, but then they had an 83 day flash drought, which took the top end of the crop. He said it has had good, cool grainfill weather.Wheat Tour 24 continues Thursday with six routes between Wichita and Manhattan. Follow along with the tour at #wheattour24. A final production estimate will be announced Thursday afternoon.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Wheat Tour 2024, Day 2

Fresh Start Emergency Shelter officials appeared before the Geary County Commission this week to request emergency funding help for the next five months&nbsp; at approximately $15,000 per month. Commissioners will meet with their&nbsp; finance director to talk about this issue but the challenge for the County is that they only budgeted $12,000 for this entire&nbsp; year and the funding request would be in addition to that amount.

There will be a review to determine if the county may provide more help, but no final decision has been made by the governing body.

Fresh Start is seeking a separate emergency services grant but won't know if it will be funded until July, and if received the money could not arrive until October. Sixty percent of that grant could be used to help fund operations and the remainder for purposes such as helping with rental arrears and security deposits.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostFresh Start Emergency Shelter officials appeared before the Geary County Commission this week to request emergency funding help for the next five months&nbsp; at approximately $15,000 per month. Commissioners will meet with their&nbsp; finance director to talk about this issue but the challenge for the County is that they only budgeted $12,000 for this entire&nbsp; year and the funding request would be in addition to that amount.There will be a review to determine if the county may provide more help, but no final decision has been made by the governing body.Fresh Start is seeking a separate emergency services grant but won't know if it will be funded until July, and if received the money could not arrive until October. Sixty percent of that grant could be used to help fund operations and the remainder for purposes such as helping with rental arrears and security deposits.

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