RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a teen in custody.

Just after 3a.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for burglary and criminal damage to property at Casey's General Store in the 300 block of Riley Ave. in Ogden, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Someone had broken a window with a baseball bat, entered through the broken window, and stole approximately $250 worth of vaping pods. The damage to the window is worth approximately $500. 

Police responded to the call and quickly identified the suspect as Estevan Rochin, 16, of Ogden. 

Just after 6a.m. Wednesday, police arrested him on requested charges of burglary and criminal damage to property. Rochin will be processed through juvenile intake and released to a guardian.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a teen in custody.Just after 3a.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for burglary and criminal damage to property at Casey's General Store in the 300 block of Riley Ave. in Ogden, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Someone had broken a window with a baseball bat, entered through the broken window, and stole approximately $250 worth of vaping pods. The damage to the window is worth approximately $500. Police responded to the call and quickly identified the suspect as Estevan Rochin, 16, of Ogden. Just after 6a.m. Wednesday, police arrested him on requested charges of burglary and criminal damage to property. Rochin will be processed through juvenile intake and released to a guardian.

RCPD: Teen used baseball bat in convenience store burglary

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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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/2023/3/1677764929396.jpeg" alt="Shymee Rashawed Bradley, Maximum speed limits; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Misd; Unk. conv.; Vehicle liability insurance; Liability coverage required; arrested 3/2" />
 <figcaption>Shymee Rashawed Bradley, Maximum speed limits; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Misd; Unk. conv.; Vehicle liability insurance; Liability coverage required; arrested 3/2</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677765105101.jpeg" alt="Caitlin Breann Dockstader, Driving under the influence of drugs/alc; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; transporting open container; arrested 3/2" />
 <figcaption>Caitlin Breann Dockstader, Driving under the influence of drugs/alc; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; transporting open container; arrested 3/2</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677765343978.jpeg" alt="Anna C. Fuentes, Aggravated domestic battery; choke in rude manner; family member/dating relationship; arrested 3/1" />
 <figcaption>Anna C. Fuentes, Aggravated domestic battery; choke in rude manner; family member/dating relationship; arrested 3/1</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677765412497.jpeg" alt="Sidney James Stalford, Interference with LEO; unknown circumstance; misdemeanor; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Pedestrians on highways; arrested 3/1" />
 <figcaption>Sidney James Stalford, Interference with LEO; unknown circumstance; misdemeanor; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Pedestrians on highways; arrested 3/1</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677765518910.jpeg" alt="Michael Glen Stewart, Domestic battery; Unlawful damage to property; arrested 3/1" />
 <figcaption>Michael Glen Stewart, Domestic battery; Unlawful damage to property; arrested 3/1</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677765623048.jpeg" alt="Taron Dion Traylor, Failure to appear; arrested 3/1" />
 <figcaption>Taron Dion Traylor, Failure to appear; arrested 3/1</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos March 2

CLAY CENTER — Clay County Medical Center has announced&nbsp; it
 has been recognized as a 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital. 
Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual 
recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s 
rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital 
Performance INDEX.

“We are honored to be included in the Top 100 Critical Access  Hospital's within the United States,” said Austin Gillard, CEO of  CCMC.&nbsp; “It
 is a reflection of our  outstanding team members that are dedicated to 
providing exceptional care to  the communities we serve in North Central
 Kansas.”

                  Now in its 13th  year, the INDEX 
has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and  
objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly 
 available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems
 with  rural affiliates, hospital associations and state offices of 
rural health  across the country to measure and monitor performance 
across a variety of areas  impacting hospital operations and finance.

 “Across the nation,  top 100 rural providers 
continue to serve as a source of inspiration for  hospital leadership 
teams and staff working diligently every day to improve the  delivery of
 care within their local communities,” said Michael Topchik,  National Leader, the Chartis Center for Rural Health. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677525217849.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseCLAY CENTER — Clay County Medical Center has announced&nbsp; it
 has been recognized as a 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital. 
Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual 
recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s 
rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital 
Performance INDEX. 
 “We are honored to be included in the Top 100 Critical Access Hospital's within the United States,” said Austin Gillard, CEO of CCMC.&nbsp; “It
 is a reflection of our outstanding team members that are dedicated to 
providing exceptional care to the communities we serve in North Central
 Kansas.” Now in its 13th year, the INDEX 
has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and 
objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly 
 available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems
 with rural affiliates, hospital associations and state offices of 
rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance 
across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance. “Across the nation, top 100 rural providers 
continue to serve as a source of inspiration for hospital leadership 
teams and staff working diligently every day to improve the delivery of
 care within their local communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, the Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Clay Center hospital recognized as Top 100 Critical Access Hospital

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher It’s farm bill time again. The discussions are beginning to happen and starting to heat up. Over the past couple of months, the talks have switched from continuing on with a farm bill with similar policies as the 2018 version or options that are dramatically different. What will happen is really anyone’s guess, and that is both a challenge and an opportunity for Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture in general. There are a couple of lines of thinking when it comes to what the farm bill might look like, both are tied to crop insurance. Crop insurance is probably the number one concern when it comes to a new farm bill. As ag producers we know that we rely on crop insurance to help us through weather events like drought and fluctuations in prices and income. It is our way of evening out income in a business that sees wide swings. One school of thought is to tie crop insurance premiums to what we are doing to help with climate change. Kansas Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau policy would be very much opposed to this. We all know we are the best at conserving our natural resources, and no one care more about the environment than farmers and ranchers. The heartburn is in having practices mandated by those who may not understand agriculture and why we do what we do. Worse yet those mandates could come from others who might be opponents of modern agriculture. Another idea is to tie crop insurance premiums to a producer’s income. Farm Bureau would also be opposed to such a means test. Again, risk management and protection should not be limited to one farmer over another. We also know that many of our large producers are multi-generational. Both of these options are only in the beginning level and that is why each of us can play such an important role as the debate over the next farm bill gets started. It is important for each of us to reach out to our members of Congress to let them know how important the farm bill is for agriculture and specifically how important crop insurance is. Please, write, email or call your representative and senators and tell them how this policy affects you. There will also be opportunities for us to add input at meetings and town halls, be sure you attend any and all that you can. Remember we are less than 2 percent of the population and as the other 98 percent gets farther removed from farms and ranches, they do not understand the importance of the farm bill. In this volatile economy and the long-term drought many of us have suffered through, it is just as critical as it ever has been to make our heard. If we do not advocate for ourselves, no one else will. Watch your emails and texts for alerts from Kansas Farm Bureau and, please, respond when asked. We are in the beginning stages of discussions and hopefully we can have a say in building a better farm bill. "Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="Glenn Brunkow&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Glenn Brunkow&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher It’s farm bill time again. The discussions are beginning to happen and starting to heat up. Over the past couple of months, the talks have switched from continuing on with a farm bill with similar policies as the 2018 version or options that are dramatically different. What will happen is really anyone’s guess, and that is both a challenge and an opportunity for Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture in general. There are a couple of lines of thinking when it comes to what the farm bill might look like, both are tied to crop insurance. Crop insurance is probably the number one concern when it comes to a new farm bill. As ag producers we know that we rely on crop insurance to help us through weather events like drought and fluctuations in prices and income. It is our way of evening out income in a business that sees wide swings. One school of thought is to tie crop insurance premiums to what we are doing to help with climate change. Kansas Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau policy would be very much opposed to this. We all know we are the best at conserving our natural resources, and no one care more about the environment than farmers and ranchers. The heartburn is in having practices mandated by those who may not understand agriculture and why we do what we do. Worse yet those mandates could come from others who might be opponents of modern agriculture. Another idea is to tie crop insurance premiums to a producer’s income. Farm Bureau would also be opposed to such a means test. Again, risk management and protection should not be limited to one farmer over another. We also know that many of our large producers are multi-generational. Both of these options are only in the beginning level and that is why each of us can play such an important role as the debate over the next farm bill gets started. It is important for each of us to reach out to our members of Congress to let them know how important the farm bill is for agriculture and specifically how important crop insurance is. Please, write, email or call your representative and senators and tell them how this policy affects you. There will also be opportunities for us to add input at meetings and town halls, be sure you attend any and all that you can. Remember we are less than 2 percent of the population and as the other 98 percent gets farther removed from farms and ranches, they do not understand the importance of the farm bill. In this volatile economy and the long-term drought many of us have suffered through, it is just as critical as it ever has been to make our heard. If we do not advocate for ourselves, no one else will. Watch your emails and texts for alerts from Kansas Farm Bureau and, please, respond when asked. We are in the beginning stages of discussions and hopefully we can have a say in building a better farm bill. "Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Building a better farm bill

TOPEKA — This week,&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly announced more than $2&nbsp;million in grant awards to&nbsp;improve how&nbsp;the&nbsp;state supports&nbsp;victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking.&nbsp;

These grants are provided through the Federal Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors Violence Against Women Act Formula Grant Program (S.T.O.P. VAWA). The&nbsp;grant&nbsp;program supports efforts&nbsp;to respond&nbsp;to crimes against women&nbsp;by&nbsp;developing,&nbsp;training, or expanding units&nbsp;of&nbsp;law enforcement&nbsp;officers, prosecutors, judges,&nbsp;and court personnel,&nbsp;specifically targeting crimes against women.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Among the agencies receiving funding are:

• Crisis Center, Junction City Domestic Violence Task Force,&nbsp;$52,530 • Crisis Center, Riley Co. Domestic Violence Task Force,&nbsp;$49,642

“We must do all we can to&nbsp;ensure&nbsp;survivors&nbsp;of domestic violence and sexual assault have the&nbsp;support and resources&nbsp;they need&nbsp;to&nbsp;navigate their traumatic experience and demand&nbsp;justice,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“This funding strengthens&nbsp;Kansas’ victim services and legal assistance programs&nbsp;to&nbsp;advance that mission&nbsp;and promote coordinated community responses&nbsp;for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking.”&nbsp;

Funds from the Federal Sexual Assault Services Program assist programs in providing victims of sexual assault with crisis intervention and accompaniment and advocacy assistance through the medical and criminal justice processes. The funds also provide educational information to survivors of sexual assault.&nbsp;

Funds are available through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.&nbsp;

Office of the GovernorTOPEKA — This week,&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly announced more than $2&nbsp;million in grant awards to&nbsp;improve how&nbsp;the&nbsp;state supports&nbsp;victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking.&nbsp;These grants are provided through the Federal Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors Violence Against Women Act Formula Grant Program (S.T.O.P. VAWA). The&nbsp;grant&nbsp;program supports efforts&nbsp;to respond&nbsp;to crimes against women&nbsp;by&nbsp;developing,&nbsp;training, or expanding units&nbsp;of&nbsp;law enforcement&nbsp;officers, prosecutors, judges,&nbsp;and court personnel,&nbsp;specifically targeting crimes against women.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677516078857.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Among the agencies receiving funding are:• Crisis Center, Junction City Domestic Violence Task Force,&nbsp;$52,530 • Crisis Center, Riley Co. Domestic Violence Task Force,&nbsp;$49,642 “We must do all we can to&nbsp;ensure&nbsp;survivors&nbsp;of domestic violence and sexual assault have the&nbsp;support and resources&nbsp;they need&nbsp;to&nbsp;navigate their traumatic experience and demand&nbsp;justice,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“This funding strengthens&nbsp;Kansas’ victim services and legal assistance programs&nbsp;to&nbsp;advance that mission&nbsp;and promote coordinated community responses&nbsp;for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking.”&nbsp;Funds from the Federal Sexual Assault Services Program assist programs in providing victims of sexual assault with crisis intervention and accompaniment and advocacy assistance through the medical and criminal justice processes. The funds also provide educational information to survivors of sexual assault.&nbsp;Funds are available through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.&nbsp;

Geary, Riley county agencies receive funds to support victims

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating multiple reports of&nbsp;hoax shooting calls at schools across Kansas Wednesday.

The Junction City Police Dispatch received a 911-call just after 8:30 am on Wednesday morning, the caller claimed there was an active threat at the Junction City High School. Dispatchers identified the call as a possible SWATing call and immediately dispatched officers to the school. Dispatchers also contacted USD 475 about the situation. Officers at the school and school officials quickly confirmed there was no active threat at any of the schools within the district.&nbsp;

Just after 8a.m., police in Manhattan received a single call  of an active shooter at Manhattan West Campus, 2100 Poyntz Avenue. Dispatchers quickly identified the call as a potential swatting call and dispatched the police department's School Resource Officer who immediately found the information from the call to be false, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.

A short time later, police responded to a hoax call about an active shooter at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Street in Lawrence, according to police spokesperson Laurie McCabe.

Although, the School Resource Officer inside the school immediately identified this as a swatting incident, police responded swiftly and involved all available officers in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition, police received a single call of an active shooter at Highland Park High School,&nbsp;2424 SE California Ave, Topeka, according to a social media report from Topeka Police.

Officers responded, cleared the school and surrounding area and determined there was no threat to the students, staff or the school. Police is looking into the false report of an active shooter,

At around 9:15a.m. Wednesday, the Garden City Police Communications Center received a call of an active shooter at Garden City High School,  2720 Buffalo Wy Blvd. in Garden City. Local law enforcement responded accordingly and cleared the school and surrounding area. This was a false call.

Officers in Wichita also responded to report of an active shooter at North High School, 1437 N Rochester Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. Police responded within minutes and quickly determined that the call was false.

There are no reports of injury at any of the schools as a result of the calls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677682971206.png" alt="Police at Highland Park High School Wednesday-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at Highland Park High School Wednesday-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating multiple reports of&nbsp;hoax shooting calls at schools across Kansas Wednesday.The Junction City Police Dispatch received a 911-call just after 8:30 am on Wednesday morning, the caller claimed there was an active threat at the Junction City High School. Dispatchers identified the call as a possible SWATing call and immediately dispatched officers to the school. Dispatchers also contacted USD 475 about the situation. Officers at the school and school officials quickly confirmed there was no active threat at any of the schools within the district.&nbsp;Just after 8a.m., police in Manhattan received a single call of an active shooter at Manhattan West Campus, 2100 Poyntz Avenue. Dispatchers quickly identified the call as a potential swatting call and dispatched the police department's School Resource Officer who immediately found the information from the call to be false, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">What happens when LKPD gets an active shooter call? The below video shows our response from the time the call came in, to when our SRO identified the call as a hoax. <a href="https://t.co/4hrcRHN7K0">pic.twitter.com/4hrcRHN7K0</a>&mdash; Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) <a href="https://twitter.com/LawrenceKS_PD/status/1631005752922980352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A short time later, police responded to a hoax call about an active shooter at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Street in Lawrence, according to police spokesperson Laurie McCabe.Although, the School Resource Officer inside the school immediately identified this as a swatting incident, police responded swiftly and involved all available officers in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, police received a single call of an active shooter at Highland Park High School,&nbsp;2424 SE California Ave, Topeka, according to a social media report from Topeka Police.Officers responded, cleared the school and surrounding area and determined there was no threat to the students, staff or the school. Police is looking into the false report of an active shooter,At around 9:15a.m. Wednesday, the Garden City Police Communications Center received a call of an active shooter at Garden City High School, 2720 Buffalo Wy Blvd. in Garden City. Local law enforcement responded accordingly and cleared the school and surrounding area. This was a false call.Officers in Wichita also responded to report of an active shooter at North High School, 1437 N Rochester Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. Police responded within minutes and quickly determined that the call was false.There are no reports of injury at any of the schools as a result of the calls.

🎥Hoax active shooter calls at school in Junction City; across Kan.

At around 9:15a.m. Wednesday, the Garden City Police Communications Center received a call of an active shooter at Garden City High School,&nbsp; 2720 Buffalo Wy Blvd. in Garden City. Local law enforcement responded accordingly and cleared the school and surrounding area. This was a false call.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677682971206.png" alt="Police at Highland Park High School Wednesday-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at Highland Park High School Wednesday-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating multiple reports of&nbsp;hoax shooting calls at schools across Kansas Wednesday.Just after 8a.m., police in Manhattan received a single call of an active shooter at Manhattan West Campus, 2100 Poyntz Avenue. Dispatchers quickly identified the call as a potential swatting call and dispatched the police department's School Resource Officer who immediately found the information from the call to be false, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">What happens when LKPD gets an active shooter call? The below video shows our response from the time the call came in, to when our SRO identified the call as a hoax. <a href="https://t.co/4hrcRHN7K0">pic.twitter.com/4hrcRHN7K0</a>&mdash; Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) <a href="https://twitter.com/LawrenceKS_PD/status/1631005752922980352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A short time later, police responded to a hoax call about an active shooter at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Street in Lawrence, according to police spokesperson Laurie McCabe.Although, the School Resource Officer inside the school immediately identified this as a swatting incident, police responded swiftly and involved all available officers in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, police received a single call of an active shooter at Highland Park High School,&nbsp;2424 SE California Ave, Topeka, according to a social media report from Topeka Police.Officers responded, cleared the school and surrounding area and determined there was no threat to the students, staff or the school. Police is looking into the false report of an active shooter,At around 9:15a.m. Wednesday, the Garden City Police Communications Center received a call of an active shooter at Garden City High School,&nbsp; 2720 Buffalo Wy Blvd. in Garden City. Local law enforcement responded accordingly and cleared the school and surrounding area. This was a false call.Officers in Wichita also responded to report of an active shooter at North High School, 1437 N Rochester Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. Police responded within minutes and quickly determined that the call was false.There are no reports of injury at any of the schools as a result of the calls.

🎥Hoax active shooter calls at school in Manhattan, across Kan.

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/2023/3/1677683790113.jpeg" alt="Neftali De Jesus Gonzalez, DUI-Liquor/Drugs(1st offense); Transporting open container of alcohol; No signal/unsafe turning/stopping; improper turn; improper stop or turn signal; cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license; arrested 2/28" />
 <figcaption>Neftali De Jesus Gonzalez, DUI-Liquor/Drugs(1st offense); Transporting open container of alcohol; No signal/unsafe turning/stopping; improper turn; improper stop or turn signal; cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license; arrested 2/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677684010996.jpeg" alt="Kolby Jerath Hughston, Aggravated assault; use of deadly weapon; Criminal damage to property; Misdemeanor" />
 <figcaption>Kolby Jerath Hughston, Aggravated assault; use of deadly weapon; Criminal damage to property; Misdemeanor</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos March 1

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club is a “Friend of Youth” organization.&nbsp; The local club annually donates money to 17 different youth groups in Geary County.&nbsp; Members are engaged in activities that support the growth and development of youth, our community, and our youth.&nbsp; Celebration of Optimism meetings are held every Wednesday at the Hampton Inn in Junction City.&nbsp; A free breakfast buffet is offered to those who attend for the first time beginning at 6:30 a.m.&nbsp; Meetings begin at 6:50 a.m.

On March 1, four new members joined the club. They include Ryan Wilson, Steven Green, Lyn Green and Mike Taylor.

Local businesses that sponsor the club with advertisement money or in-kind service include Armed Forces Bank; Central National Bank; D.E.L. Motors; Holm Auto Center in Abilene and Salina; Jim Clark Chevrolet; NextHome Unlimited; Coldwell Banker and Patriot Realty; Re/Max Signature Properties; Cardinal Insurance, Brian Field, Agent; State Farm Insurance, Heath Welch, Agent; JC’s BBQ &amp; Grill and Hampton Inn.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677684985980.jpeg" alt="Pictured (left to right) Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President; Ryan Wilson; Steven Green; Kansas Optimist Club Governor, Doug Jardine and Mike Taylor. Not pictured is Lyn Green." />
 <figcaption>Pictured (left to right) Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President; Ryan Wilson; Steven Green; Kansas Optimist Club Governor, Doug Jardine and Mike Taylor. Not pictured is Lyn Green.</figcaption>
 </figure>The JC Breakfast Optimist Club is a “Friend of Youth” organization.&nbsp; The local club annually donates money to 17 different youth groups in Geary County.&nbsp; Members are engaged in activities that support the growth and development of youth, our community, and our youth.&nbsp; Celebration of Optimism meetings are held every Wednesday at the Hampton Inn in Junction City.&nbsp; A free breakfast buffet is offered to those who attend for the first time beginning at 6:30 a.m.&nbsp; Meetings begin at 6:50 a.m.On March 1, four new members joined the club. They include Ryan Wilson, Steven Green, Lyn Green and Mike Taylor.Local businesses that sponsor the club with advertisement money or in-kind service include Armed Forces Bank; Central National Bank; D.E.L. Motors; Holm Auto Center in Abilene and Salina; Jim Clark Chevrolet; NextHome Unlimited; Coldwell Banker and Patriot Realty; Re/Max Signature Properties; Cardinal Insurance, Brian Field, Agent; State Farm Insurance, Heath Welch, Agent; JC’s BBQ &amp; Grill and Hampton Inn.&nbsp;

Optimist welcome four new members

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon in connection with a burglary.

Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 29-year-old Joseph Keehn of Havensville for his Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The warrant stems from a February 10, 2018, incident where Keehn reportedly pointed a gun at three victims while burglarizing a car. 

Keehn was originally arrested for two counts of aggravated assault and theft on February 11, 2018. Keehn remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $80,000. He has previous convictions for obstruction and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He has been out of prison since December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677686031146.png" alt="Keehn-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Keehn-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon in connection with a burglary.Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 29-year-old Joseph Keehn of Havensville for his Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The warrant stems from a February 10, 2018, incident where Keehn reportedly pointed a gun at three victims while burglarizing a car. Keehn was originally arrested for two counts of aggravated assault and theft on February 11, 2018. Keehn remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $80,000. He has previous convictions for obstruction and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He has been out of prison since December.

RCPD: Kansas felon jailed for a 2018 burglary

For the first time, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCHSUSD475?__cft__[0]=AZUc5_TFZfYa7PFetQVVyapmBR1-GM0orxlmYDRsXG76jYacgx0Pa8_ERCndkzByWXJsSPp9P319BV6f5KhyO4DhW4wz706laAIFXbmD9KMqJkTUHrgS8DK9MtRU_JANGk6se2m8FkepkmVvfsnJHFIs7YYf2SuYPuu2gAJ1733eh76v8MPtl0jdLb2uvjgnhHo&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City High School USD 475</a> Performing Arts will be presenting "Mean Girls."

Performances will be at 7 p.m. March 8 and 10. Tickers are $5 at the door.&nbsp;

Call (785) 717-4263 for more information or to make reservations.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677525493553.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For the first time, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCHSUSD475?__cft__[0]=AZUc5_TFZfYa7PFetQVVyapmBR1-GM0orxlmYDRsXG76jYacgx0Pa8_ERCndkzByWXJsSPp9P319BV6f5KhyO4DhW4wz706laAIFXbmD9KMqJkTUHrgS8DK9MtRU_JANGk6se2m8FkepkmVvfsnJHFIs7YYf2SuYPuu2gAJ1733eh76v8MPtl0jdLb2uvjgnhHo&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City High School USD 475</a> Performing Arts will be presenting "Mean Girls."Performances will be at 7 p.m. March 8 and 10. Tickers are $5 at the door.&nbsp;Call (785) 717-4263 for more information or to make reservations.&nbsp;

Junction City High's performance of 'Mean Girls' scheduled

Smoke Modeling Tool to be activated on Wednesday

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment reminds Kansans that March and April are the months 
when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within
 the Flint Hills. 

These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie
 ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from 
species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle.
 Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective 
in managing rangeland resources. 

Smoke from the burns can 
influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management
 techniques is vital to reduce air quality and health impacts.

KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLnNvbm9tYXRlY2hkYXRhLmNvbS92aWV3L3N1bW1hcnkvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.36ynKJgYtvzx9ebAf0MH7QUZGD6RKxdV_NEbutlpUa8/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">Kansas smoke modeling tool&nbsp;</a>on
 March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer 
models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the 
potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. There 
are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills
 of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“This is the thirteenth year we
 have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire 
community,”&nbsp;said Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of 
Air. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize 
smoke modeling resources such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate 
potential air quality impacts.”

Prescribed burns release large 
amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. 
Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy 
individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, 
coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory
 issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly are 
more vulnerable to experience symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:

●Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.

●More vulnerable people should remain indoors.

●Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.

●Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

●Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.

For
 more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills 
Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling 
tool, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLm9yZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.bSqDT4mTP6n0OAqAyJRohNtYXtYpiPbQMr2Q4qDkEQY/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">http://ksfire.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677537285603.jpeg" alt="Prescribed burning in the Flint Hills. Photo courtesy Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management " />
 <figcaption>Prescribed burning in the Flint Hills. Photo courtesy Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Smoke Modeling Tool to be activated on Wednesday</h2>KDHETOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment reminds Kansans that March and April are the months 
when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within
 the Flint Hills. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie
 ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from 
species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle.
 Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective 
in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can 
influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management
 techniques is vital to reduce air quality and health impacts.KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLnNvbm9tYXRlY2hkYXRhLmNvbS92aWV3L3N1bW1hcnkvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.36ynKJgYtvzx9ebAf0MH7QUZGD6RKxdV_NEbutlpUa8/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">Kansas smoke modeling tool&nbsp;</a>on
 March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer 
models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the 
potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. There 
are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills
 of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.“This is the thirteenth year we
 have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire 
community,”&nbsp;said Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of 
Air. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize 
smoke modeling resources such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate 
potential air quality impacts.”Prescribed burns release large 
amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. 
Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy 
individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, 
coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory
 issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly are 
more vulnerable to experience symptoms.Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:●Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.●More vulnerable people should remain indoors.●Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.●Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.●Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.For
 more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills 
Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling 
tool, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLm9yZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.bSqDT4mTP6n0OAqAyJRohNtYXtYpiPbQMr2Q4qDkEQY/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">http://ksfire.org</a>.

Health advisory, safety tips issued for Flint Hills burning season

MANHATTAN — The 2022-2023 <a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">McCain Performance Series</a> presents "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium.

"R.E.S.P.E.C.T." is a tribute to the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha 
Franklin. Honoring the impassioned and transcendent music of one of 
America's most beloved singer-songwriters, the production journeys 
through Franklin's courageous life of love, tragedy and triumph. The 
performance features a live band, supreme vocalists and a night of music
 by one of the greatest artists of all time, including the songs 
"Natural Woman," "Think," "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me," "Chain of 
Fools" and "Respect."

Tickets are available online at <a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu">mccain.k-state.edu</a>
 or at the ticket office in the newly expanded McCain lobby from noon to
 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are also available by phone 
785-532-6428 during the same hours. Kids 17 and younger get 50% off the 
general price of admission.&nbsp;

For more information, email <a href="mailto:mccain@k-state.edu">mccain@k-state.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677613688025.jpeg" alt=""R.E.S.P.E.C.T." comes to McCain Auditorium on Thursday, March 2, as part of the 2022-2023 McCain Performance Series. Tickets on sale now. " />
 <figcaption>"R.E.S.P.E.C.T." comes to McCain Auditorium on Thursday, March 2, as part of the 2022-2023 McCain Performance Series. Tickets on sale now. </figcaption>
 </figure>K-State NewsMANHATTAN — The 2022-2023 <a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">McCain Performance Series</a> presents "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, in Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium."R.E.S.P.E.C.T." is a tribute to the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha 
Franklin. Honoring the impassioned and transcendent music of one of 
America's most beloved singer-songwriters, the production journeys 
through Franklin's courageous life of love, tragedy and triumph. The 
performance features a live band, supreme vocalists and a night of music
 by one of the greatest artists of all time, including the songs 
"Natural Woman," "Think," "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me," "Chain of 
Fools" and "Respect."Tickets are available online at <a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu">mccain.k-state.edu</a>
 or at the ticket office in the newly expanded McCain lobby from noon to
 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are also available by phone 
785-532-6428 during the same hours. Kids 17 and younger get 50% off the 
general price of admission.&nbsp;For more information, email <a href="mailto:mccain@k-state.edu">mccain@k-state.edu</a>.

Aretha Franklin tribute performance set for Thursday at KSU

After a Tuesday and Wednesday with the thermometer topping out around 60, the National Weather Service in Topeka is forecasting a return of winter weather Thursday.

There is a 30 percent chance of a rain-snow mix Thursday morning, increasing to 80 percent by Thursday night.

A 20 mph northeast wind and 30 mph gusts will lead to cold, blustery conditions.

The snow-rain mix is expected to continue into Friday morning before skies clear.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677616027711.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a Tuesday and Wednesday with the thermometer topping out around 60, the National Weather Service in Topeka is forecasting a return of winter weather Thursday.There is a 30 percent chance of a rain-snow mix Thursday morning, increasing to 80 percent by Thursday night.A 20 mph northeast wind and 30 mph gusts will lead to cold, blustery conditions.The snow-rain mix is expected to continue into Friday morning before skies clear.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A storm system will move east to northeast across the area Thursday into early Friday. Wintry precipitation is likely, with the greatest chances Thursday night. Monitor forecast updates as this system approaches. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/8ZsuJjD13T">pic.twitter.com/8ZsuJjD13T</a>&mdash; NWS Topeka (@NWSTopeka) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSTopeka/status/1630517729882181632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
</div>

Enjoy the warm days ... winter making its return, NWS says

JUNCTION CITY - USD 475 Geary County Schools welcomed community members to Lincoln Elementary School on Monday as part of the 'Read Across America' week events.

Volunteers read aloud to students encouraging children to read and spreading awareness of the benefits of reading.&nbsp;

'Read Across America' week is celebrated in honor of beloved children's author, Dr. Suess, whose birthday is March 2nd.

by BECKY GOFF JC PostJUNCTION CITY - USD 475 Geary County Schools welcomed community members to Lincoln Elementary School on Monday as part of the 'Read Across America' week events.Volunteers read aloud to students encouraging children to read and spreading awareness of the benefits of reading.&nbsp;'Read Across America' week is celebrated in honor of beloved children's author, Dr. Suess, whose birthday is March 2nd.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLincolnUSD475%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0H2bXgbQ4meRwx9uMxqtFiJ18g8XeG4fxximLUzsCweZcWxpquHPbky78jkYBKC1Zl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="664" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Community members 'Read Across America' at Lincoln Elementary

JUNCTION CITY - The Junction City Police Department's Police Explorer Program's inaugural class celebrated graduation of seven explorers.

The class had seven graduates who will continue to serve as full explorers within JCPD.&nbsp;

Explorers get to learn about every aspect of policing and assist the community alongside officers.

Participants explore the pathway to becoming an officer themselves.

by BECKY GOFF JC Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677597515695.jpeg" alt="2023 JCPD Explorer graduates, picture from JCPD" />
 <figcaption>2023 JCPD Explorer graduates, picture from JCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>JUNCTION CITY - The Junction City Police Department's Police Explorer Program's inaugural class celebrated graduation of seven explorers.The class had seven graduates who will continue to serve as full explorers within JCPD.&nbsp;Explorers get to learn about every aspect of policing and assist the community alongside officers.Participants explore the pathway to becoming an officer themselves.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4fAhuH8V-60zMcgvZ.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="2023 Jcpd Explorer Graduation" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>

📷: Inaugural class of explorers graduate at JCPD

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/2023/2/1677599949917.jpeg" alt="Iven Terrel Love, Failure to appear x3; arrested 2/27" />
 <figcaption>Iven Terrel Love, Failure to appear x3; arrested 2/27</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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos February 28

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican Rep. Kenny Titus, whose district includes part of Manhattan and much of Wabaunsee County has served as an adjunct water law professor at KU in addition to working on water policy with the Kansas Department of Agriculture before getting into politics. He explained that making sure the money supply for water work is stable was one of the accomplishments of that committee in the House prior to turnaround.

"First is stable funding for the State Water Plan fund," Titus said. "If you go all the way back to Sam Brownback's first term, he was very interested in water and taking care of that resource in the Ogallala. He created a blue ribbon task force. It takes somewhere between $60 and $70 million to actually fund all of the water projects that we need to be working on. Out west, that includes dealing with declining ground water levels. In the eastern part of the state, it includes keeping our reservoirs from silting up, because much of our water supply comes from reservoirs and surface streams. There are problems in different parts of the state, but everybody has problems."

The recommendations have made it out of committee this session and made it across the floor of the House before the turnaround deadline.

"We adopted the blue ribbon task force, which carves off about $54 million of existing sales tax," Titus said. "We're not raising any taxes. It would take the fees that are already charged, plus dedicating a certain amount of sales tax to water projects every year, sort of like we do with the state highway fund, a similar model. That should give the water authority and the water office the resources they need to work on projects. One piece of that is very important. Because we're adding so much new money to the Water Plan budget, we wanted to put some guard rails in place. If you look around all of your communities, water infrastructure in most communities is aging and in need of repair. We have the lead pipeline rule from the EPA and all of these issues. It takes a lot of money to fix these."

Cities and towns of all sizes across Kansas need to work on this.

"About $20 million a year of that $54 million that we're dedicating to water, will be available to municipalities and special districts to varying degrees, in order to allow for all the engineering work and the planning and the grant applications and the matching funds," Titus said. "There will actually be some loan forgiveness through the state and some other grants, as well, to help cities repair this aging infrastructure and create safe drinking water and wastewater systems."

Some of that money will also be dedicated to raising pay for the people who keep those systems running. Towns that have one or maybe two employees on this and no professional engineering staff will have access to additional dollars.

"There are provisions we put in for communities of 2000 people or less," Titus said. "They are going to get more forgiveness than some of our larger cities. I hear constantly, my district is mostly small towns, other than Manhattan and these small cities, when all the federal money comes available for these grant projects, they oftentimes don't have the resources to hire the engineer to get the shovel-ready grant project ready, to even apply for the federal money. This will give a state source of up to $5 million a year to help with technical assistance, so that these small towns will be in a position to capture more of this grant money that's available from the feds, or wherever."

The bill still needs to go through the process on the Senate side, but Titus is confident that it can gain support over there, as well.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677595058799.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican Rep. Kenny Titus, whose district includes part of Manhattan and much of Wabaunsee County has served as an adjunct water law professor at KU in addition to working on water policy with the Kansas Department of Agriculture before getting into politics. He explained that making sure the money supply for water work is stable was one of the accomplishments of that committee in the House prior to turnaround."First is stable funding for the State Water Plan fund," Titus said. "If you go all the way back to Sam Brownback's first term, he was very interested in water and taking care of that resource in the Ogallala. He created a blue ribbon task force. It takes somewhere between $60 and $70 million to actually fund all of the water projects that we need to be working on. Out west, that includes dealing with declining ground water levels. In the eastern part of the state, it includes keeping our reservoirs from silting up, because much of our water supply comes from reservoirs and surface streams. There are problems in different parts of the state, but everybody has problems."The recommendations have made it out of committee this session and made it across the floor of the House before the turnaround deadline."We adopted the blue ribbon task force, which carves off about $54 million of existing sales tax," Titus said. "We're not raising any taxes. It would take the fees that are already charged, plus dedicating a certain amount of sales tax to water projects every year, sort of like we do with the state highway fund, a similar model. That should give the water authority and the water office the resources they need to work on projects. One piece of that is very important. Because we're adding so much new money to the Water Plan budget, we wanted to put some guard rails in place. If you look around all of your communities, water infrastructure in most communities is aging and in need of repair. We have the lead pipeline rule from the EPA and all of these issues. It takes a lot of money to fix these."Cities and towns of all sizes across Kansas need to work on this."About $20 million a year of that $54 million that we're dedicating to water, will be available to municipalities and special districts to varying degrees, in order to allow for all the engineering work and the planning and the grant applications and the matching funds," Titus said. "There will actually be some loan forgiveness through the state and some other grants, as well, to help cities repair this aging infrastructure and create safe drinking water and wastewater systems."Some of that money will also be dedicated to raising pay for the people who keep those systems running. Towns that have one or maybe two employees on this and no professional engineering staff will have access to additional dollars."There are provisions we put in for communities of 2000 people or less," Titus said. "They are going to get more forgiveness than some of our larger cities. I hear constantly, my district is mostly small towns, other than Manhattan and these small cities, when all the federal money comes available for these grant projects, they oftentimes don't have the resources to hire the engineer to get the shovel-ready grant project ready, to even apply for the federal money. This will give a state source of up to $5 million a year to help with technical assistance, so that these small towns will be in a position to capture more of this grant money that's available from the feds, or wherever."The bill still needs to go through the process on the Senate side, but Titus is confident that it can gain support over there, as well.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Water law expert, state legislator pleased with water plan funding

Junction City&nbsp; Main Street will have its first Coffee O' Clock on from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Godfrey's Indoor Ranges and Tactical Supplies, 920 N. Washington.

Coffee O' Clock will be held monthly on the first Wednesday of every 
month at different participating businesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677514407287.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Junction City&nbsp; Main Street will have its first Coffee O' Clock on from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Godfrey's Indoor Ranges and Tactical Supplies, 920 N. Washington.Coffee O' Clock will be held monthly on the first Wednesday of every 
month at different participating businesses. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJCACCKS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid036tc6rWpwtXWgE8VXboNo97mXYxHybW3aZsCEnv5RMR8LJBgQYMEfUUGB5nhMdmuVl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="651" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Junction City Main Street will host Coffee O'Clock this week

by BECKY GOFF JC Post&nbsp;

JUNCTION CITY - On Friday, May 19th, the Coronado Area Council is hosting the 2nd annual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCPinewoodDerby">Adult Corporate Pinewood Derby</a> at Jim Clark Chevrolet on Goldenbelt Blvd.

Registration is open for teams and sponsors until May 11th. Sponsors will receive pinewood derby car kits based on sponsorship levels.

Participants will build their own car using the Pinewood Derby car kit and by following the <a href="https://www.scoutshop.org/pwd-build">official BSA Pinewood Derby rules</a> for weight and size limitations.

Members of the <a href="https://scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA192&amp;calendarID=416261">public can be spectators</a> and watch to see which of the competitors wins the Derby.

Proceeds from the Adult Corporate Pinewood Derby benefits Boy Scouts of America, Coronado Area Council.&nbsp;

The Coronado Area Council serves the communities&nbsp;of Manhattan, Ogden, Ft. Riley and Junction City. Scouts who participate are both male and female and range in the age from Kindergarten to 18 years of age.

by BECKY GOFF JC Post&nbsp;JUNCTION CITY - On Friday, May 19th, the Coronado Area Council is hosting the 2nd annual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCPinewoodDerby">Adult Corporate Pinewood Derby</a> at Jim Clark Chevrolet on Goldenbelt Blvd.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2882.7952057262014!2d-96.84880488481404!3d39.00270947955452!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bc4eda64b0ead5%3A0x5ab89b28ff4392a9!2s911%20Goldenbelt%20Blvd%2C%20Junction%20City%2C%20KS%2066441!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1677530501919!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>Registration is open for teams and sponsors until May 11th. Sponsors will receive pinewood derby car kits based on sponsorship levels.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677530556586.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Participants will build their own car using the Pinewood Derby car kit and by following the <a href="https://www.scoutshop.org/pwd-build">official BSA Pinewood Derby rules</a> for weight and size limitations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677530528169.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Members of the <a href="https://scoutingevent.com/?OrgKey=BSA192&amp;calendarID=416261">public can be spectators</a> and watch to see which of the competitors wins the Derby.Proceeds from the Adult Corporate Pinewood Derby benefits Boy Scouts of America, Coronado Area Council.&nbsp;The Coronado Area Council serves the communities&nbsp;of Manhattan, Ogden, Ft. Riley and Junction City. Scouts who participate are both male and female and range in the age from Kindergarten to 18 years of age.

2nd annual Adult Corporate Pinewood Derby returns to JC

GEARY COUNTY - Geary County Public Works is accepting sealed quotes for mowing services on the campus of Cloud County Community College, located at 631 Caroline Avenue, in Junction City.

All mowing and lawn care businesses can submit a sealed quote packet to the Geary County Public Works office until 4:30 p.m. on March 17th.

Geary County Commissioners will open the sealed packets starting at 11:00 a.m. at the March 20th County Commission meeting.

For more information, please contact the Public Works office at 785-238-3612, or stop by the office located at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/DVMGXJcJ79xThd4p8">310 E 8th Street</a>.

by BECKY GOFF JC PostGEARY COUNTY - Geary County Public Works is accepting sealed quotes for mowing services on the campus of Cloud County Community College, located at 631 Caroline Avenue, in Junction City.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1870.7402548038458!2d-96.86086011861974!3d39.01694117426588!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bc4e948c97653d%3A0x1cde43572d304d7b!2sCloud%20County%20Community%20College!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1677534820962!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>
</div>All mowing and lawn care businesses can submit a sealed quote packet to the Geary County Public Works office until 4:30 p.m. on March 17th.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677534613537.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Geary County Commissioners will open the sealed packets starting at 11:00 a.m. at the March 20th County Commission meeting.For more information, please contact the Public Works office at 785-238-3612, or stop by the office located at <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/DVMGXJcJ79xThd4p8">310 E 8th Street</a>.

Geary Co. Public Works: Mowing sealed quote opportunity available

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are the months when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills. 

These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. 

Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce air quality and health impacts.

KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLnNvbm9tYXRlY2hkYXRhLmNvbS92aWV3L3N1bW1hcnkvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.36ynKJgYtvzx9ebAf0MH7QUZGD6RKxdV_NEbutlpUa8/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">Kansas smoke modeling tool&nbsp;</a>on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“This is the thirteenth year we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,”&nbsp;said Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”

Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.

For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLm9yZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.bSqDT4mTP6n0OAqAyJRohNtYXtYpiPbQMr2Q4qDkEQY/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">http://ksfire.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646151679691.jpeg" alt="Prescribed burning in the Flint Hills. Photo courtesy Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management " />
 <figcaption>Prescribed burning in the Flint Hills. Photo courtesy Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Smoke Modeling Tool to be activated on Wednesday</h2>KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are the months when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce air quality and health impacts.KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLnNvbm9tYXRlY2hkYXRhLmNvbS92aWV3L3N1bW1hcnkvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.36ynKJgYtvzx9ebAf0MH7QUZGD6RKxdV_NEbutlpUa8/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">Kansas smoke modeling tool&nbsp;</a>on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.“This is the thirteenth year we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,”&nbsp;said Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:●Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.●More vulnerable people should remain indoors.●Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.●Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.●Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAyMjcuNzIzNjAzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8va3NmaXJlLm9yZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.bSqDT4mTP6n0OAqAyJRohNtYXtYpiPbQMr2Q4qDkEQY/s/1305935158/br/155195289027-l" target="_blank">http://ksfire.org</a>.

JUNCTION CITY - On Saturday, March 4th, the Faith Lutheran Church will host a Soup Supper from 4:30 pm to 6:30pm.

The Soup supper will be held at the church, located at the corner of Eisenhower and McFarland Roads.

Dine-in and carryout options are available, free will donations suggested.

by BECKY GOFF JC Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677520342968.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JUNCTION CITY - On Saturday, March 4th, the Faith Lutheran Church will host a Soup Supper from 4:30 pm to 6:30pm.The Soup supper will be held at the church, located at the corner of Eisenhower and McFarland Roads.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3748.829725804011!2d-96.85204148439644!3d39.02487384702448!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bc4ebb1774da6b%3A0xf0b9037cc0a3f85c!2sFaith%20Evangelical%20Lutheran%20Church!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1677525631409!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>Dine-in and carryout options are available, free will donations suggested.

Soup supper to be held Saturday

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson.

Just before noon Sunday, police arrested&nbsp;Joseph Bauer Jr., 18, of Manhattan. It was reported Bauer threw a piece of clothing onto a stove and turned the stove on in an attempt to set it on fire, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The piece of clothing was removed by a separate party before it became inflamed.&nbsp; Bauer remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a requested charge of attempted arson with a total bond of $3,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson.Just before noon Sunday, police arrested&nbsp;Joseph Bauer Jr., 18, of Manhattan. It was reported Bauer threw a piece of clothing onto a stove and turned the stove on in an attempt to set it on fire, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The piece of clothing was removed by a separate party before it became inflamed.&nbsp; Bauer remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a requested charge of attempted arson with a total bond of $3,000.

RCPD: Manhattan teen used stove in attempted arson

By CASEY QUINLAN <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/24/families-are-taking-a-hit-as-pandemic-aid-ends-inflation-continues/">States Newsroom</a>

Forty million people in the U.S. are 
having difficulty affording household expenses, and a little more than 
25 million people say they sometimes or often do not have enough to eat,
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2023/demo/hhp/hhp54.html">according to</a> the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Household Pulse survey data.

The survey is designed to collect 
data on household experiences during the pandemic as well as its 
economic recovery. The U.S. Census Bureau, working with other federal 
agencies to produce the data, started the surveys in April 2020.

The most recent survey, which was 
taken Feb. 1 to Feb. 13, also showed that 16% of those surveyed said it 
was very likely that they would be evicted in the next two months and 
23.7% said it was somewhat likely. That’s up slightly from December, 
when 14.3% said it was very likely they’d be evicted in that time frame 
and 28% said it was somewhat likely.

The data reflects that Americans are 
continuing to struggle with inflation, a struggle made worse for some by
 the disappearance of pandemic relief across the country. Although 
inflation is moderating, it’s still high. The Consumer Price Index, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">released</a>
 on Feb, 14, showed that the price of meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose
 0.7% over the month and eggs rose 8.5% over the same time period. The 
Federal Reserve continues to raise rates in an effort to bring down 
inflation, which it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20230201a.htm">said</a> “remains elevated.”

In the meantime, much of the pandemic
 relief funds have been allocated, with 87% of American Rescue Plan Act 
funds being appropriated already by December. The <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/02/23/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">unwinding</a>
 of pandemic Medicaid coverage will likely leave millions of people 
without coverage. Early in the pandemic, Congress provided a temporary 
increase in benefits for recipients of SNAP, the federal nutrition 
assistance program, but that ends March 1. When that happens, the 
average person will get about $90 less in SNAP benefits a month, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/temporary-pandemic-snap-benefits-will-end-in-remaining-35-states-in-march#:~:text=The%20Supplemental%20Nutrition%20Assistance%20Program's,end%20after%20February%202023%20issuances.">according to</a> the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.&nbsp;

As SNAP’s emergency benefits go away,
 the effects may eventually show up in Pulse data, said Lauren Bauer, a 
fellow in economic studies at Brookings Institution and associate 
director of the Hamilton Project.

The current Pulse data shows that 
since expanded COVID-19 unemployment benefits ended in the fall of 2021,
 fewer people are relying on unemployment insurance to buy food. When 
asked how they had paid for food in the past seven days, 13 million said
 they used SNAP benefits compared to 1.8 million who said they used 
unemployment insurance benefits. That’s up from 12.7 million who relied 
on SNAP in January and 12.1 million in December. In the survey from Feb.
 17 to March 1, 2021 — before expanded unemployment benefits ended — 
11.9 million people used unemployment benefits to buy food and 10.8 
million used SNAP benefits.

“…What part of the safety net is 
still providing families with a material amount of income given all of 
the stuff that has gone away? And right now SNAP is the main program 
that’s doing that. Everything else is coming out of income, borrowing, 
spending down savings, etc.” Bauer explained.

Families of four at 200% of the 
poverty line are an example of who has the most to lose when emergency 
SNAP benefits go away, Bauer said.

“It’s families who normally, via the 
formula, would lose 30 cents for every dollar as you tick higher and 
higher up the income distribution who are going to see the biggest hit. 
Those are typically low-income workers,” she said.

In addition to these benefits drying 
up, Republican state lawmakers are targeting food stamps in a number of 
ways, such as adding <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/08/house-republicans-explore-new-way-to-punish-low-income-aging-kansans-seeking-food/">stricter work requirements</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/01/26/lawmakers-advance-proposed-snap-changes-but-say-theyll-drop-plans-to-restrict-some-foods/">limiting the food that qualifies</a>. In Congress, House Republicans are using this year’s farm bill to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2023/02/16/food-stamps-gop-proposed-cuts/">restart a discussion</a> on SNAP’s work requirements and waivers that exempt some recipients from certain SNAP rules.&nbsp;

Southern states showed higher rates 
of financial stress in surveys collected in February, January, and 
December. Pulse data shows that in February, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/hhp/#/?measures=FOODSCARCE&amp;periodSelector=54">food scarcity rates</a>
 were highest in Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana, and in January, 
they were highest in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Mississippi, 
Kentucky, and Texas were the highest in December. Difficulty paying for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/hhp/#/?measures=EXPENSE&amp;periodSelector=54">usual household expenses</a>
 was highest in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana in February, followed
 by West Virginia and Kentucky, and in January, people in Louisiana, 
Mississippi and Florida said they struggled most with these expenses.

“In general, a lot of these measures 
of benefit generosity are lower in the South of the U.S. and it would 
make sense that at the expiration of the federal expansion, they’re 
reverting to a less generous state,” said Alex Bell, a postdoctoral 
scholar at the University of California’s California Policy Lab.

Michael Leachman, senior vice 
president for state fiscal policy at the Center on Budget and Policy 
Priorities, said a lack of Medicaid expansion in many Southern states 
and stricter eligibility requirements for benefits may help to explain 
some of the data. With more pandemic aid ending, Americans all over the 
country will feel the pain of losing those resources, he said.

“The other provisions that were put 
in place during the height of the pandemic made a huge difference in 
terms of child poverty and other forms of hardship that people are 
experiencing,” he said. “… About 90% of [state ARPA funds] has already 
been allocated, and it’s made a huge difference in the lives of people 
who were particularly harmed, but with it winding down, even though the 
job market is relatively strong, the effects of the pandemic are 
lingering in all sorts of ways.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677516319519.png" alt="Throughout the pandemic, families have turned to food banks for help. Harvesters, a private food bank, saw the amount of food distributed increase from 54 million pounds in 2019 to 65 million in 2020. In this picture, food is distributed at a drive-in in Kansas City, Kansas. (Harvesters — The Community Food Network)" />
 <figcaption>Throughout the pandemic, families have turned to food banks for help. Harvesters, a private food bank, saw the amount of food distributed increase from 54 million pounds in 2019 to 65 million in 2020. In this picture, food is distributed at a drive-in in Kansas City, Kansas. (Harvesters — The Community Food Network)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CASEY QUINLAN <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/24/families-are-taking-a-hit-as-pandemic-aid-ends-inflation-continues/">States Newsroom</a>Forty million people in the U.S. are 
having difficulty affording household expenses, and a little more than 
25 million people say they sometimes or often do not have enough to eat,
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2023/demo/hhp/hhp54.html">according to</a> the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent Household Pulse survey data.The survey is designed to collect 
data on household experiences during the pandemic as well as its 
economic recovery. The U.S. Census Bureau, working with other federal 
agencies to produce the data, started the surveys in April 2020.The most recent survey, which was 
taken Feb. 1 to Feb. 13, also showed that 16% of those surveyed said it 
was very likely that they would be evicted in the next two months and 
23.7% said it was somewhat likely. That’s up slightly from December, 
when 14.3% said it was very likely they’d be evicted in that time frame 
and 28% said it was somewhat likely.The data reflects that Americans are 
continuing to struggle with inflation, a struggle made worse for some by
 the disappearance of pandemic relief across the country. Although 
inflation is moderating, it’s still high. The Consumer Price Index, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">released</a>
 on Feb, 14, showed that the price of meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose
 0.7% over the month and eggs rose 8.5% over the same time period. The 
Federal Reserve continues to raise rates in an effort to bring down 
inflation, which it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20230201a.htm">said</a> “remains elevated.”In the meantime, much of the pandemic
 relief funds have been allocated, with 87% of American Rescue Plan Act 
funds being appropriated already by December. The <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/02/23/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">unwinding</a>
 of pandemic Medicaid coverage will likely leave millions of people 
without coverage. Early in the pandemic, Congress provided a temporary 
increase in benefits for recipients of SNAP, the federal nutrition 
assistance program, but that ends March 1. When that happens, the 
average person will get about $90 less in SNAP benefits a month, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/temporary-pandemic-snap-benefits-will-end-in-remaining-35-states-in-march#:~:text=The%20Supplemental%20Nutrition%20Assistance%20Program's,end%20after%20February%202023%20issuances.">according to</a> the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.&nbsp;<h2>SNAP emergency benefits expiring soon</h2>As SNAP’s emergency benefits go away,
 the effects may eventually show up in Pulse data, said Lauren Bauer, a 
fellow in economic studies at Brookings Institution and associate 
director of the Hamilton Project.The current Pulse data shows that 
since expanded COVID-19 unemployment benefits ended in the fall of 2021,
 fewer people are relying on unemployment insurance to buy food. When 
asked how they had paid for food in the past seven days, 13 million said
 they used SNAP benefits compared to 1.8 million who said they used 
unemployment insurance benefits. That’s up from 12.7 million who relied 
on SNAP in January and 12.1 million in December. In the survey from Feb.
 17 to March 1, 2021 — before expanded unemployment benefits ended — 
11.9 million people used unemployment benefits to buy food and 10.8 
million used SNAP benefits.“…What part of the safety net is 
still providing families with a material amount of income given all of 
the stuff that has gone away? And right now SNAP is the main program 
that’s doing that. Everything else is coming out of income, borrowing, 
spending down savings, etc.” Bauer explained.Families of four at 200% of the 
poverty line are an example of who has the most to lose when emergency 
SNAP benefits go away, Bauer said.“It’s families who normally, via the 
formula, would lose 30 cents for every dollar as you tick higher and 
higher up the income distribution who are going to see the biggest hit. 
Those are typically low-income workers,” she said.In addition to these benefits drying 
up, Republican state lawmakers are targeting food stamps in a number of 
ways, such as adding <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/08/house-republicans-explore-new-way-to-punish-low-income-aging-kansans-seeking-food/">stricter work requirements</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/01/26/lawmakers-advance-proposed-snap-changes-but-say-theyll-drop-plans-to-restrict-some-foods/">limiting the food that qualifies</a>. In Congress, House Republicans are using this year’s farm bill to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2023/02/16/food-stamps-gop-proposed-cuts/">restart a discussion</a> on SNAP’s work requirements and waivers that exempt some recipients from certain SNAP rules.&nbsp;<h2>Economic pain in the South</h2>Southern states showed higher rates 
of financial stress in surveys collected in February, January, and 
December. Pulse data shows that in February, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/hhp/#/?measures=FOODSCARCE&amp;periodSelector=54">food scarcity rates</a>
 were highest in Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana, and in January, 
they were highest in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Mississippi, 
Kentucky, and Texas were the highest in December. Difficulty paying for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/hhp/#/?measures=EXPENSE&amp;periodSelector=54">usual household expenses</a>
 was highest in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana in February, followed
 by West Virginia and Kentucky, and in January, people in Louisiana, 
Mississippi and Florida said they struggled most with these expenses.“In general, a lot of these measures 
of benefit generosity are lower in the South of the U.S. and it would 
make sense that at the expiration of the federal expansion, they’re 
reverting to a less generous state,” said Alex Bell, a postdoctoral 
scholar at the University of California’s California Policy Lab.Michael Leachman, senior vice 
president for state fiscal policy at the Center on Budget and Policy 
Priorities, said a lack of Medicaid expansion in many Southern states 
and stricter eligibility requirements for benefits may help to explain 
some of the data. With more pandemic aid ending, Americans all over the 
country will feel the pain of losing those resources, he said.“The other provisions that were put 
in place during the height of the pandemic made a huge difference in 
terms of child poverty and other forms of hardship that people are 
experiencing,” he said. “… About 90% of [state ARPA funds] has already 
been allocated, and it’s made a huge difference in the lives of people 
who were particularly harmed, but with it winding down, even though the 
job market is relatively strong, the effects of the pandemic are 
lingering in all sorts of ways.”