Geary County Commissioners have approved&nbsp; a motion to seek requests for proposals ( RFP ) for a study to see if there is a need for a new jail or to renovate the existing facility.&nbsp;

The county commission recently&nbsp; received a report that approximately&nbsp; $29 million in repairs were needed for the current jail, but there is no cost estimate for a new structure.&nbsp;

During discussion Monday with members of the Public Building Commission and County staff, suggestions also included a need to gather input from other counties, determine land and bed needs and form a steering committee for the project. All options need to be reviewed.

Geary County Commissioners have approved&nbsp; a motion to seek requests for proposals ( RFP ) for a study to see if there is a need for a new jail or to renovate the existing facility.&nbsp;The county commission recently&nbsp; received a report that approximately&nbsp; $29 million in repairs were needed for the current jail, but there is no cost estimate for a new structure.&nbsp;During discussion Monday with members of the Public Building Commission and County staff, suggestions also included a need to gather input from other counties, determine land and bed needs and form a steering committee for the project. All options need to be reviewed.

County wants more information about a potential jail project

Junction City Public Works have announced that Monroe Street will be closed from Grant Ave to 17th Street starting Monday, June 24th through Wednesday, July 3rd due to water main replacement.

Junction City Public Works have announced that Monroe Street will be closed from Grant Ave to 17th Street starting Monday, June 24th through Wednesday, July 3rd due to water main replacement.

Water main replacement

On Sunday at 4:50 p.m. Geary County Sheriff's Deputies responded to K57 Mile Marker 4, for a single vehicle injury accident involving a motorcycle. Brandon Keith of Junction City, was traveling west on K57 near mile marker 4 on his 2011 Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob. When he hit a patch of gravel causing him to crash into the ditch. 

According to the Sheriff's Department, Brandon Keith was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital for his injuries, and the motorcycle was towed away from the scene by Gross Wrecker.

On Sunday at 4:50 p.m. Geary County Sheriff's Deputies responded to K57 Mile Marker 4, for a single vehicle injury accident involving a motorcycle. Brandon Keith of Junction City, was traveling west on K57 near mile marker 4 on his 2011 Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob. When he hit a patch of gravel causing him to crash into the ditch. According to the Sheriff's Department, Brandon Keith was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital for his injuries, and the motorcycle was towed away from the scene by Gross Wrecker.

Deputies respond to injury accident

CLOUD COUNTY—A Manhattan man died in an accident just before 10p.m. Sunday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Econoline van driven by Marco&nbsp;Lopez, 47, Kansas City, Missouri, was westbound on U.S. 24 five and one half miles west of Miltonvale.

The van traveled into the eastbound lane and struck a 2015 Yamaha motorcycle driven by James Ray&nbsp; Dille, 63, Manhattan. After impact the motorcycle came to rest in the south ditch. The van entered the south ditch, struck a power pole and came to rest in a field.

Dille was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Lopez and two passengers in the van were not injured.&nbsp; Dille was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

CLOUD COUNTY—A Manhattan man died in an accident just before 10p.m. Sunday in Cloud County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford Econoline van driven by Marco&nbsp;Lopez, 47, Kansas City, Missouri, was westbound on U.S. 24 five and one half miles west of Miltonvale.The van traveled into the eastbound lane and struck a 2015 Yamaha motorcycle driven by James Ray&nbsp; Dille, 63, Manhattan. After impact the motorcycle came to rest in the south ditch. The van entered the south ditch, struck a power pole and came to rest in a field.Dille was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. Lopez and two passengers in the van were not injured.&nbsp; Dille was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Manhattan man dies after van strikes a motorcycle

By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension News Service

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University researchers and representatives of Kansas Wheat have published updated findings on the value of feeding wheat to pigs.

What they’ve found is good news for swine producers and wheat growers.

“Our data collected from 2014 to 2020 suggests that wheat’s mean energy content is 99% and 98% of corn for digestible energy and metabolizable energy, respectively” said Joel DeRouchey, a swine specialist for K-State Research and Extension.

Bottom line: Wheat can be used at a similar rate as corn in those areas where wheat is available, without a major decrease in the diet energy density.

“The use of wheat co-products for the milling industry is a common practice in feeding livestock,” DeRouchey said. “For wheat, there are many different classifications of co-products, such as wheat middlings, wheat millrun, wheat shorts and wheat red dog.”

K-State formed a partnership with Kansas Wheat to update what is known about the nutritional value of wheat and wheat co-products.

“Wheat milling co-products – including bran, middlings and shorts – provide good nutritional value,” said Aaron Harries, the vice president of research and operations for Kansas Wheat. “In particular, those products have high phosphorus content, which results in less supplemental phosphorus in the diet, and reduced costs for the producer.”

The two organizations have published the updated research in&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001d-6Kp2fYXxEQmV8FX-1Jm2mjuwmzBseHSCwvK0-uKwOHWcgZ2vSxuTCW-M4QBjBvTwjUlEB2mv-kuFbKomivueQeWD_WZtziiTN8xFJpxnlde0C1iJ6JBYYsXAW2fQEuSJ06raBYVRaPFTxyn5z-htcnUCqUEZiX6BHjpHiWy8_MdzwYfBeV8m0faQnoGiptCtxBfNYnK0vNv0VuBEo_ziE4-PiqdyAdNugzCKsGDCdTlR1Ihuqfzs_m-1MGFSqcQ_kNTPv0qEdm51Dj2c1_UAmO3rNkf-hR&amp;c=1FUQ6XmNdCLb37xmJqvX1EteOYiXrLDI0d2TPOzg0M6lKsH_2nYW6Q==&amp;ch=v5Q25MuOgS3l7jHD7yJvYS-jl90teh9KGMu1fzDTjUFhC4fN8AYm4g==" target="_blank">three fact sheets now available online</a>&nbsp;from Kansas State University. The three publications are:

• <a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/swine/swinenutritionguide/general_nutrition_principles/Wheat%20for%20Swine%20Nutritional%20Properties%20Factsheet.pdf">Wheat Nutritional Properties</a> • <a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/swine/swinenutritionguide/general_nutrition_principles/Wheat%20co-products%20Nutritional%20properties%20for%20swine%20diets%20Factsheet.pdf">Co-product Nutritional Properties</a> • <a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/swine/swinenutritionguide/general_nutrition_principles/Off-quality%20wheat%20Utilization%20in%20swine%20diets%20Factsheet.pdf">Off-quality utilization</a>

According to DeRouchey, key findings in the fact sheets include:

• Wheat contains higher levels of crude protein and amino acids compared to other cereal grains. “This allows for less soybean meal inclusion in the diet.

• Wheat’s standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids is similar to corn, but greater than barley and sorghum,” DeRouchey said.

• The phosphorus content of wheat is 0.27%, and has very high digestible phosphorus because it contains intrinsic phytase.

• Pelleted wheat diets have been found to have significantly greater pellet durability index, as much as 33.1% compared to corn-based diets. “Even if wheat is not used as the main cereal grain (in a swine diet), it can be incorporated into diets as a pelleting aid,” DeRouchey said.

Harries notes that the updated findings on feeding wheat to swine “provides valuable new information for swine feeders.”

“It allows farmers to consider swine feeding as an alternative marketplace for their wheat,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718897603087.jpeg" alt="Photo by KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Photo by KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension News ServiceMANHATTAN — Kansas State University researchers and representatives of Kansas Wheat have published updated findings on the value of feeding wheat to pigs.What they’ve found is good news for swine producers and wheat growers.“Our data collected from 2014 to 2020 suggests that wheat’s mean energy content is 99% and 98% of corn for digestible energy and metabolizable energy, respectively” said Joel DeRouchey, a swine specialist for K-State Research and Extension.Bottom line: Wheat can be used at a similar rate as corn in those areas where wheat is available, without a major decrease in the diet energy density.“The use of wheat co-products for the milling industry is a common practice in feeding livestock,” DeRouchey said. “For wheat, there are many different classifications of co-products, such as wheat middlings, wheat millrun, wheat shorts and wheat red dog.”K-State formed a partnership with Kansas Wheat to update what is known about the nutritional value of wheat and wheat co-products.“Wheat milling co-products – including bran, middlings and shorts – provide good nutritional value,” said Aaron Harries, the vice president of research and operations for Kansas Wheat. “In particular, those products have high phosphorus content, which results in less supplemental phosphorus in the diet, and reduced costs for the producer.”The two organizations have published the updated research in&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001d-6Kp2fYXxEQmV8FX-1Jm2mjuwmzBseHSCwvK0-uKwOHWcgZ2vSxuTCW-M4QBjBvTwjUlEB2mv-kuFbKomivueQeWD_WZtziiTN8xFJpxnlde0C1iJ6JBYYsXAW2fQEuSJ06raBYVRaPFTxyn5z-htcnUCqUEZiX6BHjpHiWy8_MdzwYfBeV8m0faQnoGiptCtxBfNYnK0vNv0VuBEo_ziE4-PiqdyAdNugzCKsGDCdTlR1Ihuqfzs_m-1MGFSqcQ_kNTPv0qEdm51Dj2c1_UAmO3rNkf-hR&amp;c=1FUQ6XmNdCLb37xmJqvX1EteOYiXrLDI0d2TPOzg0M6lKsH_2nYW6Q==&amp;ch=v5Q25MuOgS3l7jHD7yJvYS-jl90teh9KGMu1fzDTjUFhC4fN8AYm4g==" target="_blank">three fact sheets now available online</a>&nbsp;from Kansas State University. The three publications are:• <a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/swine/swinenutritionguide/general_nutrition_principles/Wheat%20for%20Swine%20Nutritional%20Properties%20Factsheet.pdf">Wheat Nutritional Properties</a> • <a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/swine/swinenutritionguide/general_nutrition_principles/Wheat%20co-products%20Nutritional%20properties%20for%20swine%20diets%20Factsheet.pdf">Co-product Nutritional Properties</a> • <a href="https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/swine/swinenutritionguide/general_nutrition_principles/Off-quality%20wheat%20Utilization%20in%20swine%20diets%20Factsheet.pdf">Off-quality utilization</a> According to DeRouchey, key findings in the fact sheets include:• Wheat contains higher levels of crude protein and amino acids compared to other cereal grains. “This allows for less soybean meal inclusion in the diet.• Wheat’s standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids is similar to corn, but greater than barley and sorghum,” DeRouchey said.• The phosphorus content of wheat is 0.27%, and has very high digestible phosphorus because it contains intrinsic phytase.• Pelleted wheat diets have been found to have significantly greater pellet durability index, as much as 33.1% compared to corn-based diets. “Even if wheat is not used as the main cereal grain (in a swine diet), it can be incorporated into diets as a pelleting aid,” DeRouchey said.Harries notes that the updated findings on feeding wheat to swine “provides valuable new information for swine feeders.”“It allows farmers to consider swine feeding as an alternative marketplace for their wheat,” he said.

Good news for swine producers and wheat growers, say updated findings by KSU, Kansas Wheat

We are all accustomed to having a busy summer. In my case, Paula and I have been able see the 3 grand kids play baseball or softball, watched a granddaughter baton twirl, been to the grandson’s summer musical program, and have found time to attend a few Junction City Brigade baseball games at the historic Rathert Field. There is some great history in the place and some baseball greats played there. I have even had time to auctioneer a sale with a friend.

City staff members have been rocking it as well. Park and Recreation Department employees are busy maintaining sports fields that are being use almost every day. The Swimming Pool is drawing big crowds of swimmers and Spin City has been open a couple of times for those who enjoying roller skating. Prior to COVID-19 the skating rink was open every weekend with a full staff. To this point it has been open on a periodic basis with the Park and Recreation staff working there. There is still discussion and plans being looked at to see how this facility can be best utilized.

They have also been busy preparing Heritage Park for Freedom Fest which begins on July 3. The staff does a lot of behind-the-scenes work in preparation and then during the event keeping the park looking good for all of those who are in attendance. Give a shout out to the staff when you see them working at this annual event.

The Public Works crew is busy with many projects from doing minor street repairs and working on water lines leaks. For the past 2 years about $1.5 million was spent each year to replace water valves and water lines in the older section of the City. Another project was approved for this year, and it will approach that same amount by the time it is done. I hope that the City will continue to address these older lines for the next few years. There will also be a project bid this year to being addressing older sewer lines as well.

Large projects such as the water lines and sewer lines are bid out to construction firms. The 2024 Street Maintenance program should begin in July, and I expect the concrete work on three alleys will begin shortly after that as well.

It has been interesting at the City office. Our IT Director retired this spring, and it now has been decided to hire a new director and applicants should be interviewed shortly. As you probably know, I announced my retirement and will complete my career here in a little over 3 weeks. The City Commission has begun that process. I have, and will continue to, stay out of that process as I have done when I moved on from other cities.

Shortly after the announcement of my retirement, Finance Director Lindsay Miller took another job, but our new Finance Director will begin next week. It has been a bit trying to work on the 2025 Budget being short staffed, but we are working together to get through that process.

A new position called the Community Development Director has been hired and will begin next week. This person will oversee the Building and Codes Department, and the planning and Zoning issues since the City now has its own planning and zoning after the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) was dissolved by Geary County. For a few years, Building and Code were a part of the Fire Department, but now will be in this new apartment. Thanks to Fire Chief Lankas for his efforts, but it is time to make this separation.

Tammy Miller has moved from City Clerk to the Human Resources Director position and Ariana Lorenzo is the new City Clerk. Also, the City has a new City Treasurer since Juliana Tobon left the position when her husband was moved by the United States Army to serve in Korea. Tanya Mosner assumed this role a little over a month ago. Also, Chief Kurt Nichols was recently appointed as the Police Chief and Cory Odell assumed the role of the Assistance Police chief.

The City continues to attempt to hire more staff to fill vacancies. There are vacancies in all Departments.

So, it is interesting with all of the activity and the transitions. I have great faith in the employees and the will move “Onward and Upward.”

We are all accustomed to having a busy summer. In my case, Paula and I have been able see the 3 grand kids play baseball or softball, watched a granddaughter baton twirl, been to the grandson’s summer musical program, and have found time to attend a few Junction City Brigade baseball games at the historic Rathert Field. There is some great history in the place and some baseball greats played there. I have even had time to auctioneer a sale with a friend.City staff members have been rocking it as well. Park and Recreation Department employees are busy maintaining sports fields that are being use almost every day. The Swimming Pool is drawing big crowds of swimmers and Spin City has been open a couple of times for those who enjoying roller skating. Prior to COVID-19 the skating rink was open every weekend with a full staff. To this point it has been open on a periodic basis with the Park and Recreation staff working there. There is still discussion and plans being looked at to see how this facility can be best utilized.They have also been busy preparing Heritage Park for Freedom Fest which begins on July 3. The staff does a lot of behind-the-scenes work in preparation and then during the event keeping the park looking good for all of those who are in attendance. Give a shout out to the staff when you see them working at this annual event.The Public Works crew is busy with many projects from doing minor street repairs and working on water lines leaks. For the past 2 years about $1.5 million was spent each year to replace water valves and water lines in the older section of the City. Another project was approved for this year, and it will approach that same amount by the time it is done. I hope that the City will continue to address these older lines for the next few years. There will also be a project bid this year to being addressing older sewer lines as well.Large projects such as the water lines and sewer lines are bid out to construction firms. The 2024 Street Maintenance program should begin in July, and I expect the concrete work on three alleys will begin shortly after that as well.It has been interesting at the City office. Our IT Director retired this spring, and it now has been decided to hire a new director and applicants should be interviewed shortly. As you probably know, I announced my retirement and will complete my career here in a little over 3 weeks. The City Commission has begun that process. I have, and will continue to, stay out of that process as I have done when I moved on from other cities.Shortly after the announcement of my retirement, Finance Director Lindsay Miller took another job, but our new Finance Director will begin next week. It has been a bit trying to work on the 2025 Budget being short staffed, but we are working together to get through that process.A new position called the Community Development Director has been hired and will begin next week. This person will oversee the Building and Codes Department, and the planning and Zoning issues since the City now has its own planning and zoning after the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) was dissolved by Geary County. For a few years, Building and Code were a part of the Fire Department, but now will be in this new apartment. Thanks to Fire Chief Lankas for his efforts, but it is time to make this separation.Tammy Miller has moved from City Clerk to the Human Resources Director position and Ariana Lorenzo is the new City Clerk. Also, the City has a new City Treasurer since Juliana Tobon left the position when her husband was moved by the United States Army to serve in Korea. Tanya Mosner assumed this role a little over a month ago. Also, Chief Kurt Nichols was recently appointed as the Police Chief and Cory Odell assumed the role of the Assistance Police chief.The City continues to attempt to hire more staff to fill vacancies. There are vacancies in all Departments.So, it is interesting with all of the activity and the transitions. I have great faith in the employees and the will move “Onward and Upward.”

City Manager issues the 515 Report

Geary County Rural Fire Department has announced two promotions at the department.  Adam Shamburg has been promoted to Captain. He had held the rank of Lieutenant.  Brian Field was promoted from firefighter to the rank of Lieutenant.  Both of these promotions took place on Saturday, June 22 during the monthly training.&nbsp;

Geary County Rural Fire Department has announced two promotions at the department. Adam Shamburg has been promoted to Captain. He had held the rank of Lieutenant. Brian Field was promoted from firefighter to the rank of Lieutenant. Both of these promotions took place on Saturday, June 22 during the monthly training.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719187973426.jpeg" alt="Adam Shamburg" />
 <figcaption>Adam Shamburg</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719187995025.jpeg" alt="Brian Field" />
 <figcaption>Brian Field</figcaption>
 </figure>

Two promotions for the rural fire department

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, after a discussion regarding community growth and support, unanimously voted at their monthly meeting on May, 30th to express their support for a 2% increase to the Geary County Transient Guest Tax. According to the Chamber the consensus among Board Members was that such an increase could serve as a valuable resource for the County and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), facilitating initiatives and necessities aimed at enriching the quality of life for both residents of Geary County and its visitors.

The current&nbsp; tax rate is six percent.&nbsp;The majority funds CVB general operations and one percent is designated for sports complex use.

Local hoteliers have opposed any proposed increase.

The transient guest tax tax is paid by users of lodging facilities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678456186587.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerillJC PostThe Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, after a discussion regarding community growth and support, unanimously voted at their monthly meeting on May, 30th to express their support for a 2% increase to the Geary County Transient Guest Tax. According to the Chamber the consensus among Board Members was that such an increase could serve as a valuable resource for the County and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), facilitating initiatives and necessities aimed at enriching the quality of life for both residents of Geary County and its visitors.The current&nbsp; tax rate is six percent.&nbsp;The majority funds CVB general operations and one percent is designated for sports complex use.Local hoteliers have opposed any proposed increase.The transient guest tax tax is paid by users of lodging facilities.

The Chamber Board of Directors Supports an increase in Transient Guest Tax

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 9a.m. Saturday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Honda UTV driven by&nbsp; Brian D.&nbsp; Palenske, 50, Basehor, was traveling on private property in a field one mile Southwest of  28502 Loire Creek Road.

The driver lost control and rolled the UTV. The passenger identified as Ray G.&nbsp;Palenske, 74, Lenexa, was ejected and died of his injuries at the scene. Brian Palenske was not injured.&nbsp; &nbsp;The KHP released no additional details.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 9a.m. Saturday in Wabaunsee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Honda UTV driven by&nbsp; Brian D.&nbsp; Palenske, 50, Basehor, was traveling on private property in a field one mile Southwest of 28502 Loire Creek Road.The driver lost control and rolled the UTV. The passenger identified as Ray G.&nbsp;Palenske, 74, Lenexa, was ejected and died of his injuries at the scene. Brian Palenske was not injured.&nbsp; &nbsp;The KHP released no additional details.

Kansas man dies after ejected in UTV accident

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —A Junction City man was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Acura MDX driven by&nbsp;&nbsp;Cheikh A.&nbsp;Sall, 27, Junction City, was&nbsp;westbound on Interstate 70 near Tallgrass Road.&nbsp;

The SUV traveled onto the on ramp and then exited the on ramp to the west, went airborne, landed and flipped twice.

EMS transported&nbsp;Sall to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —A Junction City man was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Wabaunsee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Acura MDX driven by&nbsp;&nbsp;Cheikh A.&nbsp;Sall, 27, Junction City, was&nbsp;westbound on Interstate 70 near Tallgrass Road.&nbsp;The SUV traveled onto the on ramp and then exited the on ramp to the west, went airborne, landed and flipped twice.EMS transported&nbsp;Sall to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Junction City man hospitalized after violent SUV crash

MANHATTAN — A record-breaking number of Kansas service animals are now cleared for their vital work, thanks to the work of Kansas State University veterinarians.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/ophthalmology/" target="_blank">ophthalmology team</a>&nbsp;at K-State's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/" target="_blank">Veterinary Health Center</a>&nbsp;saw a record number of patients during the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists/Epicur Pharma National Service Animal Eye Exam event in May. This was the service’s 15th year participating in the national event, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.acvoeyeexam.org/#about" target="_blank">provides complimentary eye exams for service and working animals</a>&nbsp;each May.

The team — which included professors of ophthalmology Jessica Meekins and Amy Rankin, veterinary nurse Jennifer Klingele and veterinary assistant Jordyn Orrison — saw a total of 77 service and working military dogs at appointments in the health center and off site.

Off-site visits included Kansas Specialty Dog Service, or KSDS, in Washington, Sedgwick County Emergency Management Search and Rescue, Wichita Police Department, McConnell Air Force Base and Fort Riley. The team evaluated 13 dogs at the Sedgwick County location alone.

"While our dogs' sense of smell is important, their eyesight is incredibly important as well," said Shannon Jacobs, a team lead for the Sedgwick County Emergency Management K-9 Search all-volunteer team. "These dogs are not only part of a team, but they are also loved members of their families, so knowing if there is a problem early on will help us address the issue sooner versus later.

"During the complete eye exams, Meekins and Rankin looked for problems including redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/ophthalmology/owners.html" target="_blank">Early detection and treatment</a>&nbsp;are vital for these animals.

"It's an honor to provide screening eye exams to the animals that give so much to their owners and handlers," Meekins said. "We look forward to providing this service every year and are very excited that the word is spreading in the community to increase registration. It was a record year, and we look forward to even more exams next year.

"Those interested in scheduling an appointment during next year's event should watch for registration to open in April 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718889025489.jpeg" alt="Amy Rankin, professor of ophthalmology, performs an eye exam on a service animal. Rankin was a member of a Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine outreach team that performed nearly 80 eye exams for service and working military dogs around the state this May. Photo courtesy K-State" />
 <figcaption>Amy Rankin, professor of ophthalmology, performs an eye exam on a service animal. Rankin was a member of a Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine outreach team that performed nearly 80 eye exams for service and working military dogs around the state this May. Photo courtesy K-State</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State News ServiceMANHATTAN — A record-breaking number of Kansas service animals are now cleared for their vital work, thanks to the work of Kansas State University veterinarians.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/ophthalmology/" target="_blank">ophthalmology team</a>&nbsp;at K-State's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/" target="_blank">Veterinary Health Center</a>&nbsp;saw a record number of patients during the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists/Epicur Pharma National Service Animal Eye Exam event in May. This was the service’s 15th year participating in the national event, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.acvoeyeexam.org/#about" target="_blank">provides complimentary eye exams for service and working animals</a>&nbsp;each May.The team — which included professors of ophthalmology Jessica Meekins and Amy Rankin, veterinary nurse Jennifer Klingele and veterinary assistant Jordyn Orrison — saw a total of 77 service and working military dogs at appointments in the health center and off site.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718889107770.jpeg" alt="Jordyn Orrison, veterinary assistant in ophthalmology, right, administers eye drops on a service dog prior to an eye exam. Photo courtesy K-State" />
 <figcaption>Jordyn Orrison, veterinary assistant in ophthalmology, right, administers eye drops on a service dog prior to an eye exam. Photo courtesy K-State</figcaption>
 </figure>Off-site visits included Kansas Specialty Dog Service, or KSDS, in Washington, Sedgwick County Emergency Management Search and Rescue, Wichita Police Department, McConnell Air Force Base and Fort Riley. The team evaluated 13 dogs at the Sedgwick County location alone."While our dogs' sense of smell is important, their eyesight is incredibly important as well," said Shannon Jacobs, a team lead for the Sedgwick County Emergency Management K-9 Search all-volunteer team. "These dogs are not only part of a team, but they are also loved members of their families, so knowing if there is a problem early on will help us address the issue sooner versus later."During the complete eye exams, Meekins and Rankin looked for problems including redness, squinting, cloudy corneas, retinal disease, early cataracts and other serious abnormalities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/ophthalmology/owners.html" target="_blank">Early detection and treatment</a>&nbsp;are vital for these animals."It's an honor to provide screening eye exams to the animals that give so much to their owners and handlers," Meekins said. "We look forward to providing this service every year and are very excited that the word is spreading in the community to increase registration. It was a record year, and we look forward to even more exams next year."Those interested in scheduling an appointment during next year's event should watch for registration to open in April 2025.

K-State veterinarians perform eye exams for service animals in record numbers

With temperatures rising Live Well Geary County&nbsp; would like to set up hydration stations around the community with coolers and bottled water available to anyone who needs it. 

&nbsp;A member of Live Well Geary County, Susan Jagerson, said that they are going to try to set up at least two areas on Monday. If anyone wants to help with this effort they are asking for donated coolers (large ice chests), ice and water. They would also ask for help from businesses who might want to place a cooler outside their location. It would need to be an accessible area. 

Organizers will put a plan in place to provide water in times when temperatures are high. Suggestions, or assistance anyone can provide in helping to implement this in the community are welcomed.&nbsp;<a href="http://livewellgearycounty.org/">livewellgearycounty.org</a>

By Dewey TerrillJC PostWith temperatures rising Live Well Geary County&nbsp; would like to set up hydration stations around the community with coolers and bottled water available to anyone who needs it. &nbsp;A member of Live Well Geary County, Susan Jagerson, said that they are going to try to set up at least two areas on Monday. If anyone wants to help with this effort they are asking for donated coolers (large ice chests), ice and water. They would also ask for help from businesses who might want to place a cooler outside their location. It would need to be an accessible area. Organizers will put a plan in place to provide water in times when temperatures are high. Suggestions, or assistance anyone can provide in helping to implement this in the community are welcomed.&nbsp;<a href="http://livewellgearycounty.org/">livewellgearycounty.org</a>( Photo - Pixabay )

Live Well Geary County wants to provide water during warm weather

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 2.9% in May. This is an increase from 2.8% in April and an increase from 2.6% in May 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.

Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 100 from April.

The unemployment rate in Geary County is up from from 3.7 in April to 4.3&nbsp; percent.&nbsp; The rate in Riley County is up from 2.5 percent in April to 3 percent in May.&nbsp; The rate in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties is also up slightly.

Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 300 over the month, while government increased by 400.

“Preliminary estimates for May indicate little change over the month,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Total nonfarm job estimates increased by 100, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.9%, and the labor force participation rate held steady at 66.1%.”

Since May 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 24,000. This change is due to an increase of 18,700 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,300 government jobs.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718981035315.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 2.9% in May. This is an increase from 2.8% in April and an increase from 2.6% in May 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Labor.Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 100 from April.The unemployment rate in Geary County is up from from 3.7 in April to 4.3&nbsp; percent.&nbsp; The rate in Riley County is up from 2.5 percent in April to 3 percent in May.&nbsp; The rate in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties is also up slightly.Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 300 over the month, while government increased by 400.“Preliminary estimates for May indicate little change over the month,” said labor economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Total nonfarm job estimates increased by 100, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.9%, and the labor force participation rate held steady at 66.1%.”Since May 2023 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 24,000. This change is due to an increase of 18,700 private sector jobs and an increase of 5,300 government jobs.<a href="https://klic.dol.ks.gov/vosnet/gsipub/documentView.aspx?enc=O+qpCkhjA+v3dzYVbAEMjQ==">Click here for the</a>&nbsp;complete Kansas labor market information for May.

Jobless rate up in Geary County, across the region

JC Pacesetters received a $5,000 donation from the organization, Americas Guardians on Saturday at the Junction City Bowl. The donation followed the recent Rebok Legacy Ride poker run held in honor of the late Bob Bartholic of Ogden.

The American Legion was involved in helping sponsor the poker run.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719088956724.jpeg" alt="JC Pacesetters" />
 <figcaption>JC Pacesetters</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostJC Pacesetters received a $5,000 donation from the organization, Americas Guardians on Saturday at the Junction City Bowl. The donation followed the recent Rebok Legacy Ride poker run held in honor of the late Bob Bartholic of Ogden.The American Legion was involved in helping sponsor the poker run.

Poker run raises money for the JC Pacesetters

JUNCTION CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– The Geary County Schools USD 475 communications department received four national awards on Friday from the National School Public Relations Association, including two “Awards of Merit” honors for its efforts in telling the stories and accomplishments of USD 475’s students and staff during the 2023-24 school year.&nbsp;The NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognize outstanding tactical materials such as publications, newsletters, videos, podcasts, websites, social media and more.

The USD 475 communications department, which is led by Matt Hoover, Communications Coordinator, took home the following awards:&nbsp;• 2024 NSPRA Award of Merit –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=637223795198327&amp;set=a.394902042763838">Friday Night Scoreboard Infographic</a>• 2024 NSPRA Award of Merit –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/houDfingcXhmvbjJ/">Alumni Spotlight Social Media Series</a>• 2024 NSPRA Honorable Mention –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd475.org/fs/resource-manager/view/840a7e86-f26c-4838-a19b-08ea5e253b48">Back-To-School Photo</a>• 2024 NSPRA Honorable Mention –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd475.org/fs/resource-manager/view/e725692f-3e9f-495c-955c-f4e85d9713ce">Assembly Excitement Photo</a>

JUNCTION CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– The Geary County Schools USD 475 communications department received four national awards on Friday from the National School Public Relations Association, including two “Awards of Merit” honors for its efforts in telling the stories and accomplishments of USD 475’s students and staff during the 2023-24 school year.&nbsp;The NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognize outstanding tactical materials such as publications, newsletters, videos, podcasts, websites, social media and more.The USD 475 communications department, which is led by Matt Hoover, Communications Coordinator, took home the following awards:&nbsp;• 2024 NSPRA Award of Merit –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=637223795198327&amp;set=a.394902042763838">Friday Night Scoreboard Infographic</a>• 2024 NSPRA Award of Merit –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/houDfingcXhmvbjJ/">Alumni Spotlight Social Media Series</a>• 2024 NSPRA Honorable Mention –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd475.org/fs/resource-manager/view/840a7e86-f26c-4838-a19b-08ea5e253b48">Back-To-School Photo</a>• 2024 NSPRA Honorable Mention –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd475.org/fs/resource-manager/view/e725692f-3e9f-495c-955c-f4e85d9713ce">Assembly Excitement Photo</a>

USD 475 Communications Honored 

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.

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/2024/6/1718996557329.jpeg" alt="Jeremey Gloth, Probation violation, arrested 06/20" />
 <figcaption>Jeremey Gloth, Probation violation, arrested 06/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718996606920.jpeg" alt="David Sherwin, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/20" />
 <figcaption>David Sherwin, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718996645875.jpeg" alt="Patrick Fantroy, Burglary (7 counts), Theft&lt;$1,500, Pocket picking (5 counts), Burglary, Vehicle to commit felony, Theft, Domestic violence, or sexually motivated crime, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant (2 counts), arrested 06/20" />
 <figcaption>Patrick Fantroy, Burglary (7 counts), Theft&lt;$1,500, Pocket picking (5 counts), Burglary, Vehicle to commit felony, Theft, Domestic violence, or sexually motivated crime, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant (2 counts), arrested 06/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718996878361.jpeg" alt="Ashley Janes, Failure to appear, arrested 06/20" />
 <figcaption>Ashley Janes, Failure to appear, arrested 06/20</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718996912599.jpeg" alt="Nathan Swickert, Fleeing or attempting to elude a LEO, arrested 06/21" />
 <figcaption>Nathan Swickert, Fleeing or attempting to elude a LEO, arrested 06/21</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718996966807.jpeg" alt="Malik Keith, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation-Drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute marijuana, 450 grams-&lt;30 kilograms, arrested 06/21" />
 <figcaption>Malik Keith, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation-Drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute marijuana, 450 grams-&lt;30 kilograms, arrested 06/21</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718997117495.jpeg" alt="Kalob Blackburn, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 06/21" />
 <figcaption>Kalob Blackburn, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 06/21</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718997172299.jpeg" alt="Shelby Beam, Aggravated endangering a child, Reckless situation to child &lt; 18, arrested 06/21" />
 <figcaption>Shelby Beam, Aggravated endangering a child, Reckless situation to child &lt; 18, arrested 06/21</figcaption>
 </figure>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.

Geary County Booking Photos June 21

Fireworks can be used in Geary County from June 27 through July 5.

To help the public celebrate safely, the Office of the State Fire Marshal offers the following tips for the safe use of fireworks:

Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas - including propane - is stored.

Floating lanterns are also illegal in Geary County.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostFireworks can be used in Geary County from June 27 through July 5.To help the public celebrate safely, the Office of the State Fire Marshal offers the following tips for the safe use of fireworks:<ul>
 <li>Always ignite outdoors</li><li>Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities</li><li>Have a water supply nearby</li><li>Light from a solid, flat and stable platform</li><li>Light only one firework at a time</li><li>Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing</li><li>Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks</li><li>Store fireworks in a cool, dry place</li><li>Use a long-handled lighter</li>
 </ul>Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas - including propane - is stored.Floating lanterns are also illegal in Geary County.( Cover photo - Pixabay )

Fireworks time is nearing

People constantly complain about political parties. And yet, in a society where people are free to express themselves and assemble together, forming parties is both logical and a valuable way to organize disagreements into choices that can be voted on. What most people dislike, I think, aren’t the parties themselves, but the way they shape and are shaped by how those elections actually operate. Which is why what United Kansas is trying to do deserves attention.

United Kansas is a new party in Kansas, and its main aim is to bring back fusion voting. Sometimes called multi-party nomination voting, it simply means that different parties, representing different sets of voters, can nominate the same person as a candidate for political office. Everyone who pays attention to politics is aware there are parties besides the Democrats and Republicans out there; we somewhat regularly see Libertarian party candidates, Green party candidates, and more on our ballots. Fusion voting allows that two parties—say the Republicans and the Libertarians—could choose to back the same person, and the same candidate would then be presented on the ballot with the endorsement of both.

Fusion voting was commonplace in the first half of American history, before the electoral practices which invariably privilege two dominant parties became so entrenched. During the 19th century dozens of smaller parties regularly challenged or fused their nominees with those of other, larger parties, and by so doing obliged those major party organizations to embrace—or at least recognize—the priorities of various groups of voters. All of that made 19th-century elections, for all their racism, sexism, and corruption, in some important ways somewhat more representative than modern contests are (as the high voter turnouts a century ago demonstrate).

Unfortunately, Kansas made fusion voting illegal over a hundred years ago, mostly because Republican legislators wanted to prevent populist candidates from winning with the support of both Democratic and People’s party voters. Most other states banned fusion voting in the early 20th century for similar reasons, with New York and a few other states remaining as exceptions.

The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted state bans on fusion voting as not violating any constitutional freedoms. But as party primaries have become ever more controlling, with small factions of extreme activists within a party frequently defining the options for all of the party’s supporters, essentially robbing certain voters of any effective voice, that ruling is due some reconsideration. United Kansas is preparing their legal arguments for when state ban comes down on their nominees, with the hope that the Kansas Supreme Court, which has not been shy in the past when it comes to articulating a higher, state-specific reading of constitutional rights, might see the value of what they’re doing, and thus begin some much-needed rethinking.

It's a long-shot, of course. But the need is real. State elections in Kansas today rarely provide much opportunity for that former mainstay of Kansas voters: the moderate Republican. United Kansas believes they still exist and want to find a way to give their views an electoral outlet which is currently denied them by the Republican leadership. (It’s not a surprise that most of the candidates which United Kansas is looking to nominate in order to challenge Kansas’s ban are Democrats).

Bringing back fusion voting alone won’t result in the structural and financial changes which American politics desperately needs. But it might be an important step in that direction. Here’s hoping the Kansas Supreme Court recognizes the freedoms which our state parties today aren’t serving particularly well, and leads us, and thus the country, in a better direction.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

People constantly complain about political parties. And yet, in a society where people are free to express themselves and assemble together, forming parties is both logical and a valuable way to organize disagreements into choices that can be voted on. What most people dislike, I think, aren’t the parties themselves, but the way they shape and are shaped by how those elections actually operate. Which is why what United Kansas is trying to do deserves attention.United Kansas is a new party in Kansas, and its main aim is to bring back fusion voting. Sometimes called multi-party nomination voting, it simply means that different parties, representing different sets of voters, can nominate the same person as a candidate for political office. Everyone who pays attention to politics is aware there are parties besides the Democrats and Republicans out there; we somewhat regularly see Libertarian party candidates, Green party candidates, and more on our ballots. Fusion voting allows that two parties—say the Republicans and the Libertarians—could choose to back the same person, and the same candidate would then be presented on the ballot with the endorsement of both.Fusion voting was commonplace in the first half of American history, before the electoral practices which invariably privilege two dominant parties became so entrenched. During the 19th century dozens of smaller parties regularly challenged or fused their nominees with those of other, larger parties, and by so doing obliged those major party organizations to embrace—or at least recognize—the priorities of various groups of voters. All of that made 19th-century elections, for all their racism, sexism, and corruption, in some important ways somewhat more representative than modern contests are (as the high voter turnouts a century ago demonstrate).Unfortunately, Kansas made fusion voting illegal over a hundred years ago, mostly because Republican legislators wanted to prevent populist candidates from winning with the support of both Democratic and People’s party voters. Most other states banned fusion voting in the early 20th century for similar reasons, with New York and a few other states remaining as exceptions.The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted state bans on fusion voting as not violating any constitutional freedoms. But as party primaries have become ever more controlling, with small factions of extreme activists within a party frequently defining the options for all of the party’s supporters, essentially robbing certain voters of any effective voice, that ruling is due some reconsideration. United Kansas is preparing their legal arguments for when state ban comes down on their nominees, with the hope that the Kansas Supreme Court, which has not been shy in the past when it comes to articulating a higher, state-specific reading of constitutional rights, might see the value of what they’re doing, and thus begin some much-needed rethinking.It's a long-shot, of course. But the need is real. State elections in Kansas today rarely provide much opportunity for that former mainstay of Kansas voters: the moderate Republican. United Kansas believes they still exist and want to find a way to give their views an electoral outlet which is currently denied them by the Republican leadership. (It’s not a surprise that most of the candidates which United Kansas is looking to nominate in order to challenge Kansas’s ban are Democrats).Bringing back fusion voting alone won’t result in the structural and financial changes which American politics desperately needs. But it might be an important step in that direction. Here’s hoping the Kansas Supreme Court recognizes the freedoms which our state parties today aren’t serving particularly well, and leads us, and thus the country, in a better direction.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita, KS

Why Bringing Back Fusion Voting Makes Sense

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-x4jb-pMEsg?si=50OqA7MYOln789SV" 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 Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Specialist Sara Bloom.

🎤Forward Ever: KS Dept. of Commerce Employee of the Year Sara Bloom

This is day 6 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

With widespread rains shutting down much of the hard red winter wheat areas this week, parts of eastern Kansas were still able to make progress on harvest. Today’s report focuses on soft red winter (SRW) wheat, which makes up only about five percent of Kansas’ wheat production. SRW wheat is typically lower in protein than hard red winter (HRW) wheat and tends to have higher yields.

In some areas of the state, like parts of northeast Kansas and far southeastern Kansas, SRW wheat is planted because the climate is more suitable for it than HRW, which makes up the majority of the state's wheat acreage.&nbsp;

Jay Armstrong is one of those producers in northeastern Kansas who plants SRW. He was one of the few in the state who was happy with last year’s harvest, and he expects this year’s crop to be even better. After starting harvest eight days ahead of normal, he anticipates an average yield of 80 to 100 bushels per acre, a little above average for his operation. He did apply fungicide to his wheat crop, noting if he had not sprayed, he would be a lot more worried about head scab this year, especially for wheat planted after corn.&nbsp;

“Good weather in March helped,” he said. “There’s usually too much rain that comes through our area in March, but this year, the rain stayed off.”&nbsp;

Armstrong is hoping the rain continues to stay away through harvest, but he reiterated that the rains can come as much as they like for the rest of the summer, particularly to benefit double-cropped soybeans. An earlier start of harvest meant he will get those soybeans in the ground sooner, adding he also cuts his wheat at 15 to 16 percent to give the double-crop extra time to flourish.&nbsp;

SRW grain marketing is different than for HRW. Armstrong explained he only has two months to market his SRW wheat and get it to buyers in Kansas City. He reported there is currently a 70-cent basis this year, compared to around 20-cent basis last year.&nbsp;

One county to the south of Armstrong, Alex Noll has high hopes for his wheat crop this year. This is his second year adding wheat into the rotation for his operation near Winchester in Jefferson County, which he said has worked out in his favor.&nbsp;

SRW wheat is a good fit for his location in the state compared to HRW with more resiliency for the local climate and environment. Noll expects to average more than 100 bushels per acre with fields planted to AgriMAXX 513, all of which will be delivered to the Kansas City market. He did not report much variability in fields and plans to double-crop fields to soybeans after finishing harvest.&nbsp;

He is new to planting wheat, so doesn’t have a baseline for a “normal” year, but he is expected to apply the management lessons he has learned from growing corn and adapting them to a new crop.&nbsp;

“I find it easier to learn something if you have no previous knowledge about it,” Noll said. “It makes me more open-minded to learn and try something new, compared to something I have done before, where I can get attached to those ways and may be more hesitant to change it.”

The other dominant geography for SRW wheat in Kansas is in the southeastern corner of the state. Along the border with Missouri, harvest in Crawford County started around June 7, according to Russ Smith, general manager of the McCune location of CoMark Equity. He reported the location has taken in close to 500,000 bushels of SRW wheat. He anticipates growers will finish up in the next week and the elevator will have between 600,000 and 700,000 bushels in the bin.&nbsp;

Test weights are averaging 58 to 60 pounds per bushel with yields above 100 bushels per acre. Early on, the elevator detected traces of fusarium head blight (FHB).&nbsp;

“Quality doesn’t seem to be as good as last year’s exceptional Kansas SRW crop,” Smith said. “We got so much rain in our area during grain fill, the wheat really took a toll during that critical point of growth.”

Two counties west and on the border with Oklahoma, Richard Felts farms near Coffeyville and Liberty in Montgomery County. Rains also hit hard there, but he said his SRW crop has been resilient and able to withstand hail that accompanied the moisture.&nbsp;

Felts reported the wheat came on fast early in the growing season but did not maintain that rapid pace as it matured like he thought it would. He double top-dressed his wheat in February and feels strongly about this year’s return on investment for applying fungicide. He expects average yields will fall between 75 and 106 bushels per acre with average test weights of 57 to 58 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;

“We seemed to hit things at the right times this year,” Felts said. “The window was short, but we got things to fall in place in our favor.”&nbsp;

Felts double-crops all of his wheat back to soybeans, noting a new soybean crushing plant in the area will add incentives for even more planted acres for the fall crop, Felts said he understands the importance of keeping wheat in his rotation, particularly the additional conservation benefits of planting wheat like anchoring critical topsoil.&nbsp;

“It’s an excellent crop to conserve the soil and land, while also having economic incentives, but also hold the soil in place in the wintertime,” he said.

Strong breezy weather with a return to warmer temperatures is drying up the fields that received rainfall earlier in this week. While appreciating a short break in the summertime sprint, Kansas producers are anxious to get back in the combine cab and continue cutting this year’s wheat crop. Watch for the official crop progress report and updates from the field in the next edition of the Kansas wheat harvest report, scheduled for Monday, June 24.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use #<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wheatharvest24&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=live">wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansaswheat">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kswheat">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasWheat">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718930218343.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES Kansas WheatThis is day 6 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.With widespread rains shutting down much of the hard red winter wheat areas this week, parts of eastern Kansas were still able to make progress on harvest. Today’s report focuses on soft red winter (SRW) wheat, which makes up only about five percent of Kansas’ wheat production. SRW wheat is typically lower in protein than hard red winter (HRW) wheat and tends to have higher yields.In some areas of the state, like parts of northeast Kansas and far southeastern Kansas, SRW wheat is planted because the climate is more suitable for it than HRW, which makes up the majority of the state's wheat acreage.&nbsp;Jay Armstrong is one of those producers in northeastern Kansas who plants SRW. He was one of the few in the state who was happy with last year’s harvest, and he expects this year’s crop to be even better. After starting harvest eight days ahead of normal, he anticipates an average yield of 80 to 100 bushels per acre, a little above average for his operation. He did apply fungicide to his wheat crop, noting if he had not sprayed, he would be a lot more worried about head scab this year, especially for wheat planted after corn.&nbsp;“Good weather in March helped,” he said. “There’s usually too much rain that comes through our area in March, but this year, the rain stayed off.”&nbsp;Armstrong is hoping the rain continues to stay away through harvest, but he reiterated that the rains can come as much as they like for the rest of the summer, particularly to benefit double-cropped soybeans. An earlier start of harvest meant he will get those soybeans in the ground sooner, adding he also cuts his wheat at 15 to 16 percent to give the double-crop extra time to flourish.&nbsp;SRW grain marketing is different than for HRW. Armstrong explained he only has two months to market his SRW wheat and get it to buyers in Kansas City. He reported there is currently a 70-cent basis this year, compared to around 20-cent basis last year.&nbsp;One county to the south of Armstrong, Alex Noll has high hopes for his wheat crop this year. This is his second year adding wheat into the rotation for his operation near Winchester in Jefferson County, which he said has worked out in his favor.&nbsp;SRW wheat is a good fit for his location in the state compared to HRW with more resiliency for the local climate and environment. Noll expects to average more than 100 bushels per acre with fields planted to AgriMAXX 513, all of which will be delivered to the Kansas City market. He did not report much variability in fields and plans to double-crop fields to soybeans after finishing harvest.&nbsp;He is new to planting wheat, so doesn’t have a baseline for a “normal” year, but he is expected to apply the management lessons he has learned from growing corn and adapting them to a new crop.&nbsp;“I find it easier to learn something if you have no previous knowledge about it,” Noll said. “It makes me more open-minded to learn and try something new, compared to something I have done before, where I can get attached to those ways and may be more hesitant to change it.”The other dominant geography for SRW wheat in Kansas is in the southeastern corner of the state. Along the border with Missouri, harvest in Crawford County started around June 7, according to Russ Smith, general manager of the McCune location of CoMark Equity. He reported the location has taken in close to 500,000 bushels of SRW wheat. He anticipates growers will finish up in the next week and the elevator will have between 600,000 and 700,000 bushels in the bin.&nbsp;Test weights are averaging 58 to 60 pounds per bushel with yields above 100 bushels per acre. Early on, the elevator detected traces of fusarium head blight (FHB).&nbsp;“Quality doesn’t seem to be as good as last year’s exceptional Kansas SRW crop,” Smith said. “We got so much rain in our area during grain fill, the wheat really took a toll during that critical point of growth.”Two counties west and on the border with Oklahoma, Richard Felts farms near Coffeyville and Liberty in Montgomery County. Rains also hit hard there, but he said his SRW crop has been resilient and able to withstand hail that accompanied the moisture.&nbsp;Felts reported the wheat came on fast early in the growing season but did not maintain that rapid pace as it matured like he thought it would. He double top-dressed his wheat in February and feels strongly about this year’s return on investment for applying fungicide. He expects average yields will fall between 75 and 106 bushels per acre with average test weights of 57 to 58 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;“We seemed to hit things at the right times this year,” Felts said. “The window was short, but we got things to fall in place in our favor.”&nbsp;Felts double-crops all of his wheat back to soybeans, noting a new soybean crushing plant in the area will add incentives for even more planted acres for the fall crop, Felts said he understands the importance of keeping wheat in his rotation, particularly the additional conservation benefits of planting wheat like anchoring critical topsoil.&nbsp;“It’s an excellent crop to conserve the soil and land, while also having economic incentives, but also hold the soil in place in the wintertime,” he said.Strong breezy weather with a return to warmer temperatures is drying up the fields that received rainfall earlier in this week. While appreciating a short break in the summertime sprint, Kansas producers are anxious to get back in the combine cab and continue cutting this year’s wheat crop. Watch for the official crop progress report and updates from the field in the next edition of the Kansas wheat harvest report, scheduled for Monday, June 24.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use #<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wheatharvest24&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=live">wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansaswheat">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kswheat">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasWheat">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Day 6, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report, SRW edition

By Samantha Pryor - Communications Director

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

Abilene, Kan.&nbsp;- The public is invited to join the&nbsp;June Lunch &amp; Learn program on Thursday, June 27, at 12 p.m. noon central time&nbsp;at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The hybrid program will be held in the Library building indoor courtyard and online via&nbsp;<a href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001v88DPVt5Z-I36u9kIJtmAcmWWcxcy23Ea8u4mKib9VxNmcWgDPNHEWajV676Vovaf3iUHc3xcgNtFXBPycpjvC4kLy9PWSUvR1fK6Ango4wm0zcRL1gdYIvCRnVzc31f-kRkB6k9pb1iz5lXILxK0ZDHjs_AQU22fy7HjIwTFceNfOCPiKEhnw==&amp;c=HEY9rHy4RqBxFNthJKCJZ8vyhqCUftJrPh4ZrVn66skrMrSJedzyag==&amp;ch=WMETl8j5SSJJoITuJ1uE7Dl5aNF16TA_t8Jxx5PQPhDhongzLhtvKw==" target="_blank">YouTube Livestream</a>. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 a.m. A light box-lunch will be provided on a first come, first served basis.

Guest speaker Juliet Morris will join us virtually for a discussion of the life and career of Chief Justice Earl Warren, nominated to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Warren joined the Court just before Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared public school segregation unconstitutional and led to wider civil rights victories in the 1960s. The Court under Chief Justice Warren continued to recognize and protect individual rights and freedoms.&nbsp;

Juliet Morris is the Education Specialist at the Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, DC. She joined the Society this year after spending 7 years as a social studies educator and curriculum writer in Baltimore County, Maryland. Currently, Morris is developing resources about the Warren Court (1953-1969) for the Society’s new civics education website, which makes Supreme Court history more accessible for teachers and students.&nbsp;

The 2024 Waging Peace program series is made possible courtesy of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001v88DPVt5Z-I36u9kIJtmAcmWWcxcy23Ea8u4mKib9VxNmcWgDPNHEWmBb-CeWhw5Ywvd6xSr5IKPjnKIHcXQIQx0LgjIl88HholWZE_SSTP1iSb16T1lH7chy1Hss4QPavejlqkWoASvenx_VzxV6MQdv43E4t9VepKxV43Fz8A=&amp;c=HEY9rHy4RqBxFNthJKCJZ8vyhqCUftJrPh4ZrVn66skrMrSJedzyag==&amp;ch=WMETl8j5SSJJoITuJ1uE7Dl5aNF16TA_t8Jxx5PQPhDhongzLhtvKw==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>&nbsp;with generous support from the Jeffcoat Memorial Foundation.

By Samantha Pryor - Communications DirectorEisenhower Presidential Library and MuseumAbilene, Kan.&nbsp;- The public is invited to join the&nbsp;June Lunch &amp; Learn program on Thursday, June 27, at 12 p.m. noon central time&nbsp;at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The hybrid program will be held in the Library building indoor courtyard and online via&nbsp;<a href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001v88DPVt5Z-I36u9kIJtmAcmWWcxcy23Ea8u4mKib9VxNmcWgDPNHEWajV676Vovaf3iUHc3xcgNtFXBPycpjvC4kLy9PWSUvR1fK6Ango4wm0zcRL1gdYIvCRnVzc31f-kRkB6k9pb1iz5lXILxK0ZDHjs_AQU22fy7HjIwTFceNfOCPiKEhnw==&amp;c=HEY9rHy4RqBxFNthJKCJZ8vyhqCUftJrPh4ZrVn66skrMrSJedzyag==&amp;ch=WMETl8j5SSJJoITuJ1uE7Dl5aNF16TA_t8Jxx5PQPhDhongzLhtvKw==" target="_blank">YouTube Livestream</a>. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 a.m. A light box-lunch will be provided on a first come, first served basis.Guest speaker Juliet Morris will join us virtually for a discussion of the life and career of Chief Justice Earl Warren, nominated to the Supreme Court by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Warren joined the Court just before Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared public school segregation unconstitutional and led to wider civil rights victories in the 1960s. The Court under Chief Justice Warren continued to recognize and protect individual rights and freedoms.&nbsp;Juliet Morris is the Education Specialist at the Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, DC. She joined the Society this year after spending 7 years as a social studies educator and curriculum writer in Baltimore County, Maryland. Currently, Morris is developing resources about the Warren Court (1953-1969) for the Society’s new civics education website, which makes Supreme Court history more accessible for teachers and students.&nbsp;The 2024 Waging Peace program series is made possible courtesy of the&nbsp;<a href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001v88DPVt5Z-I36u9kIJtmAcmWWcxcy23Ea8u4mKib9VxNmcWgDPNHEWmBb-CeWhw5Ywvd6xSr5IKPjnKIHcXQIQx0LgjIl88HholWZE_SSTP1iSb16T1lH7chy1Hss4QPavejlqkWoASvenx_VzxV6MQdv43E4t9VepKxV43Fz8A=&amp;c=HEY9rHy4RqBxFNthJKCJZ8vyhqCUftJrPh4ZrVn66skrMrSJedzyag==&amp;ch=WMETl8j5SSJJoITuJ1uE7Dl5aNF16TA_t8Jxx5PQPhDhongzLhtvKw==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>&nbsp;with generous support from the Jeffcoat Memorial Foundation.

Chief Justice Earl Warren﻿: Protecting People  Lunch & Learn Series

The annual Stuff the Bus campaign begins in July and continues into early August. This is where school supplies are collected for children in Geary USD 475, Saint Xavier School and Chapman USD 473.

Volunteers are needed for the program, which averages more than 300 hours per year.

United Way Executive Director Nichole Mader said Stuff the Bus will run on Saturday’s at Wal-Mart and Dillons.&nbsp; Dates and times are:

There will be Business drop locations and all supplies are picked up throughout the week.

The supplies collected will be turned over to teachers for distribution to students returning to school.

Contact United Way at 238-2117 or director@unitedwayjcgc.org

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThe annual Stuff the Bus campaign begins in July and continues into early August. This is where school supplies are collected for children in Geary USD 475, Saint Xavier School and Chapman USD 473.Volunteers are needed for the program, which averages more than 300 hours per year.United Way Executive Director Nichole Mader said Stuff the Bus will run on Saturday’s at Wal-Mart and Dillons.&nbsp; Dates and times are:--July 20th 10AM-3PM-- July 27th 10AM-3PM--Aug 3rd 10AM-3PMThere will be Business drop locations and all supplies are picked up throughout the week.Buses/boxes will be collected August 5thThe supplies collected will be turned over to teachers for distribution to students returning to school.Contact United Way at 238-2117 or director@unitedwayjcgc.org( Cover photo - Pixabay )

Volunteers are needed for Stuff the Bus 

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Joseph Mason, Failure to appear, arrested 06/17

Jacob Tellor, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 06/17

Julian Evans, Driving while license canceled/suspended/revoked, arrested 06/17

Kyanna Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 06/17

James Fierreira, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 06/18

Odarius Green, Criminal trespass, Domestic battery, arrested 06/18

Heriberto Benitez-Duran, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 06/19

Marco Foreman, Failure to appear, arrested 06/19

Tatyana Jenkins, Failure to appear, arrested 06/20

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/2024/6/1718906652006.jpeg" alt="Jermaine Betts, Aggravated violate offender registration act, Violate offender registration act, arrested 06/17" />
 <figcaption>Jermaine Betts, Aggravated violate offender registration act, Violate offender registration act, arrested 06/17</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718906720008.jpeg" alt="Anna Fuentes, Disorderly conduct, Fighting words or noisy conduct to cause resentment, Violation of protection order, Domestic battery, Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, Aggravated assault, Use of a deadly weapon, arrested 06/18" />
 <figcaption>Anna Fuentes, Disorderly conduct, Fighting words or noisy conduct to cause resentment, Violation of protection order, Domestic battery, Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, Aggravated assault, Use of a deadly weapon, arrested 06/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718906862827.jpeg" alt="Neftali De Jesus Gonzalez, Failure to appear, arrested 06/18" />
 <figcaption>Neftali De Jesus Gonzalez, Failure to appear, arrested 06/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718906899891.jpeg" alt="Christina Sharpsteen, Failure to appear, arrested 06/18" />
 <figcaption>Christina Sharpsteen, Failure to appear, arrested 06/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718906935351.jpeg" alt="Jimmie King, Failure to appear, arrested 06/18" />
 <figcaption>Jimmie King, Failure to appear, arrested 06/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718906968423.jpeg" alt="Jason Oder, Failure to appear, Possession of stolen property (Value $1,500 to $25,000), Criminal damage to property (Value &lt;$1,000), Burglary, Dwelling to commit felony, Theft, Domestic violence or sexually motivated crime, Theft &gt;$1,500 &lt;$25,000, Pocket picking, arrested 06/18" />
 <figcaption>Jason Oder, Failure to appear, Possession of stolen property (Value $1,500 to $25,000), Criminal damage to property (Value &lt;$1,000), Burglary, Dwelling to commit felony, Theft, Domestic violence or sexually motivated crime, Theft &gt;$1,500 &lt;$25,000, Pocket picking, arrested 06/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718907116898.jpeg" alt="Donte Roberts, Domestic battery, Aggravated domestic battery, arrested 06/18" />
 <figcaption>Donte Roberts, Domestic battery, Aggravated domestic battery, arrested 06/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718907279538.jpeg" alt="Larry Allen, Failure to appear, arrested 06/19" />
 <figcaption>Larry Allen, Failure to appear, arrested 06/19</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718907315365.jpeg" alt="Nolan Stutler, Outside warrant, arrested 06/19" />
 <figcaption>Nolan Stutler, Outside warrant, arrested 06/19</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Joseph Mason, Failure to appear, arrested 06/17Jacob Tellor, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, arrested 06/17Julian Evans, Driving while license canceled/suspended/revoked, arrested 06/17Kyanna Jackson, Failure to appear, arrested 06/17James Fierreira, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 06/18Odarius Green, Criminal trespass, Domestic battery, arrested 06/18Heriberto Benitez-Duran, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 06/19Marco Foreman, Failure to appear, arrested 06/19Tatyana Jenkins, Failure to appear, arrested 06/20Recent 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 June 18-20

Assistant Police Chief Cory Odell announced this week that five new Junction City police recruits have traveled to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center to start basic training. There are seven JCPD officers now in training. Two will return this summer and five will be back in the fall.

Odell updated the Junction City Commission on the subject this week.

Assistant Police Chief Cory Odell announced this week that five new Junction City police recruits have traveled to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center to start basic training. There are seven JCPD officers now in training. Two will return this summer and five will be back in the fall.Odell updated the Junction City Commission on the subject this week.

New police officers train at Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center

Tourism Economics&nbsp;is a company utilized by the Geary Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau to see the direct impact of efforts on the community. They have a singular objective: combine an understanding of the travel sector with proven economic tools to answer the most important questions asked.

According to information from the CVB they have reported that:

Their analysis of the&nbsp;Geary&nbsp;County, Kansas visitor economy begins with direct visitor spending and analyzes the downstream effects of this spending on the broader economy.

The analysis draws on the following data sources:

CVB news releaseTourism Economics&nbsp;is a company utilized by the Geary Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau to see the direct impact of efforts on the community. They have a singular objective: combine an understanding of the travel sector with proven economic tools to answer the most important questions asked.According to information from the CVB they have reported that:<ul>
 <li>Visitor spending in 2022 saw a third consecutive year of growth across all the spending categories.&nbsp;Geary&nbsp;County&nbsp;visitor spending in 2022 increased $3 million (3%) to reach $102 million, breaking the $100 million dollar benchmark for the first time.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Employment supported by visitor activity increased by 13 jobs (2%) in 2022, reaching 879 jobs.&nbsp;Also, in 2022, tourism in&nbsp;Geary&nbsp;County&nbsp;supported 1-in-8 jobs.</li>
 </ul>Their analysis of the&nbsp;Geary&nbsp;County, Kansas visitor economy begins with direct visitor spending and analyzes the downstream effects of this spending on the broader economy.The analysis draws on the following data sources:<ul>
 <li>Kansas Department of Revenue: tax collections by industry, including bed and sales tax receipts</li><li>Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics: employment and wage data, by industry</li><li>STR: lodging performance data, including room demand, room rates, occupancy, and room revenue</li>
 </ul>