The Junction City Rotary Club and the Junction City Fraternal Order of the Eagles have combined to make a donation of $1,000 towards the Junction City Police Department's goal of implementing a co-responder program.

Police said for those unfamiliar, a co-responder program pairs police officers with mental health professionals. This collaborative approach ensures that individuals experiencing mental health crises receive immediate, appropriate care and support, while also addressing safety concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police thanked both the Rotary club and the Eagles for their donation.

The Junction City Rotary Club and the Junction City Fraternal Order of the Eagles have combined to make a donation of $1,000 towards the Junction City Police Department's goal of implementing a co-responder program.Police said for those unfamiliar, a co-responder program pairs police officers with mental health professionals. This collaborative approach ensures that individuals experiencing mental health crises receive immediate, appropriate care and support, while also addressing safety concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police thanked both the Rotary club and the Eagles for their donation.

JCPD receives a donation for a co-responder program

&nbsp; Junction City Commissioners will consider&nbsp;&nbsp;awarding a bid for construction of a concessions building at Rathert Field to DM Construction and Remodeling when they meet Tuesday evening at 701 North Jefferson. The bid totals $117,370.01.&nbsp;

According to Junction City Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska the plans call for the building to be located in the right field beer garden adjacent to a storage shed in that area. The building must match the material look and structure and attach to the existing shed. The project must be completed by May 15th.

In the beer garden Aska noted that the upper seating level will remain but there will also be seating on the lower level. The bar used in the past will be torn down in favor of the concessions building. The beer garden name will continue for that area along the right field side of the stadium.

The Junction City Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

&nbsp; Junction City Commissioners will consider&nbsp;&nbsp;awarding a bid for construction of a concessions building at Rathert Field to DM Construction and Remodeling when they meet Tuesday evening at 701 North Jefferson. The bid totals $117,370.01.&nbsp;According to Junction City Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska the plans call for the building to be located in the right field beer garden adjacent to a storage shed in that area. The building must match the material look and structure and attach to the existing shed. The project must be completed by May 15th.In the beer garden Aska noted that the upper seating level will remain but there will also be seating on the lower level. The bar used in the past will be torn down in favor of the concessions building. The beer garden name will continue for that area along the right field side of the stadium.The Junction City Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Rathert Field concessions improvement is planned

The Geary County Commission have the agenda for their Monday meeting, scheduled from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the County office Building.

Agenda items include the Commission Review and Update, plus reports from HR Director Crystal Malchose, Public Works Administrator Corey Trumpp, and a meeting with Interim Health Department Director Charles Martinez.

The commission will consider approval of Thunderbird Marina &amp; RV Park cereal malt beverage licenses. There will be bid openings for chemicals to control noxious weeds, and for Cloud County Community College mowing.

Crystal Malchose, Human Resource Director, Weekly Update

The Geary County Commission have the agenda for their Monday meeting, scheduled from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the County office Building.Agenda items include the Commission Review and Update, plus reports from HR Director Crystal Malchose, Public Works Administrator Corey Trumpp, and a meeting with Interim Health Department Director Charles Martinez.The commission will consider approval of Thunderbird Marina &amp; RV Park cereal malt beverage licenses. There will be bid openings for chemicals to control noxious weeds, and for Cloud County Community College mowing.Crystal Malchose, Human Resource Director, Weekly Update

County Commission agenda for Monday

The Geary County Convention &amp; Visitor's Bureau has awarded a series of community support and marketing&nbsp; grants,

They include $5,000 for the Junction City Brigade, Freedom Fest, the Black History Trail and the Main Street organization.

There have been awards of $2,000 to Run for the Wall and Oktoberfest.

The Geary County Convention &amp; Visitor's Bureau has awarded a series of community support and marketing&nbsp; grants,They include $5,000 for the Junction City Brigade, Freedom Fest, the Black History Trail and the Main Street organization.There have been awards of $2,000 to Run for the Wall and Oktoberfest.

CVB makes grant awards

<a>&nbsp;Residents affected by recent severe weather in Geary and Riley County should contact the Kansas Department of Insurance if they have an issue with an insurance claim, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said today. The Department has been in contact with local authorities in Geary and Riley and urges residents affected by the storm to contact the Department if they need assistance.&nbsp;</a>

“Severe weather in Kansas often means storm damage and insurance claims,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “If you have any questions about your insurance coverage after the storm or have an issue with an insurance claim in the coming weeks, please contact the Department.”&nbsp;

If you or someone you know is having trouble with an insurance claim, please contact the Kansas Department of Insurance’s Consumer Assistance Division toll-free at 1-800-432-2484, by email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kdoi.complaints@ks,gov">kdoi.complaints@ks,gov</a>&nbsp;or visit the Department online at&nbsp;<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">insurance.kansas.gov</a>&nbsp;for any claims-related questions or concerns.&nbsp;

Public Affairs Manager,&nbsp;Government &amp; Public Affairs

<a>&nbsp;Residents affected by recent severe weather in Geary and Riley County should contact the Kansas Department of Insurance if they have an issue with an insurance claim, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said today. The Department has been in contact with local authorities in Geary and Riley and urges residents affected by the storm to contact the Department if they need assistance.&nbsp;</a>“Severe weather in Kansas often means storm damage and insurance claims,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “If you have any questions about your insurance coverage after the storm or have an issue with an insurance claim in the coming weeks, please contact the Department.”&nbsp;If you or someone you know is having trouble with an insurance claim, please contact the Kansas Department of Insurance’s Consumer Assistance Division toll-free at 1-800-432-2484, by email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kdoi.complaints@ks,gov">kdoi.complaints@ks,gov</a>&nbsp;or visit the Department online at&nbsp;<a href="https://insurance.kansas.gov/" target="_blank">insurance.kansas.gov</a>&nbsp;for any claims-related questions or concerns.&nbsp;Kyle StrathmanPublic Affairs Manager,&nbsp;Government &amp; Public AffairsKansas Department of Insurance

Residents impacted by severe weather can seek help

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN - The City of Manhattan is asking for help to find who damaged freshly poured concrete at the intersection of Browning and Dickens Avenues.

The freshly poured concrete was still curing when an unknown driver drove around barricades and through the concrete.

A pedestrian also walked through the concrete leaving footprints, damaging other sections of the concrete as well.

City workers will be tearing out these damaged areas of concrete before having it repoured.

The city hopes to have the intersection reopened early Monday morning, provided no additional damage occurs between now and then.

If you have any information related to this incident, please share it with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RileyCountyPD?__cft__[0]=AZUV2N1_f_uS1V3mGcpPJrB2tDxXQksCxVpzWx47UjaVusDak2wL5wkXb7m_VkbNJ3GmNVXMM8U_Fgc50V7-GlOZe6k5HM9ErMN2_tSRCycz0PHztZYbp-yIVNiK8PDBZdKUSeq1xDO15p20T8RqsdAXzHN6wqx6pdocskCOfLSQDs4uVyhLD5jmAD3CgKsGUyc&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">RileyCountyPD</a> at (785) 537-2112 to assist in their investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710520376904.jpeg" alt="Concrete damage photo city of Manhattan" />
 <figcaption>Concrete damage photo city of Manhattan</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - The City of Manhattan is asking for help to find who damaged freshly poured concrete at the intersection of Browning and Dickens Avenues.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3136.3335519016364!2d-96.6074815!3d39.1963917!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bdcdc77776cb4d%3A0x11877ba1c79eceea!2sBrowning%20Ave%20%26%20Dickens%20Ave%2C%20Manhattan%2C%20KS%2066502!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1710520860388!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>The freshly poured concrete was still curing when an unknown driver drove around barricades and through the concrete.A pedestrian also walked through the concrete leaving footprints, damaging other sections of the concrete as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710523221837.jpeg" alt="Concrete damage-photo city of Manhattan" />
 <figcaption>Concrete damage-photo city of Manhattan</figcaption>
 </figure>City workers will be tearing out these damaged areas of concrete before having it repoured.The city hopes to have the intersection reopened early Monday morning, provided no additional damage occurs between now and then.If you have any information related to this incident, please share it with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RileyCountyPD?__cft__[0]=AZUV2N1_f_uS1V3mGcpPJrB2tDxXQksCxVpzWx47UjaVusDak2wL5wkXb7m_VkbNJ3GmNVXMM8U_Fgc50V7-GlOZe6k5HM9ErMN2_tSRCycz0PHztZYbp-yIVNiK8PDBZdKUSeq1xDO15p20T8RqsdAXzHN6wqx6pdocskCOfLSQDs4uVyhLD5jmAD3CgKsGUyc&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">RileyCountyPD</a> at (785) 537-2112 to assist in their investigation.

Driver damages concrete, delays reopening of Manhattan intersection

Memories at the Museum will be held at the Geary County Historical Museum at 3:00pm Saturday, March 23rd.

Did you teach or work at a Geary County Elementary School? Come share your memories during our special school history series of Memories at the Museum announced by the Historical Society.

Memories at the Museum will be held at the Geary County Historical Museum at 3:00pm Saturday, March 23rd.Did you teach or work at a Geary County Elementary School? Come share your memories during our special school history series of Memories at the Museum announced by the Historical Society.

Memories at the Museum: Elementary Education

MANHATTAN — Iconic dance ensemble MOMIX brings its wonderland to Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2.Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton's newest creation, "Alice," inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland." The audience experiences a mind-bending adventure as Alice encounters time-honored characters, including the undulating caterpillar, a lobster quadrille, frenzied White Rabbits, a mad Queen of Hearts and a variety of other surprises.&nbsp;

Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours. Tickets for youth 17 and younger are half price for this show.

MANHATTAN — Iconic dance ensemble MOMIX brings its wonderland to Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2.Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton's newest creation, "Alice," inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland." The audience experiences a mind-bending adventure as Alice encounters time-honored characters, including the undulating caterpillar, a lobster quadrille, frenzied White Rabbits, a mad Queen of Hearts and a variety of other surprises.&nbsp;Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours. Tickets for youth 17 and younger are half price for this show.Division of Communications and Marketing

McCain Performance Series presents theater and dance spectacle 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Senators gave initial approval to a $25.1 billion state spending blueprint following a six-hour debate Wednesday that covered legislative pay raises, the absence of special education funding, border security and whether the state should contribute to preparations for the 2026 World Cup on the Missouri side of Kansas City.

The budget contained in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb514/">Senate Bill 514</a>&nbsp;includes $15.7 million to send Kansas National Guard troops to Texas, $28 million to support the World Cup and $174.4 million to raise state employee salaries by 5%. It also would hold hostage $35.7 million in funding for state colleges and universities until their top executives certify they have eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion requirements in admissions and hiring processes.

In lieu of expanding Medicaid, the proposed budget would invest $78.7 million in increases to Medicaid outpatient hospital reimbursement rates. It allocates $23 million to chip away at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/17/typical-lip-service-as-medicaid-waitlists-grow-kansas-parents-see-no-path-forward/">long waiting lists for disability services</a>.

The Judicial Branch would receive $2.6 million and three full-time positions to deal with “a security incident,” following last year’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">ransomware attack</a>&nbsp;that hindered court filings and public access to court records.

The spending plan, which still requires a final vote in the Senate and negotiations the House, will be subject to line-item vetoes by Gov. Laura Kelly and can be augmented with an omnibus bill before the session ends.

The GOP-dominated Senate is poised to grow government, as it has done every year in recent history, by increasing the spending of state dollars from $9.9 billion in the current fiscal year to $10.2 billion in the fiscal year that begins in July. Republicans trimmed about a billion dollars in federal and state spending from the governor’s proposal by declining to pay down debt early, adding new debt, and removing funding for special education.

As it stands, the Senate budget would leave the state with a $3.4 billion surplus. That figure would be reduced by any forthcoming tax cuts that pass into law.

“This budget will allow for a sizable tax relief for Kansas families,” said Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland.

Lawmakers entertained 16 proposed amendments during Wednesday’s debate, including several dealing with plans to raise&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/05/kansas-commission-recommends-raising-annual-base-salary-of-state-legislators-to-43000/">annual compensation for legislators</a>&nbsp;from roughly $29,000 to $57,000.

A state law passed last year authorized a bipartisan commission to study legislative pay and implement changes in 2025. That relieved lawmakers from having to take a public vote to raise their own pay.

Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, championed the pay increase as a way to attract younger lawmakers with more diverse backgrounds. Currently, the Legislature is dominated by retirees, wealthy individuals and others who can afford to spend three months of the year in Topeka without worrying about compensation.

“What I make as a public servant is not a motivator to whether I run or not,” Erickson said. “But I’m at a point in my life, and if we’re honest about it, we look around and we can see that most of us are at a point or position in our life, where we can afford to take $88 a day.”

She said the raise approved by the appointed commission “was a way to get more diverse representation in the Kansas legislature by making it at least a financial possibility for those of us not in a position or a point in our lives to be able to afford to serve. And isn’t that what we want — more people being able to serve, and it not being a financial burden on families? And we get, let’s be honest, the potential for younger members of this body, which we need their voices.”

Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, called for lawmakers to abandon the commission’s plan and consider instead a more modest raise of $10,500. That amendment failed on a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313145758_333340/">14-9 vote</a>.

However, senators adopted an amendment brought by Sen. Dennis Pyle, I-Hiawatha, that would require the Legislature to vote on any pay raise before it can take effect.

Pyle held in his hand a packet of information that he said was brought to him during a meeting between legislators and constituents over coffee. The documentation, he said, tells the story of how last year’s bill was introduced, where it went and how it got amended before it went to the compensation commission, and how the pay raise was put in place.

“There were probably about 30 to 40 people in the room, and the paper that was covering it, everyone was questioning: ‘How can that be? Why is there no sunshine on that?’ That was what I took from the people,” Pyle said.

“People were pretty upset that it wasn’t brought in openness and fairness to the light of day,” Pyle said.

His amendment passed on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313161154_733893/">a 20-8 vote</a>&nbsp;with both parties divided, nine members declining to vote and three members absent.

The budget removes about $200 million requested by the governor to meet the state’s statutory requirement for funding special education needs in public schools.

The state is supposed to cover 92% of special education costs in public schools, but hasn’t done so since 2011. The current funding level is at 69% of costs, which means&nbsp;schools have used money that would otherwise be spent in the classroom to cover special education services.

Sen. J.R. Claeys, R-Salina, said funding for special education would be added in an omnibus bill before the session is over. He complained that an amendment brought by Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, would redirect money from Medicaid services, debt payments and several earmarked projects, to cover special education needs. Doll’s amendment was based on “pay-go” rules that require any added expense to be offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget.

Claeys said Doll’s amendment would hamper the state’s fight against fentanyl, hurt the dairy industry, and cost rural hospitals.

“What you’re getting for that is a discussion today about adding money to special ed that was going to occur at omnibus anyway,” Claeys said. “That’s all. You’re getting it four weeks early. And that is the price you’re paying for it.”

“First of all,” Doll responded, “If we can find different places to get this money, I’m all in.”

“But if it wasn’t so sick,” Doll added, “I would find it humorous that we’re talking about closing rural hospitals, and we haven’t had a hearing on Medicaid expansion. That to me is just incredible that we that statement was even made.”

Doll’s amendment failed on a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313155504_337862/">12-19 vote</a>.

Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, proposed an amendment that would block state funding from going to private schools unless they were accredited under the same standards as public schools.

That was met with fury by Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, who proposed that schools should welcome public funding for private schools as a “gift” that would force them to compete. Steffen said he watched the decline of public schools during an eight-year period ending in 2016, when his son and daughter had attended public high school.

“I saw our public schools go from recognized centers of excellence to bastions of mediocrity,” Steffen said.

Competition, he said, “will do nothing but improve our public schools.”

“I just wish they had the clarity of vision to understand that this is actually a gift to the public schools, and that they will only make them more responsive and better at what they do,” Steffen said.

Holscher’s amendment failed on a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313152838_903093/">12-21 vote</a>.

The budget earmarks $28 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid to support economic development around the World Cup games in 2026 — with the caveat that the money will come from the state general fund if federal rules get in the way.

Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood, proposed an amendment that would have taken $20 million away from the World Cup and divided it between special education funding and infrastructure investments for small towns.

She read the names of more than 40 towns in her district that have fewer than 2,000 people in them, then fought back tears as she explained her proposal.

“I hate to see the hard-earned money from the people that live in these little bitty towns be sent to build practice facilities for a soccer game,” Straub said. “I don’t think a single one of these towns has a soccer program at their school. In fact, I’m certain that they don’t. They have football — American football. If we keep sending our hard-earned money to other countries, to other companies, to other people, and without taking care of our own first we are going to end up in a very bad situation, which most of these cities already are. Many of them are in their dire straits.”

Straub found support across the aisle in Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, who questioned the merits of subsidizing the World Cup event. He proposed an amendment to eliminate the funding altogether.

“I understand the term of economic development,” he said, “but you know, guys, they already came.”

Holland said he would be amazed if promoters were counting on the state to “pony up taxpayer dollars to help them fund their for-profit deal.”

“Look at basically who’s coming to a soccer event,” Holland said. “There are people come from all over the world. There are people from all points of our country. They’ve got money to spend. And for the life of me, I don’t understand why the Kansas taxpayer has to subsidize wealthy people coming into the Midwest to spend their money.”

He also questioned the lack of transparency behind the request, because it wasn’t clear who asked for the money.

The amendments by Straub and Holland both failed on a voice vote.

“If we don’t provide our necessary funds for the transportation, security and marketing, our Kansas businesses are the ones that are going to be losing because Missouri is going to win and they’re going to have all of the activity on their side of the state line,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710518025223.png" alt=" Sen. Dennis Pyle, seen during a Jan. 17, 2024, Senate session, argued in favor of requiring legislators to vote on a planned pay increase. The Senate adopted his amendment during a six-hour budget debate Wednesday. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Dennis Pyle, seen during a Jan. 17, 2024, Senate session, argued in favor of requiring legislators to vote on a planned pay increase. The Senate adopted his amendment during a six-hour budget debate Wednesday. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Senators gave initial approval to a $25.1 billion state spending blueprint following a six-hour debate Wednesday that covered legislative pay raises, the absence of special education funding, border security and whether the state should contribute to preparations for the 2026 World Cup on the Missouri side of Kansas City.The budget contained in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb514/">Senate Bill 514</a>&nbsp;includes $15.7 million to send Kansas National Guard troops to Texas, $28 million to support the World Cup and $174.4 million to raise state employee salaries by 5%. It also would hold hostage $35.7 million in funding for state colleges and universities until their top executives certify they have eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion requirements in admissions and hiring processes.In lieu of expanding Medicaid, the proposed budget would invest $78.7 million in increases to Medicaid outpatient hospital reimbursement rates. It allocates $23 million to chip away at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/17/typical-lip-service-as-medicaid-waitlists-grow-kansas-parents-see-no-path-forward/">long waiting lists for disability services</a>.The Judicial Branch would receive $2.6 million and three full-time positions to deal with “a security incident,” following last year’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">ransomware attack</a>&nbsp;that hindered court filings and public access to court records.The spending plan, which still requires a final vote in the Senate and negotiations the House, will be subject to line-item vetoes by Gov. Laura Kelly and can be augmented with an omnibus bill before the session ends.The GOP-dominated Senate is poised to grow government, as it has done every year in recent history, by increasing the spending of state dollars from $9.9 billion in the current fiscal year to $10.2 billion in the fiscal year that begins in July. Republicans trimmed about a billion dollars in federal and state spending from the governor’s proposal by declining to pay down debt early, adding new debt, and removing funding for special education.As it stands, the Senate budget would leave the state with a $3.4 billion surplus. That figure would be reduced by any forthcoming tax cuts that pass into law.“This budget will allow for a sizable tax relief for Kansas families,” said Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710518098766.png" alt="Sen. Renee Erickson, seen during an April 26, 2023, committee hearing, defended plans to raise legislator pay as a way of allowing more people to run for office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Renee Erickson, seen during an April 26, 2023, committee hearing, defended plans to raise legislator pay as a way of allowing more people to run for office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Legislator pay</h2>Lawmakers entertained 16 proposed amendments during Wednesday’s debate, including several dealing with plans to raise&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/05/kansas-commission-recommends-raising-annual-base-salary-of-state-legislators-to-43000/">annual compensation for legislators</a>&nbsp;from roughly $29,000 to $57,000.A state law passed last year authorized a bipartisan commission to study legislative pay and implement changes in 2025. That relieved lawmakers from having to take a public vote to raise their own pay.Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, championed the pay increase as a way to attract younger lawmakers with more diverse backgrounds. Currently, the Legislature is dominated by retirees, wealthy individuals and others who can afford to spend three months of the year in Topeka without worrying about compensation.“What I make as a public servant is not a motivator to whether I run or not,” Erickson said. “But I’m at a point in my life, and if we’re honest about it, we look around and we can see that most of us are at a point or position in our life, where we can afford to take $88 a day.”She said the raise approved by the appointed commission “was a way to get more diverse representation in the Kansas legislature by making it at least a financial possibility for those of us not in a position or a point in our lives to be able to afford to serve. And isn’t that what we want — more people being able to serve, and it not being a financial burden on families? And we get, let’s be honest, the potential for younger members of this body, which we need their voices.”Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, called for lawmakers to abandon the commission’s plan and consider instead a more modest raise of $10,500. That amendment failed on a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313145758_333340/">14-9 vote</a>.However, senators adopted an amendment brought by Sen. Dennis Pyle, I-Hiawatha, that would require the Legislature to vote on any pay raise before it can take effect.Pyle held in his hand a packet of information that he said was brought to him during a meeting between legislators and constituents over coffee. The documentation, he said, tells the story of how last year’s bill was introduced, where it went and how it got amended before it went to the compensation commission, and how the pay raise was put in place.“There were probably about 30 to 40 people in the room, and the paper that was covering it, everyone was questioning: ‘How can that be? Why is there no sunshine on that?’ That was what I took from the people,” Pyle said.“People were pretty upset that it wasn’t brought in openness and fairness to the light of day,” Pyle said.His amendment passed on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313161154_733893/">a 20-8 vote</a>&nbsp;with both parties divided, nine members declining to vote and three members absent.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710518142729.png" alt=" Sen. J.R. Claeys, seen during a Jan. 17, 2024, Senate session, said a forthcoming bill would include funding for special education. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. J.R. Claeys, seen during a Jan. 17, 2024, Senate session, said a forthcoming bill would include funding for special education. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>School funding</h2>The budget removes about $200 million requested by the governor to meet the state’s statutory requirement for funding special education needs in public schools.The state is supposed to cover 92% of special education costs in public schools, but hasn’t done so since 2011. The current funding level is at 69% of costs, which means&nbsp;schools have used money that would otherwise be spent in the classroom to cover special education services.Sen. J.R. Claeys, R-Salina, said funding for special education would be added in an omnibus bill before the session is over. He complained that an amendment brought by Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, would redirect money from Medicaid services, debt payments and several earmarked projects, to cover special education needs. Doll’s amendment was based on “pay-go” rules that require any added expense to be offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget.Claeys said Doll’s amendment would hamper the state’s fight against fentanyl, hurt the dairy industry, and cost rural hospitals.“What you’re getting for that is a discussion today about adding money to special ed that was going to occur at omnibus anyway,” Claeys said. “That’s all. You’re getting it four weeks early. And that is the price you’re paying for it.”“First of all,” Doll responded, “If we can find different places to get this money, I’m all in.”“But if it wasn’t so sick,” Doll added, “I would find it humorous that we’re talking about closing rural hospitals, and we haven’t had a hearing on Medicaid expansion. That to me is just incredible that we that statement was even made.”Doll’s amendment failed on a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313155504_337862/">12-19 vote</a>.Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, proposed an amendment that would block state funding from going to private schools unless they were accredited under the same standards as public schools.That was met with fury by Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, who proposed that schools should welcome public funding for private schools as a “gift” that would force them to compete. Steffen said he watched the decline of public schools during an eight-year period ending in 2016, when his son and daughter had attended public high school.“I saw our public schools go from recognized centers of excellence to bastions of mediocrity,” Steffen said.Competition, he said, “will do nothing but improve our public schools.”“I just wish they had the clarity of vision to understand that this is actually a gift to the public schools, and that they will only make them more responsive and better at what they do,” Steffen said.Holscher’s amendment failed on a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20240313152838_903093/">12-21 vote</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710518185415.png" alt=" Sen. Alicia Straub, seen during a Jan. 17, 2024, Senate session, tried to redirect money from the World Cup to help small towns like the ones in her district. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sen. Alicia Straub, seen during a Jan. 17, 2024, Senate session, tried to redirect money from the World Cup to help small towns like the ones in her district. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>World Cup funding</h2>The budget earmarks $28 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid to support economic development around the World Cup games in 2026 — with the caveat that the money will come from the state general fund if federal rules get in the way.Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood, proposed an amendment that would have taken $20 million away from the World Cup and divided it between special education funding and infrastructure investments for small towns.She read the names of more than 40 towns in her district that have fewer than 2,000 people in them, then fought back tears as she explained her proposal.“I hate to see the hard-earned money from the people that live in these little bitty towns be sent to build practice facilities for a soccer game,” Straub said. “I don’t think a single one of these towns has a soccer program at their school. In fact, I’m certain that they don’t. They have football — American football. If we keep sending our hard-earned money to other countries, to other companies, to other people, and without taking care of our own first we are going to end up in a very bad situation, which most of these cities already are. Many of them are in their dire straits.”Straub found support across the aisle in Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, who questioned the merits of subsidizing the World Cup event. He proposed an amendment to eliminate the funding altogether.“I understand the term of economic development,” he said, “but you know, guys, they already came.”Holland said he would be amazed if promoters were counting on the state to “pony up taxpayer dollars to help them fund their for-profit deal.”“Look at basically who’s coming to a soccer event,” Holland said. “There are people come from all over the world. There are people from all points of our country. They’ve got money to spend. And for the life of me, I don’t understand why the Kansas taxpayer has to subsidize wealthy people coming into the Midwest to spend their money.”He also questioned the lack of transparency behind the request, because it wasn’t clear who asked for the money.The amendments by Straub and Holland both failed on a voice vote.“If we don’t provide our necessary funds for the transportation, security and marketing, our Kansas businesses are the ones that are going to be losing because Missouri is going to win and they’re going to have all of the activity on their side of the state line,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa.

Kansas Senate cobbles $25B budget with funds for border security, legislative pay raises, World Cup

There will be a Community Health Needs Survey undertaken in Geary County. This is being coordinated through Stormont Vail Health.

(JUNCTION CITY, Kan., March 15, 2024) - Stormont Vail Health is helping launch the 2024 Geary County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in partnership with community organizations and health groups.

The CHNA is conducted every three years to identify key health assets, needs, and disparities in Geary County. Over the next several weeks, the CHNA Steering Committee will complete the county’s community health neeassessment through a comprehensive perception survey, data collection, research, and analysis. The goal is to gain a complete understanding of the public health issues affecting Geary County communities and provide accurate data to develop strategies that improve the health of Geary County.

County residents are encouraged to participate in this process by taking the Geary County Community Health Survey, available in English and Spanish, by accessing the following links:

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GearyCHNA

Español: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GearyCHNAespanol

This confidential survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will be open through April 30, 2024.

Physical copies of the survey will also be available at multiple community sites throughout Geary County.

There will be a Community Health Needs Survey undertaken in Geary County. This is being coordinated through Stormont Vail Health.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710515323260.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>(JUNCTION CITY, Kan., March 15, 2024) - Stormont Vail Health is helping launch the 2024 Geary County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in partnership with community organizations and health groups.The CHNA is conducted every three years to identify key health assets, needs, and disparities in Geary County. Over the next several weeks, the CHNA Steering Committee will complete the county’s community health neeassessment through a comprehensive perception survey, data collection, research, and analysis. The goal is to gain a complete understanding of the public health issues affecting Geary County communities and provide accurate data to develop strategies that improve the health of Geary County.County residents are encouraged to participate in this process by taking the Geary County Community Health Survey, available in English and Spanish, by accessing the following links:English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GearyCHNAEspañol: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GearyCHNAespanolThis confidential survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will be open through April 30, 2024.Physical copies of the survey will also be available at multiple community sites throughout Geary County.Stormont Vail release

Community Health Needs Survey

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—A National Weather Service storm survey found two tornadoes from Wednesday storms, both preliminarily rated EF-2, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.

The first tornado occurred at 7:45p.m. in largely rural area of Wabaunsee County between Alta Vista and Alma. It had maximum winds of 115mph, traveled 8.8 miles in 30 minutes and was approximately 400 yards wide.

The second tornado occurred at 8:27p.m. just outside of Rossville in Shawnee County.

 It had estimated peak winds of 120 mph, traveled 4.7 miles in 19 minutes and was approximately 200 yards wide. There were no injuries reported from the tornadoes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710412618549.png" alt="Photo Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WABAUNSEE COUNTY—A National Weather Service storm survey found two tornadoes from Wednesday storms, both preliminarily rated EF-2, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710462833711.png" alt="Path of the Wabaunsee Co. tornado" />
 <figcaption>Path of the Wabaunsee Co. tornado</figcaption>
 </figure>The first tornado occurred at 7:45p.m. in largely rural area of Wabaunsee County between Alta Vista and Alma. It had maximum winds of 115mph, traveled 8.8 miles in 30 minutes and was approximately 400 yards wide.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710463105180.png" alt="Path of the Shawnee Co. Storm" />
 <figcaption>Path of the Shawnee Co. Storm</figcaption>
 </figure>The second tornado occurred at 8:27p.m. just outside of Rossville in Shawnee County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710463344737.png" alt="Repairing tornado damage in Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Repairing tornado damage in Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> It had estimated peak winds of 120 mph, traveled 4.7 miles in 19 minutes and was approximately 200 yards wide. There were no injuries reported from the tornadoes.

NWS: Wabaunsee Co. tornado rated EF2

Junction City Main Street release&nbsp; &nbsp;

JUNCTION CITY, Kansas - Junction City Main Street has announced the dates for their 2nd Annual Taste of Culture Events: Cups of Culture and International Food Tour. These two events are centered around Junction City’s diversity that fuels our amazing community! Cups of Culture, a 21+ event, will run from 4:30PM-8:30PM, on Friday May 3rd throughout Downtown Junction City. International Food Tour will run in conjunction with Main Street Market’s kick-off on Saturday May 4th, from 10:00AM-2:00PM and will be hosted in the parking lots near the corner of 8th and Jefferson streets, by Central National Bank.

The Cups of Culture event engages community members in familiarizing themselves with the amazing businesses Downtown Junction City has to offer, all while sampling diverse liquors and snacks from around the world! Participants will check-in at 4:30PM at Junction City Main Street at 129 W 7th Street and will receive a special commemorative glass and Downtown JC map of participating storefronts. This same weekend, the International Food Tour event will highlight and celebrate the cultural diversity that Junction City boasts. Attendees will purchase a “passport” that gives them access to each of the local food vendors that will represent different global cuisines. With their “passports” in hand, attendees will travel from each vendor, earning them a travel stamp and a delicious sample to delight their taste buds.

Chris Hileman, Junction City Main Street Intern and Cups of Culture attendee offers his personal experience at the event, “Cups of Culture 2023 was a unique experience that really captured the essence of Junction City’s cultural diversity. It was great to stroll Downtown JC, visit our local businesses, and enjoy fellowship with friends. It really displayed what our Downtown has to offer. I’ve already bought my tickets for 2024!”

Registration slots for both events are still available for attendees. Please visit the Taste of Culture event page <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/explore/taste-of-culture/">here</a>&nbsp;in order to register for Cups of Culture or purchase your “passport” for International Food Tour.

Junction City Main Street is still actively recruiting Downtown storefronts to participate in Cups of Culture and food vendors for International Food Tour. If you are interested in involving your business in either Cups of Culture or International Food Tour, please visit the Taste of Culture event page <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/explore/taste-of-culture/">here</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678470039677.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Junction City Main Street release&nbsp; &nbsp;--JUNCTION CITY, Kansas - Junction City Main Street has announced the dates for their 2nd Annual Taste of Culture Events: Cups of Culture and International Food Tour. These two events are centered around Junction City’s diversity that fuels our amazing community! Cups of Culture, a 21+ event, will run from 4:30PM-8:30PM, on Friday May 3rd throughout Downtown Junction City. International Food Tour will run in conjunction with Main Street Market’s kick-off on Saturday May 4th, from 10:00AM-2:00PM and will be hosted in the parking lots near the corner of 8th and Jefferson streets, by Central National Bank.The Cups of Culture event engages community members in familiarizing themselves with the amazing businesses Downtown Junction City has to offer, all while sampling diverse liquors and snacks from around the world! Participants will check-in at 4:30PM at Junction City Main Street at 129 W 7th Street and will receive a special commemorative glass and Downtown JC map of participating storefronts. This same weekend, the International Food Tour event will highlight and celebrate the cultural diversity that Junction City boasts. Attendees will purchase a “passport” that gives them access to each of the local food vendors that will represent different global cuisines. With their “passports” in hand, attendees will travel from each vendor, earning them a travel stamp and a delicious sample to delight their taste buds.Chris Hileman, Junction City Main Street Intern and Cups of Culture attendee offers his personal experience at the event, “Cups of Culture 2023 was a unique experience that really captured the essence of Junction City’s cultural diversity. It was great to stroll Downtown JC, visit our local businesses, and enjoy fellowship with friends. It really displayed what our Downtown has to offer. I’ve already bought my tickets for 2024!”Registration slots for both events are still available for attendees. Please visit the Taste of Culture event page <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/explore/taste-of-culture/">here</a>&nbsp;in order to register for Cups of Culture or purchase your “passport” for International Food Tour.Junction City Main Street is still actively recruiting Downtown storefronts to participate in Cups of Culture and food vendors for International Food Tour. If you are interested in involving your business in either Cups of Culture or International Food Tour, please visit the Taste of Culture event page <a href="https://junctioncitymainstreet.org/explore/taste-of-culture/">here</a>.&nbsp;

Junction City Main Street will host their Taste of Culture Events

The Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake have been working to make upgrades at the lake over the winter months in preparation for the spring and summer seasons.

Operations Project Manager, Bill Whitworth, explained that they have been trying to pull out some courtesy docks and ramps. One at Farnum Creek was rebuilt. The entire overall project is expected to be completed by mid-April.

There has been clean-up work of hazardous trees and branches at campgrounds, a prescribed fire of about 80 acres to burn crop residue off of former crop land to convert it to natural grass, and preparations are being made to chip seal Curtis Creek and Timber Creek Roads. That work will eventually be done by a private company under contract.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThe Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake have been working to make upgrades at the lake over the winter months in preparation for the spring and summer seasons.Operations Project Manager, Bill Whitworth, explained that they have been trying to pull out some courtesy docks and ramps. One at Farnum Creek was rebuilt. The entire overall project is expected to be completed by mid-April.There has been clean-up work of hazardous trees and branches at campgrounds, a prescribed fire of about 80 acres to burn crop residue off of former crop land to convert it to natural grass, and preparations are being made to chip seal Curtis Creek and Timber Creek Roads. That work will eventually be done by a private company under contract.

Corps of Engineers prepare for spring - summer at Milford Lake

<a href="mailto:melgares@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By PAT MELGARES</a> K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;&nbsp;

A trio of Kansas State University graduate students recently reported their findings regarding threats to the animals that graze the Kansas prairie – and the impact of prescribed fire on those threats.

They reported their findings&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/events/cattlemens-day/">during K-State’s recent Cattlemen’s Day</a>, which highlights cattle-related research being conducted at the university.

The students’ multi-year research projects compared the effects of prescribed burning of pastures in spring, summer and fall.

Zach Duncan, who completed the doctoral degree in ruminant nutrition last December, compared the effects of burning in the three seasons on the growth performance of stocker cattle. The study zeroed in on how fire reduces the growth of sericea lespedeza, an invasive weed that has degraded more than 600,000 acres of native Kansas rangeland – most of that in the Flint Hills region.

“Flint Hills ranches traditionally apply a spring-season fire in April, then intensively graze yearling beef cattle from May to August,” Duncan said. “Unfortunately, this practice has not limited the proliferation of sericea lespedeza.”

Previous research at K-State led by range management specialist KC Olson determined that burning in August or September reduces the presence of sericea lespedeza, but that practice has been limited, Duncan said, “because burning pastures later in the year could have unknown major effects on the growth performance of stocker cattle during the next grazing season.”

The six-year study studied the effects of fire in spring, summer and fall with nearly 2,000 yearling beef cattle grazing the land. Duncan said the results indicate shifting burning from August to October reduced yearling stocker cattle weight gains by 10-14 pounds during a 90-day grazing season.

Ranchers should weigh that finding, however, against the reduced need for herbicides against sericea lespedeza, improved wildlife habitat, and the reduced downwind impacts of smoke on air quality, Duncan said.

In another study, Andrea Salazar – a K-State doctoral candidate in entomology – found that spring- and summer-burned pastures had lower counts of ticks compared to fall-burned areas.

High tick burdens on cattle, Salazar said, results in decreased production, anemia, skin irritations, pruritus (itching) and stress.

“Furthermore, ticks serve as vectors for diverse pathogens, such as bacteria, protozoa and parasites, leading to diseases in animals and humans,” she said.

The study was conducted at K-State’s Beef Stocker Unit west of the Manhattan campus. Salazar said three tick species were found: The Lone Star tick, American dog tick, and the Gulf Coast tick. “Significantly fewer ticks were collected from fire-treated areas compared to non-burned areas during eight months of sampling,” she said.

“Among seasonally burned areas, tick counts in fall pastures were higher than summer and spring pastures,” Salazar added.

“The findings suggest that consistent annual burning of grazing areas, particularly when conducted in the spring, holds the potential to substantially diminish tick populations. This approach presents an efficient non-chemical method for tick control. The strategic timing of prescribed fires is crucial, aligning them with conditions that target specific tick species during vulnerable phases in their life cycle to optimize the impact on tick control.”

The choice of when to burn does not seem to make a difference in protecting populations of dung beetles, an important part of the pasture ecosystem. First-year entomology graduate student Herman Griese said “the difference was not significant” in a study that looked at spring, summer and fall prescribed burns.

Dung beetles feed on or store feces to provide housing and food for their young, which in turn transports nutrients to the subsoil and improves nutrient cycling, soil structure and forage growth on the prairie.

For farmers, the benefits to their land and livestock herds also are real: reduced parasite pressure, better aeration, reduced compaction, reduced runoff after rain events and decreased ammonia levels.

“Based on our study, ranchers who are worried about killing their decomposers (such as dung beetles) by burning their pastures can choose what time of year to burn based on other desired outcomes,” Griese said.

The full listing of research reports presented during the 2024 K-State Cattlemen’s Day is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/beef/focusareas/24_CattlemensDaySummary.pdf">available online</a>.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e75818b1-80eb-49fc-a472-5e13faca548b">Propane Central celebrates retirement for 26-year employee</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710440580581.jpeg" alt="Recent research on the effects of prescribed burning in Kansas has looked at benefits to the ecosystem. Image courtesy K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Recent research on the effects of prescribed burning in Kansas has looked at benefits to the ecosystem. Image courtesy K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:melgares@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By PAT MELGARES</a> K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;&nbsp;A trio of Kansas State University graduate students recently reported their findings regarding threats to the animals that graze the Kansas prairie – and the impact of prescribed fire on those threats.They reported their findings&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/events/cattlemens-day/">during K-State’s recent Cattlemen’s Day</a>, which highlights cattle-related research being conducted at the university.The students’ multi-year research projects compared the effects of prescribed burning of pastures in spring, summer and fall.Zach Duncan, who completed the doctoral degree in ruminant nutrition last December, compared the effects of burning in the three seasons on the growth performance of stocker cattle. The study zeroed in on how fire reduces the growth of sericea lespedeza, an invasive weed that has degraded more than 600,000 acres of native Kansas rangeland – most of that in the Flint Hills region.“Flint Hills ranches traditionally apply a spring-season fire in April, then intensively graze yearling beef cattle from May to August,” Duncan said. “Unfortunately, this practice has not limited the proliferation of sericea lespedeza.”Previous research at K-State led by range management specialist KC Olson determined that burning in August or September reduces the presence of sericea lespedeza, but that practice has been limited, Duncan said, “because burning pastures later in the year could have unknown major effects on the growth performance of stocker cattle during the next grazing season.”The six-year study studied the effects of fire in spring, summer and fall with nearly 2,000 yearling beef cattle grazing the land. Duncan said the results indicate shifting burning from August to October reduced yearling stocker cattle weight gains by 10-14 pounds during a 90-day grazing season.Ranchers should weigh that finding, however, against the reduced need for herbicides against sericea lespedeza, improved wildlife habitat, and the reduced downwind impacts of smoke on air quality, Duncan said.In another study, Andrea Salazar – a K-State doctoral candidate in entomology – found that spring- and summer-burned pastures had lower counts of ticks compared to fall-burned areas.High tick burdens on cattle, Salazar said, results in decreased production, anemia, skin irritations, pruritus (itching) and stress.“Furthermore, ticks serve as vectors for diverse pathogens, such as bacteria, protozoa and parasites, leading to diseases in animals and humans,” she said.The study was conducted at K-State’s Beef Stocker Unit west of the Manhattan campus. Salazar said three tick species were found: The Lone Star tick, American dog tick, and the Gulf Coast tick. “Significantly fewer ticks were collected from fire-treated areas compared to non-burned areas during eight months of sampling,” she said.“Among seasonally burned areas, tick counts in fall pastures were higher than summer and spring pastures,” Salazar added.“The findings suggest that consistent annual burning of grazing areas, particularly when conducted in the spring, holds the potential to substantially diminish tick populations. This approach presents an efficient non-chemical method for tick control. The strategic timing of prescribed fires is crucial, aligning them with conditions that target specific tick species during vulnerable phases in their life cycle to optimize the impact on tick control.”The choice of when to burn does not seem to make a difference in protecting populations of dung beetles, an important part of the pasture ecosystem. First-year entomology graduate student Herman Griese said “the difference was not significant” in a study that looked at spring, summer and fall prescribed burns.Dung beetles feed on or store feces to provide housing and food for their young, which in turn transports nutrients to the subsoil and improves nutrient cycling, soil structure and forage growth on the prairie.For farmers, the benefits to their land and livestock herds also are real: reduced parasite pressure, better aeration, reduced compaction, reduced runoff after rain events and decreased ammonia levels.“Based on our study, ranchers who are worried about killing their decomposers (such as dung beetles) by burning their pastures can choose what time of year to burn based on other desired outcomes,” Griese said.The full listing of research reports presented during the 2024 K-State Cattlemen’s Day is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/beef/focusareas/24_CattlemensDaySummary.pdf">available online</a>.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e75818b1-80eb-49fc-a472-5e13faca548b">Propane Central celebrates retirement for 26-year employee</a>

K-State Cattleman’s Day: Students present research on impacts of prescribed burning

TOPEKA– (March 14, 2024) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is urging Geary, Morris and Wabaunsee County residents to use caution and avoid scams by transient contractors after Wednesday night’s damaging storm. “With few exceptions, roofers in Kansas should be registered with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. Taking one extra step and checking that a roofing contractor is registered can help Kansans avoid fly-by night roofers who seek to make a quick buck following damaging weather events,” Kobach said.

The requirement to register with the attorney general’s office is in addition to any other local requirements that may be imposed by cities or counties. You can check roofer registration online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.us21.list-manage.com/track/click?u=09fcce027126dffda6b997d13&amp;id=c8b07a1de2&amp;e=39c6fe0c08" target="_blank">www.InYourCorner.org</a>.Roofing contractors must obtain a contractor registration certificate from the Attorney General’s Office in order to legally solicit or provide commercial or residential roofing services in Kansas. The Roofing Registration Act was designed to ensure that legitimate roofing contractors are complying with state requirements, such as carrying appropriate insurance.

Working with a roofer who is registered is a bare minimum to help prevent problems. The attorney general’s office also recommends the following tips in dealing with any transient contractors, including roofers:

Any Kansans who have problems with roofing contractors or other companies that follow storms may file a request for the attorney general’s Public Protection Division to investigate at (800) 432-2310 or&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.us21.list-manage.com/track/click?u=09fcce027126dffda6b997d13&amp;id=a7c7d01f9f&amp;e=39c6fe0c08" target="_blank">www.InYourCornerKansas.org</a>. The attorney general requests that Kansans promptly report any unregistered person or company attempting to sell roofing services.

TOPEKA– (March 14, 2024) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is urging Geary, Morris and Wabaunsee County residents to use caution and avoid scams by transient contractors after Wednesday night’s damaging storm. “With few exceptions, roofers in Kansas should be registered with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. Taking one extra step and checking that a roofing contractor is registered can help Kansans avoid fly-by night roofers who seek to make a quick buck following damaging weather events,” Kobach said.The requirement to register with the attorney general’s office is in addition to any other local requirements that may be imposed by cities or counties. You can check roofer registration online at&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.us21.list-manage.com/track/click?u=09fcce027126dffda6b997d13&amp;id=c8b07a1de2&amp;e=39c6fe0c08" target="_blank">www.InYourCorner.org</a>.Roofing contractors must obtain a contractor registration certificate from the Attorney General’s Office in order to legally solicit or provide commercial or residential roofing services in Kansas. The Roofing Registration Act was designed to ensure that legitimate roofing contractors are complying with state requirements, such as carrying appropriate insurance.Working with a roofer who is registered is a bare minimum to help prevent problems. The attorney general’s office also recommends the following tips in dealing with any transient contractors, including roofers:<ul>
 <li>Get recommendations and references.</li><li>Get at least three written estimates from different contractors.</li><li>Check contractor complaint records with the Better Business Bureau.</li><li>Understand your payment options and right to cancel.</li>
 </ul>Any Kansans who have problems with roofing contractors or other companies that follow storms may file a request for the attorney general’s Public Protection Division to investigate at (800) 432-2310 or&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.us21.list-manage.com/track/click?u=09fcce027126dffda6b997d13&amp;id=a7c7d01f9f&amp;e=39c6fe0c08" target="_blank">www.InYourCornerKansas.org</a>. The attorney general requests that Kansans promptly report any unregistered person or company attempting to sell roofing services.By Danedri Herbert

AG Kobach urges Kansans to check roofer registration after damaging storm

The Central Kansas Extension District will host an&nbsp;Upland Game Bird Biology and Management program on Wednesday, April 10&nbsp;in the Saline County 4-H Building in Salina.&nbsp;This informational session is an opportunity for land managers and wildlife enthusiasts who have an interest in developing habitat and enhancing game populations to learn about the various programs, services, and resources that are available to help them meet their goals.

Starting at&nbsp;5:30 p.m.,&nbsp;the Central Kansas District 4-H Shooting Sports project members will be serving a BBQ dinner&nbsp;by freewill donation. &nbsp;Youth will also be selling raffle tickets for various&nbsp;prize drawings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Proceeds will go to support&nbsp;4-H&nbsp;youth enrolled in the shotgun, archery, bb gun, air rifle, muzzleloader, and hunting skills disciplines.

Dr. Drew Ricketts, K-State Research&nbsp;and&nbsp;Extension Wildlife Specialist,&nbsp;will begin the&nbsp;educational&nbsp;program&nbsp;at 6:30 p.m.&nbsp;with a presentation on the biology, habitat requirements and general management&nbsp;of&nbsp;pheasant, quail and other upland game birds in Kansas. &nbsp;Following will be Pat Riese, Wildlife Biologist with Kansas Department of Wildlife &amp; Parks. &nbsp;He&nbsp;will highlightnumerous technical assistance and financial resources&nbsp;including&nbsp;cost-share and incentive programs&nbsp;available throughout the state. &nbsp;Additionally,&nbsp;an outlook and forecast&nbsp;on game bird populations and strategy&nbsp;will&nbsp;be offered.

To get an accurate count for the meal, registrations&nbsp;are requested by Wednesday, April 3. &nbsp;For more information&nbsp;or to RSVP, please contact the CKD Extension Office in&nbsp;Salina&nbsp;at (785) 309-5850.

K-State Research and ExtensionThe Central Kansas Extension District will host an&nbsp;Upland Game Bird Biology and Management program on Wednesday, April 10&nbsp;in the Saline County 4-H Building in Salina.&nbsp;This informational session is an opportunity for land managers and wildlife enthusiasts who have an interest in developing habitat and enhancing game populations to learn about the various programs, services, and resources that are available to help them meet their goals.Starting at&nbsp;5:30 p.m.,&nbsp;the Central Kansas District 4-H Shooting Sports project members will be serving a BBQ dinner&nbsp;by freewill donation. &nbsp;Youth will also be selling raffle tickets for various&nbsp;prize drawings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Proceeds will go to support&nbsp;4-H&nbsp;youth enrolled in the shotgun, archery, bb gun, air rifle, muzzleloader, and hunting skills disciplines.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710424434971.jpeg" alt="Upland Game Bird Biology and Management flyer. Image courtesy K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Upland Game Bird Biology and Management flyer. Image courtesy K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Drew Ricketts, K-State Research&nbsp;and&nbsp;Extension Wildlife Specialist,&nbsp;will begin the&nbsp;educational&nbsp;program&nbsp;at 6:30 p.m.&nbsp;with a presentation on the biology, habitat requirements and general management&nbsp;of&nbsp;pheasant, quail and other upland game birds in Kansas. &nbsp;Following will be Pat Riese, Wildlife Biologist with Kansas Department of Wildlife &amp; Parks. &nbsp;He&nbsp;will highlightnumerous technical assistance and financial resources&nbsp;including&nbsp;cost-share and incentive programs&nbsp;available throughout the state. &nbsp;Additionally,&nbsp;an outlook and forecast&nbsp;on game bird populations and strategy&nbsp;will&nbsp;be offered.To get an accurate count for the meal, registrations&nbsp;are requested by Wednesday, April 3. &nbsp;For more information&nbsp;or to RSVP, please contact the CKD Extension Office in&nbsp;Salina&nbsp;at (785) 309-5850.

4-H Shooting Sports fundraiser featuring upland game bird program

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.

Armanda Ortego-Gutierrez, Outside warrant (Two counts), arrested 03/13

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/2024/3/1710428143154.jpeg" alt="Teresa Yates, Unlawful restraint, Domestic battery, arrested 03/13" />
 <figcaption>Teresa Yates, Unlawful restraint, Domestic battery, arrested 03/13</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Armanda Ortego-Gutierrez, Outside warrant (Two counts), arrested 03/13Recent 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 March 14

On March 13, the JC Breakfast Optimist Club met at Jim Clark’s Chevrolet showroom to learn about child care needs in Geary County. Deb Andres, Geary County, K-State Research and Extension agent, shared information about the current status of child care in Geary County.

She stated that “there are 36,247 residents in Geary County; 4,799 of those residents are under the age of 6 years; 24% of the desired capacity for child care is meeting the potential demand and there are 1,783 child care slots needed as of March 12, 2024.

There is a group working on the ‘Why?’ and how to address the need for more child care in Geary County. Input from employers in business and industry, child care providers, employees, community leaders and others interested are invited to the Child Care Crisis Summit on Friday, March 22nd from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM. The summit will be held at the Professional Learning Center located at 920 W. 6th Street in Junction City. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Registration is also free but closes on March 20th. Contact: Deb Andres at 785-238-4161.

During the session there will be presentations and brainstorming with attendees in the morning session. A summary of ideas will be pulled together with possible solutions in the afternoon.

The event is being sponsored by the Geary County Child Care Coalition; Live Well Geary County and Child Care Aware of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710427871223.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dr. Ferrill MillerOn March 13, the JC Breakfast Optimist Club met at Jim Clark’s Chevrolet showroom to learn about child care needs in Geary County. Deb Andres, Geary County, K-State Research and Extension agent, shared information about the current status of child care in Geary County.She stated that “there are 36,247 residents in Geary County; 4,799 of those residents are under the age of 6 years; 24% of the desired capacity for child care is meeting the potential demand and there are 1,783 child care slots needed as of March 12, 2024.There is a group working on the ‘Why?’ and how to address the need for more child care in Geary County. Input from employers in business and industry, child care providers, employees, community leaders and others interested are invited to the Child Care Crisis Summit on Friday, March 22nd from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM. The summit will be held at the Professional Learning Center located at 920 W. 6th Street in Junction City. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Registration is also free but closes on March 20th. Contact: Deb Andres at 785-238-4161.During the session there will be presentations and brainstorming with attendees in the morning session. A summary of ideas will be pulled together with possible solutions in the afternoon.The event is being sponsored by the Geary County Child Care Coalition; Live Well Geary County and Child Care Aware of Kansas.

JC Breakfast Optimist Club Learns About Child Care Needs

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged theft in Riley County.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of theft in the 1800 block of College Heights Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 65 year-old-man reported that a known suspect had stolen his aluminum boat and trailer. The total estimated loss in this case is approximately $1,000.

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged theft in Riley County.Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report of theft in the 1800 block of College Heights Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 65 year-old-man reported that a known suspect had stolen his aluminum boat and trailer. The total estimated loss in this case is approximately $1,000.Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Suspect stole aluminum boat and trailer

WABAUNSEE COUNTY — a significant weather event occurred in and around Wabaunsee County, according to a social media report from the Wabaunsee County Sheriff.

 It appears that the cities in the county were not struck by any of the reported tornadoes. At least 1/2 dozen tornadoes and up to baseball sized hail were confirmed by trained spotters and sheriff's office personnel.

 There has been damage reported to structures in the rural area.  Officers are still making assessments at this time.  No injuries have been reported at this time.  Wabaunsee County Emergency Management will make a full assessment starting at first light and give any further press releases in regards to this storm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710412618549.png" alt="Photo Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WABAUNSEE COUNTY — a significant weather event occurred in and around Wabaunsee County, according to a social media report from the Wabaunsee County Sheriff. It appears that the cities in the county were not struck by any of the reported tornadoes. At least 1/2 dozen tornadoes and up to baseball sized hail were confirmed by trained spotters and sheriff's office personnel.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710412661291.png" alt="Photo Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wabaunsee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure> There has been damage reported to structures in the rural area. Officers are still making assessments at this time. No injuries have been reported at this time. Wabaunsee County Emergency Management will make a full assessment starting at first light and give any further press releases in regards to this storm.

Tornadoes, large hail reported in Wabaunsee County

Some large hail fell in&nbsp; southeast Geary County Wednesday evening, but Emergency Management has not received any report of damage. According to Assistant Emergency Management Director Curt Jahnke, the largest hail was three inches in diameter. It fell on Ridge Road just off of Clarks Creek Road and K-57.

Multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the Geary County area by the National Weather Service Wednesday night.&nbsp;

According to Emergency Management Director Garry Berges There were some vehicle windows south of Burley Hill Road southeast of Junction City that were broken. Hail was generally more than two inches in diameter in that area.

Rain and hail fell elsewhere in the county with Berges estimating that hail size in the dime to quarter size range.&nbsp;Farther damage that might have occurred will have to be determined during the day Thursday.

No injuries were reported Wednesday night.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostSome large hail fell in&nbsp; southeast Geary County Wednesday evening, but Emergency Management has not received any report of damage. According to Assistant Emergency Management Director Curt Jahnke, the largest hail was three inches in diameter. It fell on Ridge Road just off of Clarks Creek Road and K-57.---Multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the Geary County area by the National Weather Service Wednesday night.&nbsp;According to Emergency Management Director Garry Berges There were some vehicle windows south of Burley Hill Road southeast of Junction City that were broken. Hail was generally more than two inches in diameter in that area.Rain and hail fell elsewhere in the county with Berges estimating that hail size in the dime to quarter size range.&nbsp;Farther damage that might have occurred will have to be determined during the day Thursday.No injuries were reported Wednesday night.( Photo - Pixabay )

Storm follow up in Geary County

Just before 8:30 pm on Wednesday, March 13th, Riley County Public Information Officer notified area media that the KBI has notified Emergency Management officials of Everbridge weather alert messages not working properly

“We are aware that weather messages are not being received in both Kansas and Missouri. We are currently working with the NWS to resolve the issue. Please use alternate means to monitor weather (cell, tv, radio, weather radio, or websites.)”&nbsp;

MESSAGE FROM KANSAS BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710379677859.png" alt="Everbridge logo " />
 <figcaption>Everbridge logo </figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 8:30 pm on Wednesday, March 13th, Riley County Public Information Officer notified area media that the KBI has notified Emergency Management officials of Everbridge weather alert messages not working properly“We are aware that weather messages are not being received in both Kansas and Missouri. We are currently working with the NWS to resolve the issue. Please use alternate means to monitor weather (cell, tv, radio, weather radio, or websites.)”&nbsp;MESSAGE FROM KANSAS BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

KBI: Everbridge alert system is down

Stormont Vail Health officials are overseeing a 2024 Community Health Needs Survey in Junction City. Participants in a Live Well Geary County meeting Wednesday were asked to respond to questions and disseminate the survey in the community with it ending April 30.

There will be a town hall meeting May 22 at the JC Naz Church, where feedback will be taken and plans and goals prioritized.&nbsp; There will also be a kickoff event next Monday, March 18th at 2 p.m. at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library.

During the Live Well Geary County meeting on Wednesday participants participated in the first roundtable discussion for the survey and responded to survey questions. On root causes&nbsp; of Geary County's overall health concerns, the transient population and the constant need to educate people on priority programs , poverty, education skills training on topics such as preparation of meals and reading food labels, mental health issues and technology skills training were all mentioned.

Cited as resources that could help were Live Well Geary County, Delivering Change, nursing programs and improvements in specialty medical care.&nbsp; Quality of healthcare delivery included more specialties offered by Stormont Vail Health. Pawnee Mental Health was also mentioned.

Some other areas where the county does well with regard to health included trails, playgrounds, the YMCA and and parks, plus feeder sports for youth such as wrestling and volleyball and partnerships.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostStormont Vail Health officials are overseeing a 2024 Community Health Needs Survey in Junction City. Participants in a Live Well Geary County meeting Wednesday were asked to respond to questions and disseminate the survey in the community with it ending April 30.There will be a town hall meeting May 22 at the JC Naz Church, where feedback will be taken and plans and goals prioritized.&nbsp; There will also be a kickoff event next Monday, March 18th at 2 p.m. at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library.During the Live Well Geary County meeting on Wednesday participants participated in the first roundtable discussion for the survey and responded to survey questions. On root causes&nbsp; of Geary County's overall health concerns, the transient population and the constant need to educate people on priority programs , poverty, education skills training on topics such as preparation of meals and reading food labels, mental health issues and technology skills training were all mentioned.Cited as resources that could help were Live Well Geary County, Delivering Change, nursing programs and improvements in specialty medical care.&nbsp; Quality of healthcare delivery included more specialties offered by Stormont Vail Health. Pawnee Mental Health was also mentioned.Some other areas where the county does well with regard to health included trails, playgrounds, the YMCA and and parks, plus feeder sports for youth such as wrestling and volleyball and partnerships.

202 Community Health Needs Survey begins

The Junction City Rotary Club donated shoes and a check to Westwood Elementary School on Friday, March 8th. The check is for the school to buy additional shoes as well.&nbsp;

Photos submitted by&nbsp;Jimi Parker.&nbsp;

Submitted&nbsp;--The Junction City Rotary Club donated shoes and a check to Westwood Elementary School on Friday, March 8th. The check is for the school to buy additional shoes as well.&nbsp;Photos submitted by&nbsp;Jimi Parker.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710347643369.jpeg" alt="Presentation of shoes for kids and check for additional shoes. Pictured (left to right),&nbsp;Karen Glaser, Amanda Parker, Donna Powers Kim Dressman (Principal at Westwood Elementary School), LaDonna Junghans, Karen Carroll, Steve Spade and Curtis Zeigler." />
 <figcaption>Presentation of shoes for kids and check for additional shoes. Pictured (left to right),&nbsp;Karen Glaser, Amanda Parker, Donna Powers Kim Dressman (Principal at Westwood Elementary School), LaDonna Junghans, Karen Carroll, Steve Spade and Curtis Zeigler.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710347730206.jpeg" alt="Teachers and Staff at Westwood receiving shoes. Pictured in the back row, left to right,&nbsp; Avery Rush, Christie Mowery, Kaitlyn Donahue, Anna Bachelor, Shanae Stanton, Kim Dressman, Elissa Stringfellow, Jacob McCallister, Kaley Nevill, and&nbsp; Sydney Snyder.&nbsp;Pictured in the front row, left to right, Sherry Egyir, Riley Shubert, Kayleigh Merz, and Bethany Ramos.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Teachers and Staff at Westwood receiving shoes. Pictured in the back row, left to right,&nbsp; Avery Rush, Christie Mowery, Kaitlyn Donahue, Anna Bachelor, Shanae Stanton, Kim Dressman, Elissa Stringfellow, Jacob McCallister, Kaley Nevill, and&nbsp; Sydney Snyder.&nbsp;Pictured in the front row, left to right, Sherry Egyir, Riley Shubert, Kayleigh Merz, and Bethany Ramos.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

Local