Volunteers are needed to help with collection for Stuff the Bus, the program in which school supplies are donated for children in Geary USD 475, Chapman USD 383 and Saint Xavier schools.

Major collection days are July 22nd and 29th. Volunteers are needed for one-hour time slots on the two Saturdays from 1-4p.m.

You can sign up by calling the United Way office at 785-238-2117.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostVolunteers are needed to help with collection for Stuff the Bus, the program in which school supplies are donated for children in Geary USD 475, Chapman USD 383 and Saint Xavier schools.Major collection days are July 22nd and 29th. Volunteers are needed for one-hour time slots on the two Saturdays from 1-4p.m.You can sign up by calling the United Way office at 785-238-2117.

Volunteers are needed for Stuff the Bus

The public is invited to attend the July Lunch &amp; Learn scheduled for&nbsp;Thursday, July 27, at noon&nbsp;central time either in person or online. The program will be held in the&nbsp;library building indoor courtyard&nbsp;and will begin promptly at noon. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 a.m. A light box-lunch will be served on a first come, first served basis.

Michael Walch will join us to examine the series of laws and policies known as Termination directed at dismantling tribal sovereignty. He will review the various policy revisions along with societal and political changes in the late 1940s and early 1950s which led to the termination policy implementation.&nbsp;He will also discuss President Eisenhower’s observations and concerns.&nbsp;Walch will&nbsp;cover how the policy shortcomings eventually led to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.

Walch is a shareholder at Kirton McConkie, Utah’s largest law firm, where he specializes in tax planning, business and real estate transactions, business planning, and tax and business matters involving Native American tribes. He is a frequent and popular speaker on tax and Indian law topics at national and local seminars. Walch is currently the President-Elect of the Tax Law Section of the Utah Bar, and is a co-founder and past President of the Bar’s Indian Law Section. He also is the Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, and has served on many other civic boards and organizations.

These programs are all made possible courtesy of the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f8SFgs7QezhnwC_yMCgqQ5JFvJ88DjnMsZBBbDyYRGJ5uP854BAuP21z5BrXBr6oNHAnqWanxr6VyZCDlw0MDnf7Hyw2BtGEgML5ZSuJxSVBnPWg2QntCF035SD3kdgMl_lxZaYvdA5Tva8Xkj36yH0ze480eTnv&amp;c=6OWs_ingUKuJ5ZI4MiY8hK2S7x4ABSLUZDI57pnTHpWT-vg8MoUlNw==&amp;ch=7n92k1yY3BnIkmEhyQhgAyyI2S4BAz_JUcToVkvSee7Q0MFIu3IJNA==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>&nbsp;with generous support from the Jeffcoat Memorial Foundation.

The public is invited to attend the July Lunch &amp; Learn scheduled for&nbsp;Thursday, July 27, at noon&nbsp;central time either in person or online. The program will be held in the&nbsp;library building indoor courtyard&nbsp;and will begin promptly at noon. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 a.m. A light box-lunch will be served on a first come, first served basis.Michael Walch will join us to examine the series of laws and policies known as Termination directed at dismantling tribal sovereignty. He will review the various policy revisions along with societal and political changes in the late 1940s and early 1950s which led to the termination policy implementation.&nbsp;He will also discuss President Eisenhower’s observations and concerns.&nbsp;Walch will&nbsp;cover how the policy shortcomings eventually led to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.Walch is a shareholder at Kirton McConkie, Utah’s largest law firm, where he specializes in tax planning, business and real estate transactions, business planning, and tax and business matters involving Native American tribes. He is a frequent and popular speaker on tax and Indian law topics at national and local seminars. Walch is currently the President-Elect of the Tax Law Section of the Utah Bar, and is a co-founder and past President of the Bar’s Indian Law Section. He also is the Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, and has served on many other civic boards and organizations.These programs are all made possible courtesy of the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001f8SFgs7QezhnwC_yMCgqQ5JFvJ88DjnMsZBBbDyYRGJ5uP854BAuP21z5BrXBr6oNHAnqWanxr6VyZCDlw0MDnf7Hyw2BtGEgML5ZSuJxSVBnPWg2QntCF035SD3kdgMl_lxZaYvdA5Tva8Xkj36yH0ze480eTnv&amp;c=6OWs_ingUKuJ5ZI4MiY8hK2S7x4ABSLUZDI57pnTHpWT-vg8MoUlNw==&amp;ch=7n92k1yY3BnIkmEhyQhgAyyI2S4BAz_JUcToVkvSee7Q0MFIu3IJNA==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>&nbsp;with generous support from the Jeffcoat Memorial Foundation.

Native American Sovereignty  ﻿Termination Laws Lunch & Learn

Society of the 1st Infantry Division will hold their annual reunion Aug. 9 - 13 in New Orleans. Coordinator Phyllis Fitzgerald of Junction City noted that about 350 have signed up to attend.&nbsp;

Fitzgerald said some of the former commanders of the Big Red One attend. "This year it's pretty exciting. We do have one of our World War II veterans that is going to be at our reunion this year. And he'll be speaking at our memorial service.&nbsp;

This is the Society's 102 annual reunion. The theme this year is World War II. Regiments will set up command posts with a World War II theme.

Society of the 1st Infantry Division will hold their annual reunion Aug. 9 - 13 in New Orleans. Coordinator Phyllis Fitzgerald of Junction City noted that about 350 have signed up to attend.&nbsp;Fitzgerald said some of the former commanders of the Big Red One attend. "This year it's pretty exciting. We do have one of our World War II veterans that is going to be at our reunion this year. And he'll be speaking at our memorial service.&nbsp;This is the Society's 102 annual reunion. The theme this year is World War II. Regiments will set up command posts with a World War II theme.

Big Red One veterans will gather in New Orleans.

RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Kenworth dump truck driven by Cole Story, 25, Wichita, was westbound on Kansas 18 just east of Moore's Lane.

The truck left the roadway to the right. The driver overcorrected back onto the roadway. 

The driver was forced to overcorrect again to avoid an unknown eastbound vehicle. The truck left the road to the north, traveled into a ditch, overturned, lost its load, traveled through a fence and into a culvert striking the embankment.

EMS transported Story to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689799483531.png" alt="EMS transported the truck driver to Stormont Vail.-photo Riley County Police Department" />
 <figcaption>EMS transported the truck driver to Stormont Vail.-photo Riley County Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Wednesday in Riley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Kenworth dump truck driven by Cole Story, 25, Wichita, was westbound on Kansas 18 just east of Moore's Lane.The truck left the roadway to the right. The driver overcorrected back onto the roadway. The driver was forced to overcorrect again to avoid an unknown eastbound vehicle. The truck left the road to the north, traveled into a ditch, overturned, lost its load, traveled through a fence and into a culvert striking the embankment.EMS transported Story to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after dump truck crash

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the&nbsp;Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act&nbsp;to give family farmers and ranchers the flexibility they need to protect groundwater sources while keeping their agricultural lands in production. “The ongoing drought in Kansas is putting a strain on groundwater supply, including the Ogallala aquifer,”&nbsp;said Moran.&nbsp;“This legislation would enable farmers and ranchers to join a voluntary water conservation program to leverage their land and water resources with USDA, providing incentives for reducing groundwater use. By conserving our natural resources and limiting the strain on the aquifer, this legislation would help producers conserve the water their farms and ranches depend upon for future generations.” “Colorado’s family farmers and ranchers face a future that’s going to be a lot hotter and a lot drier — and they need us to ensure USDA’s conservation programs live up to their potential,”&nbsp;said Bennet.&nbsp;“Building off the work of Coloradans in the San Luis Valley who first used voluntary easements to support groundwater conservation to sustain the local agricultural economy and wildlife habitat, this legislation creates a new tool for farmers to voluntarily reduce their groundwater use and continue to farm.” “As the West continues to grapple with a historic mega-drought and the long-term aridification caused by climate change, we need solutions that will help us sustainably manage our precious and limited groundwater resources,”&nbsp;said Heinrich.&nbsp;“That’s why I'm proud to support this bipartisan bill that will provide farmers and producers with more tools to meet the short-term challenges posed by water scarcity, while protecting the long-term health of our aquifers.” America’s groundwater resources are a primary source of drinking water for rural communities and a vital irrigation water supply for many family farms and ranches across the country. However, these resources are in decline — a trend that could seriously affect communities, water users, ecosystem health and local economies. The&nbsp;Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act&nbsp;creates a new voluntary groundwater easement program at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service NRCS) within the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program. This easement program is modeled after the experience of Colorado Open Lands, which signed the first-ever groundwater easement in 2022 for the Rio Grande River Basin. The&nbsp;Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act&nbsp;would:

“The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 is fully supported by the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3. This policy leadership from Senator Bennet and Senator Moran reinforces our efforts to conserve and extend the Ogallala Aquifer and the success of our agri-based rural communities that depend on vital groundwater supplies long term," said Mark Rude, executive director of the Garden City-based Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3. 

"Southwest Kansas farmers have cut water use by 13% (over 200,000 acre-feet) in recent years while assuring the success of food, fiber and energy production in a way that works for their families and communities. We are grateful for the financial support and options afforded them through the Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 to close the gap between aquifer declines and stable water levels for future generations to enjoy the benefits of agriculture food security and the environment," said Rude.&nbsp; “Developed in collaboration with agricultural water users, groundwater easements offer an innovative approach to addressing the West's increasingly critical groundwater shortages,"&nbsp;said Lesli Allison, chief executive officer of the Western Landowners Alliance.&nbsp;"We appreciate that they are voluntary, flexible, compensated and durable. These are the kinds of tools needed to sustain the working lands and natural resources on which we all depend." “From spring-fed streams on the eastern plains to wetlands in the San Luis Valley, groundwater plays a critical role in sustaining vital fish and wildlife habitat important to hunters and anglers in Colorado,”&nbsp;said Alex Funk, director of water resources and senior counsel, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.&nbsp;“The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act will create a new, flexible tool for farmers and ranchers in Colorado and other states experiencing challenges with sustainably managing aquifer supplies, while protecting important working landscapes and water resources from further development, maintaining food and fiber production, and helping to restore groundwater-dependent ecosystems critical to sustaining fish and wildlife.” Full text of the bill can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0/d/0d3df372-9cfb-4292-bd9b-767a2a6c9df3/31CD28A2B1B272C03CB6E2C486316319.voluntary-groundwater-conservation-act-of-2023-bill-text.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689712377736.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Sen. MoranWASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the&nbsp;Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act&nbsp;to give family farmers and ranchers the flexibility they need to protect groundwater sources while keeping their agricultural lands in production. “The ongoing drought in Kansas is putting a strain on groundwater supply, including the Ogallala aquifer,”&nbsp;said Moran.&nbsp;“This legislation would enable farmers and ranchers to join a voluntary water conservation program to leverage their land and water resources with USDA, providing incentives for reducing groundwater use. By conserving our natural resources and limiting the strain on the aquifer, this legislation would help producers conserve the water their farms and ranches depend upon for future generations.” “Colorado’s family farmers and ranchers face a future that’s going to be a lot hotter and a lot drier — and they need us to ensure USDA’s conservation programs live up to their potential,”&nbsp;said Bennet.&nbsp;“Building off the work of Coloradans in the San Luis Valley who first used voluntary easements to support groundwater conservation to sustain the local agricultural economy and wildlife habitat, this legislation creates a new tool for farmers to voluntarily reduce their groundwater use and continue to farm.” “As the West continues to grapple with a historic mega-drought and the long-term aridification caused by climate change, we need solutions that will help us sustainably manage our precious and limited groundwater resources,”&nbsp;said Heinrich.&nbsp;“That’s why I'm proud to support this bipartisan bill that will provide farmers and producers with more tools to meet the short-term challenges posed by water scarcity, while protecting the long-term health of our aquifers.” America’s groundwater resources are a primary source of drinking water for rural communities and a vital irrigation water supply for many family farms and ranches across the country. However, these resources are in decline — a trend that could seriously affect communities, water users, ecosystem health and local economies. The&nbsp;Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act&nbsp;creates a new voluntary groundwater easement program at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service NRCS) within the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program. This easement program is modeled after the experience of Colorado Open Lands, which signed the first-ever groundwater easement in 2022 for the Rio Grande River Basin. The&nbsp;Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act&nbsp;would:<ul>
 <li>Create a new Groundwater Conservation Easement Program at USDA to encourage voluntary, compensated reductions in groundwater consumption on agricultural land and advance local, regional or state groundwater management goals;</li><li>Allow NRCS to reimburse transaction costs up to 5 percent of the federal share and requires an advance payment for limited resource producers to cover these costs;</li><li>Guarantee long-term management flexibility for a producer to continue farming and choose how they reduce their water use, as long as they conserve the amount they’ve committed to reducing each year;</li><li>Make certain farmers are fairly compensated using a payment based on the market value for the water right instead of a per acre payment; and</li><li>Clarify that easement funds shall not be counted towards a farm’s adjusted gross income and that producers with an adjusted gross income of more than $900,000 are eligible for a waiver from the Secretary to participate in groundwater conservation easements.</li>
 </ul>“The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 is fully supported by the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3. This policy leadership from Senator Bennet and Senator Moran reinforces our efforts to conserve and extend the Ogallala Aquifer and the success of our agri-based rural communities that depend on vital groundwater supplies long term," said Mark Rude, executive director of the Garden City-based Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3. "Southwest Kansas farmers have cut water use by 13% (over 200,000 acre-feet) in recent years while assuring the success of food, fiber and energy production in a way that works for their families and communities. We are grateful for the financial support and options afforded them through the Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 2023 to close the gap between aquifer declines and stable water levels for future generations to enjoy the benefits of agriculture food security and the environment," said Rude.&nbsp; “Developed in collaboration with agricultural water users, groundwater easements offer an innovative approach to addressing the West's increasingly critical groundwater shortages,"&nbsp;said Lesli Allison, chief executive officer of the Western Landowners Alliance.&nbsp;"We appreciate that they are voluntary, flexible, compensated and durable. These are the kinds of tools needed to sustain the working lands and natural resources on which we all depend." “From spring-fed streams on the eastern plains to wetlands in the San Luis Valley, groundwater plays a critical role in sustaining vital fish and wildlife habitat important to hunters and anglers in Colorado,”&nbsp;said Alex Funk, director of water resources and senior counsel, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.&nbsp;“The Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act will create a new, flexible tool for farmers and ranchers in Colorado and other states experiencing challenges with sustainably managing aquifer supplies, while protecting important working landscapes and water resources from further development, maintaining food and fiber production, and helping to restore groundwater-dependent ecosystems critical to sustaining fish and wildlife.” Full text of the bill can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/0/d/0d3df372-9cfb-4292-bd9b-767a2a6c9df3/31CD28A2B1B272C03CB6E2C486316319.voluntary-groundwater-conservation-act-of-2023-bill-text.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.

Sen. Moran introduces legislation to help farmers and ranchers combat drought

The Corps of Engineers as scheduled water control manual updates happening for Milford, Tuttle Creek, Perry and Clinton Lakes. One of those sessions for Milford Dam and Lake will be on Aug. 2 from 5 to 7:30&nbsp; p.m. It will be held at the Geary County 4-H Senior Center.

Project Operations Manager for the Corps at Milford Lake, Bill Whitworth, said this will be an opportunity for the public to find out the lakes are managed "in terms of water level, flood management and the like." This meeting is the beginning of the process to gather input for updating the water management plan.&nbsp;

The public can give opinions on what they would like to see done differently in terms of water management.

There will also be a similar meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 for Tuttle Creek Lake at the Manhattan Fire Department.

The Corps of Engineers as scheduled water control manual updates happening for Milford, Tuttle Creek, Perry and Clinton Lakes. One of those sessions for Milford Dam and Lake will be on Aug. 2 from 5 to 7:30&nbsp; p.m. It will be held at the Geary County 4-H Senior Center.Project Operations Manager for the Corps at Milford Lake, Bill Whitworth, said this will be an opportunity for the public to find out the lakes are managed "in terms of water level, flood management and the like." This meeting is the beginning of the process to gather input for updating the water management plan.&nbsp;The public can give opinions on what they would like to see done differently in terms of water management.There will also be a similar meeting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 for Tuttle Creek Lake at the Manhattan Fire Department.

Corps of Engineers schedules public meeting

This is day 13 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.

In far western Kansas, wheat harvest is well behind schedule due to weather delays that have also brought hail damage. Despite the disruptions, elevators are generally seeing a better harvest than was anticipated this spring, although hail is hindering final yields for some and test weights are declining as producers wait for conditions to dry out enough to finish cutting.&nbsp;

Harvest is still going in western Wichita County, but most producers should wrap up by the weekend across the draw area for Scott Coop, according to grain merchandiser Brinlee McNary.&nbsp;

McNary said the crop looked pretty bleak in March, but thanks to spring rains they have taken in more bushels than they expected. Combines started rolling around July 4, about 10 days behind normal, but rain delays meant most producers spent a week out of the fields before resuming cutting.&nbsp;

The wheat has been high on protein, averaging 13 percent, but test weights have been falling from initial highs due to the rain, now at 58 pounds per bushel. Producers have seen a very wide range of yields from 20 to 70 bushels per acre.&nbsp;

Overall, McNary said Scott Coop will take in about half of their five-year average. That wheat will likely stay within the United States and be sent to flour mills or Kansas gluten plants, instead of traveling south on the rail to the Gulf of Mexico for export.&nbsp;

Harvest also started at least 10 days late in Sherman County, reported Brian Linin who farms near Goodland. About half of his wheat was destroyed, with crop insurance estimates of 0.6 to 1.7 bushels per acre. Linin’s 76-year-old father can’t remember having this much trouble getting wheat up in the fall in all his years of farming.&nbsp;

Despite the initial loss, three generations still came together to run combines this year - Brian, his father Brent and his son Blair. Test weights are averaging 58.5 pounds per bushel while proteins range from 11 to 12 percent.&nbsp;

Linin's irrigated wheat is yielding 60 to 65 bushels per acre and his dryland wheat is yielding 50 to 60 bushels per acre. The range is wider than normal due to variation between heads that are not quite ripe and others that are overripe - three days ago there were still green heads in the field. Hail also hit Sherman County last week, but Linin’s wheat fields were largely spared.&nbsp;

“The only silver lining is that this wheat is this good,” Linin said, noting a big benefit from planting into stubble to set up yield potential. “The dryland fields are a big surprise.”&nbsp;

Linin will deliver his wheat to Frontier Ag or Scoular, which will go on to the domestic mill market.&nbsp;

Eric Sperber of Cornerstone Ag in Colby also noted that the Thomas County area has never started wheat harvest this late.&nbsp;The first combines finally started rolling on July 10. With high humidity, most producers can’t start cutting until early evening, but fields have finally really ripened up in the last two days.&nbsp;

He reported test weights are struggling, averaging just over 58 pounds per bushel. Overall protein is averaging 12.1 percent, but he’s seen from eight percent up to 14 percent. Recent hail did not zero out a lot of acres, but impacted fields are now yielding half of their pre-hail potential due to shattering. Yields range from 25 bushels per acre on hail-damaged fields up to 70 bushels per acre for dryland wheat.&nbsp;

Sperber said there has been a lot of variation within fields with original tillers ripening on time, followed by taller secondary tillers ripening a few days later and then suckerheads growing even taller and ripening a few days after that. Producers have faced a number of difficulties this growing season - abandoning some poor stands in the fall, battling weeds, dealing with wheat suffering from winterkill from a cold snap in December that affected wheat with poor root structure and disease pressure from rust on fields that did not have fungicide applied.&nbsp;

“It has been a challenging crop this year from planting to harvest,” Sperber said. “It’s been really weird.”

Harvest is now 50 to 60 percent complete and needs another seven days of average weather to finish up. Sperber said they need sunshine, otherwise, the current weather will mean harvest will take much longer.&nbsp;Overall, he expects they will take in about the same number of bushels as the five-year average, due to an increase in acres. He had expected more before hail struck the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s amazing with the amount of moisture we had,” he said.&nbsp;

Harvest also has about a week left to go - if there’s no rain - for Mike Sieck near Edson in Sherman County. Harvest started on July 8 but has never really kicked into full swing because most days they cannot start until noon or later - some days as late as 4:00 in the afternoon - due to humidity and scattered rains.&nbsp;

Sieck did apply fungicide, a good decision as quite a bit of stripe rust has moved into the area in the last couple of weeks. Weeds are also a contention as they aren’t dying in the cooler weather.&nbsp;

Hail has also hit the area hard. Sieck will still harvest some of the hail-damaged fields for seed wheat, even though yields have decreased to 25 bushels per acre. His average for dryland wheat is 45 bushels per acre but ranges widely. Test weights are decent at 59 to 61 pounds per bushel and protein is excellent at 13.5 to 14.5 percent.&nbsp;

He reported WestBred’s WB 4422, a replacement for Grainfield, has done well, as have the Kansas Wheat Alliance-developed varieties - KS Providence, KS Territory and KS Hamilton. North of Bird City and St. Francis, producers caught more snow and wheat is yielding even better, some places as high as 90 bushels per acre on dryland fields.&nbsp;

With varying yields and weather delays, producers are ready to close the book on the 2023 wheat harvest. As they continue cutting, Kansas Wheat will continue to share results from the field with the next harvest report scheduled for July 20.&nbsp;Look for a special edition harvest report on the hard white wheat crop on July 19.

The 2023 Harvest Report is 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 on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share your harvest story and photos.

By Julia Debes for Kansas WheatThis is day 13 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.In far western Kansas, wheat harvest is well behind schedule due to weather delays that have also brought hail damage. Despite the disruptions, elevators are generally seeing a better harvest than was anticipated this spring, although hail is hindering final yields for some and test weights are declining as producers wait for conditions to dry out enough to finish cutting.&nbsp;Harvest is still going in western Wichita County, but most producers should wrap up by the weekend across the draw area for Scott Coop, according to grain merchandiser Brinlee McNary.&nbsp;McNary said the crop looked pretty bleak in March, but thanks to spring rains they have taken in more bushels than they expected. Combines started rolling around July 4, about 10 days behind normal, but rain delays meant most producers spent a week out of the fields before resuming cutting.&nbsp;The wheat has been high on protein, averaging 13 percent, but test weights have been falling from initial highs due to the rain, now at 58 pounds per bushel. Producers have seen a very wide range of yields from 20 to 70 bushels per acre.&nbsp;Overall, McNary said Scott Coop will take in about half of their five-year average. That wheat will likely stay within the United States and be sent to flour mills or Kansas gluten plants, instead of traveling south on the rail to the Gulf of Mexico for export.&nbsp;Harvest also started at least 10 days late in Sherman County, reported Brian Linin who farms near Goodland. About half of his wheat was destroyed, with crop insurance estimates of 0.6 to 1.7 bushels per acre. Linin’s 76-year-old father can’t remember having this much trouble getting wheat up in the fall in all his years of farming.&nbsp;Despite the initial loss, three generations still came together to run combines this year - Brian, his father Brent and his son Blair. Test weights are averaging 58.5 pounds per bushel while proteins range from 11 to 12 percent.&nbsp;Linin's irrigated wheat is yielding 60 to 65 bushels per acre and his dryland wheat is yielding 50 to 60 bushels per acre. The range is wider than normal due to variation between heads that are not quite ripe and others that are overripe - three days ago there were still green heads in the field. Hail also hit Sherman County last week, but Linin’s wheat fields were largely spared.&nbsp;“The only silver lining is that this wheat is this good,” Linin said, noting a big benefit from planting into stubble to set up yield potential. “The dryland fields are a big surprise.”&nbsp;Linin will deliver his wheat to Frontier Ag or Scoular, which will go on to the domestic mill market.&nbsp;Eric Sperber of Cornerstone Ag in Colby also noted that the Thomas County area has never started wheat harvest this late.&nbsp;The first combines finally started rolling on July 10. With high humidity, most producers can’t start cutting until early evening, but fields have finally really ripened up in the last two days.&nbsp;He reported test weights are struggling, averaging just over 58 pounds per bushel. Overall protein is averaging 12.1 percent, but he’s seen from eight percent up to 14 percent. Recent hail did not zero out a lot of acres, but impacted fields are now yielding half of their pre-hail potential due to shattering. Yields range from 25 bushels per acre on hail-damaged fields up to 70 bushels per acre for dryland wheat.&nbsp;Sperber said there has been a lot of variation within fields with original tillers ripening on time, followed by taller secondary tillers ripening a few days later and then suckerheads growing even taller and ripening a few days after that. Producers have faced a number of difficulties this growing season - abandoning some poor stands in the fall, battling weeds, dealing with wheat suffering from winterkill from a cold snap in December that affected wheat with poor root structure and disease pressure from rust on fields that did not have fungicide applied.&nbsp;“It has been a challenging crop this year from planting to harvest,” Sperber said. “It’s been really weird.”Harvest is now 50 to 60 percent complete and needs another seven days of average weather to finish up. Sperber said they need sunshine, otherwise, the current weather will mean harvest will take much longer.&nbsp;Overall, he expects they will take in about the same number of bushels as the five-year average, due to an increase in acres. He had expected more before hail struck the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s amazing with the amount of moisture we had,” he said.&nbsp;Harvest also has about a week left to go - if there’s no rain - for Mike Sieck near Edson in Sherman County. Harvest started on July 8 but has never really kicked into full swing because most days they cannot start until noon or later - some days as late as 4:00 in the afternoon - due to humidity and scattered rains.&nbsp;Sieck did apply fungicide, a good decision as quite a bit of stripe rust has moved into the area in the last couple of weeks. Weeds are also a contention as they aren’t dying in the cooler weather.&nbsp;Hail has also hit the area hard. Sieck will still harvest some of the hail-damaged fields for seed wheat, even though yields have decreased to 25 bushels per acre. His average for dryland wheat is 45 bushels per acre but ranges widely. Test weights are decent at 59 to 61 pounds per bushel and protein is excellent at 13.5 to 14.5 percent.&nbsp;He reported WestBred’s WB 4422, a replacement for Grainfield, has done well, as have the Kansas Wheat Alliance-developed varieties - KS Providence, KS Territory and KS Hamilton. North of Bird City and St. Francis, producers caught more snow and wheat is yielding even better, some places as high as 90 bushels per acre on dryland fields.&nbsp;With varying yields and weather delays, producers are ready to close the book on the 2023 wheat harvest. As they continue cutting, Kansas Wheat will continue to share results from the field with the next harvest report scheduled for July 20.&nbsp;Look for a special edition harvest report on the hard white wheat crop on July 19.The 2023 Harvest Report is 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 on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 13, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

RILEY COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities have made additional arrests in connection to June and July 2022 shootings in the 700 block of Colorado St. in Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

On Monday, police arrested 16-year-old Shaan Hyman and 17-year-old a Marvin Fernandez, 17, both of Junction City on Riley County District Court warrants by the Junction City Police Department

Hyman is being held in the North Central Kansas regional Juvenile Detention Facility on requested charges of criminal discharge of a weapon and two counts each of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection to two separate incidents where multiple rounds were shot into the same occupied residence, once on June 20, 2022, around 5:45 a.m. and again on July 11, 2022, around 1:15 a.m. No injuries were reported in either incident.

Fernandez is being held in the juvenile facility on requested charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and criminal discharge of a weapon in connection to the July shooting.

In August of 2022, Police arrested 18-year-old Brayln Marsh of Junction City in connection to the shootings.

RILEY COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities have made additional arrests in connection to June and July 2022 shootings in the 700 block of Colorado St. in Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.On Monday, police arrested 16-year-old Shaan Hyman and 17-year-old a Marvin Fernandez, 17, both of Junction City on Riley County District Court warrants by the Junction City Police DepartmentHyman is being held in the North Central Kansas regional Juvenile Detention Facility on requested charges of criminal discharge of a weapon and two counts each of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection to two separate incidents where multiple rounds were shot into the same occupied residence, once on June 20, 2022, around 5:45 a.m. and again on July 11, 2022, around 1:15 a.m. No injuries were reported in either incident.Fernandez is being held in the juvenile facility on requested charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and criminal discharge of a weapon in connection to the July shooting.In August of 2022, Police arrested 18-year-old Brayln Marsh of Junction City in connection to the shootings.

Two more teens accused of shootings in Manhattan

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage to property in Riley.

Just after 10a.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 200 block of N. Remmele Street, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;A door to the women's bathroom at East Park was damaged. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $500. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689784019628.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage to property in Riley.Just after 10a.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 200 block of N. Remmele Street, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;A door to the women's bathroom at East Park was damaged. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $500. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD investigating damage at city park

At the July 19 Celebration of Optimism gathering at the Hampton Inn in Junction City, the JC Breakfast Optimist Club donated $200.00 to the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program. Nichole Mader, United Way Director received the check and shared information about how United Way helps students be prepared for their school year.

Nichole stated that “the Stuff the Bus program will be held July 22 and 29 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Wal-Mart Super Center on Chestnut Street in Junction City. Donations of supplies for students at the various schools in USD 475, 473 and St. Xavier’s may be purchased and left with volunteers who will then sort the items and Stuff the Bus for delivery to schools. Items often needed and tend not to be donated include three ring binders, headphones, and dry erase markers. However, any donations are appreciated.”

Another program in which the United Way is helping students be prepared for school is the Adopt a Backpack program. “This is specific to a family who is low-income, the child is home schooled or attends an academy school and there has been a completed and approved application for assistance in receiving school supplies. There are 77 children signed up at this point”, Nichole said.

Nichole also told the Optimists that “the community continues to be supportive of students whose families may be struggling to purchase school supplies before the start of school.” JC Breakfast Optimist Club members will be present at the Wal-Mart Super Center on July 29 from 12:00 until 1:00 and encourages the community to continue to support Stuff the Bus and Adopt a Backpack either by purchasing and donating some school supplies or making a monetary donation.

Next week’s program at the Celebration of Optimism gather will be provided by Joe and Sheila Markley. They will give an update on the remodeling going on and upcoming events at the C.L. Hoover

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689777294344.jpeg" alt="( L-R ) Nichole Mader, Nita Miller" />
 <figcaption>( L-R ) Nichole Mader, Nita Miller</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dr. Ferrell MillerAt the July 19 Celebration of Optimism gathering at the Hampton Inn in Junction City, the JC Breakfast Optimist Club donated $200.00 to the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program. Nichole Mader, United Way Director received the check and shared information about how United Way helps students be prepared for their school year.Nichole stated that “the Stuff the Bus program will be held July 22 and 29 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Wal-Mart Super Center on Chestnut Street in Junction City. Donations of supplies for students at the various schools in USD 475, 473 and St. Xavier’s may be purchased and left with volunteers who will then sort the items and Stuff the Bus for delivery to schools. Items often needed and tend not to be donated include three ring binders, headphones, and dry erase markers. However, any donations are appreciated.”Another program in which the United Way is helping students be prepared for school is the Adopt a Backpack program. “This is specific to a family who is low-income, the child is home schooled or attends an academy school and there has been a completed and approved application for assistance in receiving school supplies. There are 77 children signed up at this point”, Nichole said.Nichole also told the Optimists that “the community continues to be supportive of students whose families may be struggling to purchase school supplies before the start of school.” JC Breakfast Optimist Club members will be present at the Wal-Mart Super Center on July 29 from 12:00 until 1:00 and encourages the community to continue to support Stuff the Bus and Adopt a Backpack either by purchasing and donating some school supplies or making a monetary donation.Next week’s program at the Celebration of Optimism gather will be provided by Joe and Sheila Markley. They will give an update on the remodeling going on and upcoming events at the C.L. Hoover

JC Breakfast Optimist Club Donates To Stuff The Bus

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

Bonds have been posted. Photos are not available.

Norman Parde Jr., Transporting an open container, Aggravated endangering a child, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/15

Jamon Greer, Transporting an open container, Arrested 7/16

Henry Harper, DUI-liquor or drugs, Arrested 7/16

Kolten Bracebridge, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/16

Christopher Adee, Domestic battery, Arrested 7/16

Robin Bond, Disorderly conduct, Arrested 7/17

Kiera Rice, Duty of Governor to arrest person charged who has fled from justice, Arrested 7/17

Christopher Rafferty-Sisneros, Unsafe turning or stopping; failure to give proper signal vehicles, Vehicles; operate vehicle without registration or with expired tag, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/18

Kasia Glassford, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/18

Morgan Matthews, failure to appear, Arrested 7/18

Tyeler Gorton, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/18

Peter Henry, Outside warrant, Arrested 7/18

Robert Gaarder, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, Arrested 7/14

Chase Mason, Possession of marijuana ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/14

Davin Banks, Cancelled / suspended / revoked driver's license, Driving without lights when needed, Arrested 7/15

Johnny Cole Jr., Violation of protection order, Arrested 7/15

Nathan Bowen, No signal / unsafe turning / stopping, Arrested 7/15

Alyssa Ortega, Aggravated endangering a child, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Driving without headlights when needed, Arrested 7/15

Stefan Dixon, Failure to appear ( 3 counts ), Arrested 7/15

Joseph Mason, Aggravated assault, Use of a deadly weapon, Arrested 7/15

Lindsey Black, Failure to yield from private road or driveway, Improper turn or approach.

Sylas Mottley, Transporting an open container alcohol, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, No proof of insurance, Cancelled / suspended / revoked driver's license, Defective tag lamp, Arrested 7/15

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/2023/7/1689775864969.jpeg" alt="Jonathan Stevens, Outside warrant, Arrested 7/18" />
 <figcaption>Jonathan Stevens, Outside warrant, Arrested 7/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689778002250.jpeg" alt="Christopher Cook, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/18" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Cook, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689778075022.jpeg" alt="Phoenix Holman, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/19" />
 <figcaption>Phoenix Holman, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/19</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689778156803.jpeg" alt="Joseph Eustice, Fail to yield at stop sign, Exceeding posted speed limit, Fleeing and Eluding, Interference with Law Enforcement Officer; obstructing / resist/oppose&nbsp; misdemeanor w arrant service or execution, No proof of insurance, No registration; illegal or expired tags, motorcycle helmet and eye protection, Operate motorized bicycle on highway without proper license, Arrested 7/19,&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Eustice, Fail to yield at stop sign, Exceeding posted speed limit, Fleeing and Eluding, Interference with Law Enforcement Officer; obstructing / resist/oppose&nbsp; misdemeanor w arrant service or execution, No proof of insurance, No registration; illegal or expired tags, motorcycle helmet and eye protection, Operate motorized bicycle on highway without proper license, Arrested 7/19,&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689778684713.jpeg" alt="Kirstanna Hill, Probation violation, Arrested 7/18" />
 <figcaption>Kirstanna Hill, Probation violation, Arrested 7/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689778950778.jpeg" alt="Eleanor Fisher, Criminal trespass, Arrested 7/17" />
 <figcaption>Eleanor Fisher, Criminal trespass, Arrested 7/17</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779090987.jpeg" alt="Jessica Roberts, Counterfeiting currency, Arrested 7/18" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Roberts, Counterfeiting currency, Arrested 7/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779191128.jpeg" alt="Damani Bisio, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/18" />
 <figcaption>Damani Bisio, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/18</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779401837.jpeg" alt="Daniel Pena, Improper Driving&nbsp; on laned roadway, Possession of controlled substance, Distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Distribute controlled substance, Arrested 7/16" />
 <figcaption>Daniel Pena, Improper Driving&nbsp; on laned roadway, Possession of controlled substance, Distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Distribute controlled substance, Arrested 7/16</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779603153.jpeg" alt="Adrianne Young, Criminal trespass, Arrested 7/17" />
 <figcaption>Adrianne Young, Criminal trespass, Arrested 7/17</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779701615.jpeg" alt="Zachary Olson, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/14" />
 <figcaption>Zachary Olson, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/14</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779756834.jpeg" alt="Henry Jones, Probation violation, Arrested 7/14" />
 <figcaption>Henry Jones, Probation violation, Arrested 7/14</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779812174.jpeg" alt="Ashley Lawton, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/15" />
 <figcaption>Ashley Lawton, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/15</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689779874218.jpeg" alt="Obadiah Okari, Improper driving on laned road, DUI-liquor/drugs, Arrested 7/15" />
 <figcaption>Obadiah Okari, Improper driving on laned road, DUI-liquor/drugs, Arrested 7/15</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are not available.Norman Parde Jr., Transporting an open container, Aggravated endangering a child, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/15Jamon Greer, Transporting an open container, Arrested 7/16Henry Harper, DUI-liquor or drugs, Arrested 7/16Kolten Bracebridge, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/16Christopher Adee, Domestic battery, Arrested 7/16Robin Bond, Disorderly conduct, Arrested 7/17Kiera Rice, Duty of Governor to arrest person charged who has fled from justice, Arrested 7/17Christopher Rafferty-Sisneros, Unsafe turning or stopping; failure to give proper signal vehicles, Vehicles; operate vehicle without registration or with expired tag, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/18Kasia Glassford, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/18Morgan Matthews, failure to appear, Arrested 7/18Tyeler Gorton, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/18Peter Henry, Outside warrant, Arrested 7/18Robert Gaarder, Cancelled/suspended/revoked driver's license, Arrested 7/14Chase Mason, Possession of marijuana ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/14Davin Banks, Cancelled / suspended / revoked driver's license, Driving without lights when needed, Arrested 7/15Johnny Cole Jr., Violation of protection order, Arrested 7/15Nathan Bowen, No signal / unsafe turning / stopping, Arrested 7/15Alyssa Ortega, Aggravated endangering a child, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Driving without headlights when needed, Arrested 7/15Stefan Dixon, Failure to appear ( 3 counts ), Arrested 7/15Joseph Mason, Aggravated assault, Use of a deadly weapon, Arrested 7/15Lindsey Black, Failure to yield from private road or driveway, Improper turn or approach.Sylas Mottley, Transporting an open container alcohol, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, No proof of insurance, Cancelled / suspended / revoked driver's license, Defective tag lamp, Arrested 7/15Recent 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 July 17-18-19

Planning has been under way for a 911 ceremony on Sept. 11 in Junction City. Ronna Larson, City Commissioner, said it will begin at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Municipal Building. "There will be an agenda with a color guard and laying of a wreath. "Emergency vehicles will be out. JCPD is going to cook hotdogs, have chips and drinks available. So please come out."

Local law enforcement, fire, emergency management and city management have been meeting with Larson to plan the event.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostPlanning has been under way for a 911 ceremony on Sept. 11 in Junction City. Ronna Larson, City Commissioner, said it will begin at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Municipal Building. "There will be an agenda with a color guard and laying of a wreath. "Emergency vehicles will be out. JCPD is going to cook hotdogs, have chips and drinks available. So please come out."Local law enforcement, fire, emergency management and city management have been meeting with Larson to plan the event.

Junction City will have a 911 ceremony in 2023

State Representative Nate Butler has encouraged the Junction City Commission to retain the City's membership in the Flint Hills Regional Council. Butler noted that eliminating the membership would be a&nbsp; mistake and the City could lose a seat at the table. "We need a seat at the table if we want to be regional."

The Executive Director for Junction City Main Street, Michaela Self, als0 noted that the Council had helped finance funding through the Main Street program during the last year. She encouraged support to continue membership in the council.

Commissioners were in session Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623872763481.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostState Representative Nate Butler has encouraged the Junction City Commission to retain the City's membership in the Flint Hills Regional Council. Butler noted that eliminating the membership would be a&nbsp; mistake and the City could lose a seat at the table. "We need a seat at the table if we want to be regional."The Executive Director for Junction City Main Street, Michaela Self, als0 noted that the Council had helped finance funding through the Main Street program during the last year. She encouraged support to continue membership in the council.Commissioners were in session Tuesday night.

City urged to remain in the Flint Hills Regional Council

Pilot program Nov. 7-9 open to Kansas resident applicants for undergraduate school

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously voted Tuesday to create a three-day window during November in which public colleges and universities in the state would waive undergraduate application fees for Kansas residents regardless of a person’s income or age.

The pilot project scheduled for Nov. 7-9, 2023, would attempt to address the 11.5 percentage point decline between 2014 and 2021 in the rate of Kansas high school graduates who enrolled within one year at any of more than 30 public institutions under jurisdiction of the Board of Regents.

The free application initiative, modeled after a similar effort in Colorado, would be open to Kansas residents interested in enrolling as undergraduate students. Eligible persons would include first-time freshmen, transfer students, returning students and those seeking a second bachelor’s degree. Application fees in Kansas ranged from $25 to $40.

The Board of Regents’ pilot project wouldn’t be available to nonresident applicants nor to individuals applying to graduate school.

The project would cost state universities about $1 million annually in application fee revenue typically spent on admissions staff and enrollment management operations. University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University would surrender more than two-thirds of that revenue total. Pittsburg State University doesn’t have an undergraduate application fee. Community colleges in Kansas don’t have a general application fee, but technical colleges do.

The pilot would likely produce more “soft” applications from people who don’t actually enroll at a public institution in Kansas, but advocates believe it could draw more students into a higher education system struggling to sustain enrollment numbers.

“What are some of the things we can do right now to remove barriers and kind of better position ourselves to have a more robust high school-to-college pipeline?” said Daniel Archer, vice president for academic affairs with the Board of Regents.

Archer said evidence of the state’s challenge could be found in statistics comparing Kansas public college enrollment in 2014 and 2021, which was during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said 58.9% of Kansas high school graduates enrolled within one year at a Kansas public college or university in 2014. That percentage fell to 43.7% in 2021.

Comparable statistics along racial and ethnic lines in Kansas indicated Hispanic enrollment in that period plummeted from 50% to 31.9%, he said. Black enrollment crashed over those seven years from 51.5% to 32.7%, while white enrollment slid from 56.8% to 48.1%.

“Really critical, I think, to emphasize that we’re going to look at the total number of applicants as well as the total number of applicants by race and ethnicity,” Archer said.

Cynthia Lane, a member of the Board of Regents and a retired Kansas public school administrator, said the higher education board should measure the pilot project in terms of how application fees influenced prospective students. She said the experiment should be useful in development of recruiting strategies for the state’s public universities.

The precise window established by the Board of Regents would be 12 a.m. Nov. 7 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 9. Applications could be filled out in advance, but would need to be submitted during the three-day window.

Five years ago, Colorado started an Apply Free day for the state’s residents. It began with a one-day fee holiday in October. Marketing was conducted in English and Spanish. Residents of that state were given the opportunity to apply without charge to undergraduate programs at all state public and some private Colorado colleges and universities.

In 2020, the third year of the Colorado program, 56,800 applications were filed in a single day. That amounted to a 28% increase in interest compared to the program’s first year. In Colorado, 44% of the third-year applications were submitted by students of color and 28% by first-generation students. Colorado moved to a three-day window in 2021 to better deal with the avalanche of applications.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689701157243.png" alt=" Kansas Board of Regents member Cindy Lane endorsed creation of a three-day window in November for public colleges and universities in Kansas to waive application fees for Kansas residents seeking to enroll as undergraduate students. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Board of Regents member Cindy Lane endorsed creation of a three-day window in November for public colleges and universities in Kansas to waive application fees for Kansas residents seeking to enroll as undergraduate students. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Pilot program Nov. 7-9 open to Kansas resident applicants for undergraduate school</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously voted Tuesday to create a three-day window during November in which public colleges and universities in the state would waive undergraduate application fees for Kansas residents regardless of a person’s income or age.The pilot project scheduled for Nov. 7-9, 2023, would attempt to address the 11.5 percentage point decline between 2014 and 2021 in the rate of Kansas high school graduates who enrolled within one year at any of more than 30 public institutions under jurisdiction of the Board of Regents.The free application initiative, modeled after a similar effort in Colorado, would be open to Kansas residents interested in enrolling as undergraduate students. Eligible persons would include first-time freshmen, transfer students, returning students and those seeking a second bachelor’s degree. Application fees in Kansas ranged from $25 to $40.The Board of Regents’ pilot project wouldn’t be available to nonresident applicants nor to individuals applying to graduate school.The project would cost state universities about $1 million annually in application fee revenue typically spent on admissions staff and enrollment management operations. University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University would surrender more than two-thirds of that revenue total. Pittsburg State University doesn’t have an undergraduate application fee. Community colleges in Kansas don’t have a general application fee, but technical colleges do.The pilot would likely produce more “soft” applications from people who don’t actually enroll at a public institution in Kansas, but advocates believe it could draw more students into a higher education system struggling to sustain enrollment numbers.“What are some of the things we can do right now to remove barriers and kind of better position ourselves to have a more robust high school-to-college pipeline?” said Daniel Archer, vice president for academic affairs with the Board of Regents.Archer said evidence of the state’s challenge could be found in statistics comparing Kansas public college enrollment in 2014 and 2021, which was during the COVID-19 pandemic.He said 58.9% of Kansas high school graduates enrolled within one year at a Kansas public college or university in 2014. That percentage fell to 43.7% in 2021.Comparable statistics along racial and ethnic lines in Kansas indicated Hispanic enrollment in that period plummeted from 50% to 31.9%, he said. Black enrollment crashed over those seven years from 51.5% to 32.7%, while white enrollment slid from 56.8% to 48.1%.“Really critical, I think, to emphasize that we’re going to look at the total number of applicants as well as the total number of applicants by race and ethnicity,” Archer said.Cynthia Lane, a member of the Board of Regents and a retired Kansas public school administrator, said the higher education board should measure the pilot project in terms of how application fees influenced prospective students. She said the experiment should be useful in development of recruiting strategies for the state’s public universities.The precise window established by the Board of Regents would be 12 a.m. Nov. 7 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 9. Applications could be filled out in advance, but would need to be submitted during the three-day window.Five years ago, Colorado started an Apply Free day for the state’s residents. It began with a one-day fee holiday in October. Marketing was conducted in English and Spanish. Residents of that state were given the opportunity to apply without charge to undergraduate programs at all state public and some private Colorado colleges and universities.In 2020, the third year of the Colorado program, 56,800 applications were filed in a single day. That amounted to a 28% increase in interest compared to the program’s first year. In Colorado, 44% of the third-year applications were submitted by students of color and 28% by first-generation students. Colorado moved to a three-day window in 2021 to better deal with the avalanche of applications.

Kan. Board of Regents creates 3-day free application option at public universities, colleges

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly announced that since its launch in July 2022, the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline connects notably more Kansans to mental health resources in the Lifeline’s first full year of operation. In its first year, 9-8-8 saw a 73% increase in contacts compared to the year before the implementation of the three-digit dialing code.&nbsp;&nbsp;

July 16 marked the official&nbsp;first&nbsp;anniversary of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, which connects&nbsp;everyone in the U.S. to a national network of local and state-funded crisis centers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free and confidential support with trained crisis counselors.&nbsp;

“Investing in&nbsp;mental health&nbsp;resources like 9-8-8&nbsp;is&nbsp;critical to&nbsp;saving the lives of Kansans in crisis,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“These services&nbsp;make a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;impact&nbsp;by&nbsp;knocking&nbsp;down barriers and&nbsp;stigmas&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;mental health&nbsp;and&nbsp;connecting&nbsp;people to&nbsp;necessary mental health care&nbsp;professionals and resources.”&nbsp;

National&nbsp;usage&nbsp;is&nbsp;rising&nbsp;as 9-8-8&nbsp;received&nbsp;more than 4 million&nbsp;contacts&nbsp;since&nbsp;its launch last July, according to data from Vibrant Emotional Health, the organization appointed by the federal government to oversee the line. In Kansas, that number is&nbsp;approximately 24,000&nbsp;through June this year —&nbsp;a&nbsp;73%&nbsp;increase over&nbsp;the 10-digit hotline number&nbsp;that received 13,867&nbsp;over the same period the previous year&nbsp;(July-June).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kelly administration’s investment in 9-8-8 has&nbsp;improved&nbsp;in-state answer rates, making Kansas one of only 12 states nationally&nbsp;to maintain a rate of 90% or better consistently. According to data from Vibrant, 9-8-8 centers in Kansas have&nbsp;held&nbsp;an in-state call-answer rate of 88% to 92% month-over-month amid increased call volume. Just a few years ago, Kansas answered about 60% of National Suicide Prevention Line (NSPL) calls in-state, with many calls rolling over to national backup centers.&nbsp;

Kansas has also performed better than its national peers on average wait times (also known as speed to answer). That rate in Kansas is 21 seconds, outpacing the national average of 35 seconds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The efforts of our&nbsp;state&nbsp;leadership and strategic&nbsp;community&nbsp;partners&nbsp;have&nbsp;led to the&nbsp;successful&nbsp;implementation of&nbsp;an exceptional&nbsp;mental health resource that is meeting the needs of thousands of Kansans trying to manage crisis in their daily lives,”&nbsp;KDADS Secretary Laura&nbsp;Howard said. “I think the increase in the number of contacts we’ve seen in the last year bears that out,&nbsp;and we can proudly say that every call, text,&nbsp;or chat we receive has the potential to be life-changing or&nbsp;lifesaving.”&nbsp;

Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters (KSPHQ) reports receiving an average of 1,230 calls each month from July 2022-June2023. An average of 15 calls, or 1.2%, per month resulted in emergency dispatch (response by emergency services for imminent risk of harm generally — though not always —with the caller’s permission). KSPHQ focuses on working collaboratively with callers to avoid emergency intervention and resolve crises during the initial contact and is equipped to connect callers to emergency service alternatives like mobile response teams and crisis-receiving facilities where available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"KSPHQ has been so honored to provide lifesaving services throughout Kansas during this first year of 9-8-8,”&nbsp;said Monica Kurz, vp of policy &amp; prevention, KSPHQ. “The success we’ve had in delivering timely and high-quality crisis mental health support to our neighbors is a testament to the passion and dedication of our counselors and staff as well as the state's investment in crisis mental health services."&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657909299467.png" alt="98" />
 <figcaption>98</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly announced that since its launch in July 2022, the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline connects notably more Kansans to mental health resources in the Lifeline’s first full year of operation. In its first year, 9-8-8 saw a 73% increase in contacts compared to the year before the implementation of the three-digit dialing code.&nbsp;&nbsp;July 16 marked the official&nbsp;first&nbsp;anniversary of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, which connects&nbsp;everyone in the U.S. to a national network of local and state-funded crisis centers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free and confidential support with trained crisis counselors.&nbsp;“Investing in&nbsp;mental health&nbsp;resources like 9-8-8&nbsp;is&nbsp;critical to&nbsp;saving the lives of Kansans in crisis,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“These services&nbsp;make a&nbsp;positive&nbsp;impact&nbsp;by&nbsp;knocking&nbsp;down barriers and&nbsp;stigmas&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;mental health&nbsp;and&nbsp;connecting&nbsp;people to&nbsp;necessary mental health care&nbsp;professionals and resources.”&nbsp;National&nbsp;usage&nbsp;is&nbsp;rising&nbsp;as 9-8-8&nbsp;received&nbsp;more than 4 million&nbsp;contacts&nbsp;since&nbsp;its launch last July, according to data from Vibrant Emotional Health, the organization appointed by the federal government to oversee the line. In Kansas, that number is&nbsp;approximately 24,000&nbsp;through June this year —&nbsp;a&nbsp;73%&nbsp;increase over&nbsp;the 10-digit hotline number&nbsp;that received 13,867&nbsp;over the same period the previous year&nbsp;(July-June).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kelly administration’s investment in 9-8-8 has&nbsp;improved&nbsp;in-state answer rates, making Kansas one of only 12 states nationally&nbsp;to maintain a rate of 90% or better consistently. According to data from Vibrant, 9-8-8 centers in Kansas have&nbsp;held&nbsp;an in-state call-answer rate of 88% to 92% month-over-month amid increased call volume. Just a few years ago, Kansas answered about 60% of National Suicide Prevention Line (NSPL) calls in-state, with many calls rolling over to national backup centers.&nbsp;Kansas has also performed better than its national peers on average wait times (also known as speed to answer). That rate in Kansas is 21 seconds, outpacing the national average of 35 seconds.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The efforts of our&nbsp;state&nbsp;leadership and strategic&nbsp;community&nbsp;partners&nbsp;have&nbsp;led to the&nbsp;successful&nbsp;implementation of&nbsp;an exceptional&nbsp;mental health resource that is meeting the needs of thousands of Kansans trying to manage crisis in their daily lives,”&nbsp;KDADS Secretary Laura&nbsp;Howard said. “I think the increase in the number of contacts we’ve seen in the last year bears that out,&nbsp;and we can proudly say that every call, text,&nbsp;or chat we receive has the potential to be life-changing or&nbsp;lifesaving.”&nbsp;Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters (KSPHQ) reports receiving an average of 1,230 calls each month from July 2022-June2023. An average of 15 calls, or 1.2%, per month resulted in emergency dispatch (response by emergency services for imminent risk of harm generally — though not always —with the caller’s permission). KSPHQ focuses on working collaboratively with callers to avoid emergency intervention and resolve crises during the initial contact and is equipped to connect callers to emergency service alternatives like mobile response teams and crisis-receiving facilities where available.&nbsp;&nbsp;"KSPHQ has been so honored to provide lifesaving services throughout Kansas during this first year of 9-8-8,”&nbsp;said Monica Kurz, vp of policy &amp; prevention, KSPHQ. “The success we’ve had in delivering timely and high-quality crisis mental health support to our neighbors is a testament to the passion and dedication of our counselors and staff as well as the state's investment in crisis mental health services."&nbsp;&nbsp;

9-8-8 suicide lifeline sees 73% more crisis contacts in Kansas' first year of operation

The Junction City Police Officers’ Association with the collaboration of the Junction City Police Department are holding its 2nd annual Shop With A Cop Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament will be at 10:00 am (Shotgun start) on September 30th&nbsp;at the Rolling Meadows Golf Course with registration starting at 8:30 am.&nbsp;All Proceeds raised by the Golf Tournament will be donated to the Shop With A Cop charity event held every December. 

Shop With A Cop is a charity event where 100 less fortunate children from Junction City/Geary County are taken to Wal-Mart to shop with a police officer where $150 worth of gifts are bought plus jackets, coats, gloves, beanie caps and shoes are given to each child.&nbsp;The tournament will be a “How Low Can You Go?” format meaning every 4-man team hits from the closest Tee Box, and each green will have 8” holes (2x normal size). Entry to the tournament is $60 per golfer ($240 per team). Only 25 teams allowed, so the first 25 paid teams will be allowed to play. Buy-in includes green fees, cart rental, range token, and lunch.

Teams can sign up at the Junction City Police Department where forms are available (210 E. 9th St. Junction City, KS 66441) or at the Rolling Meadows Golf Course. More information is available by calling (785) 762-5912 and asking for Sergeant Borges or Cadin Sanner.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The Association is also asking local businesses or individuals for assistance in raising money for the charity. The business or individual can sponsor a hole at the golf course for $150 which will include the business logo on a yard sign that will be posted on a hole of the golf course. If interested in sponsoring a hole please contact us.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with set up, registration (morning only), raffles the day of, beer cart and food preparation, if interested please contact Sgt. Borges (Eliel.borges@jcks.com) or Cadin Sanner (Cadin.Sanner@jcks.com).

The Junction City Police Officers’ Association with the collaboration of the Junction City Police Department are holding its 2nd annual Shop With A Cop Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament will be at 10:00 am (Shotgun start) on September 30th&nbsp;at the Rolling Meadows Golf Course with registration starting at 8:30 am.&nbsp;All Proceeds raised by the Golf Tournament will be donated to the Shop With A Cop charity event held every December. Shop With A Cop is a charity event where 100 less fortunate children from Junction City/Geary County are taken to Wal-Mart to shop with a police officer where $150 worth of gifts are bought plus jackets, coats, gloves, beanie caps and shoes are given to each child.&nbsp;The tournament will be a “How Low Can You Go?” format meaning every 4-man team hits from the closest Tee Box, and each green will have 8” holes (2x normal size). Entry to the tournament is $60 per golfer ($240 per team). Only 25 teams allowed, so the first 25 paid teams will be allowed to play. Buy-in includes green fees, cart rental, range token, and lunch.Teams can sign up at the Junction City Police Department where forms are available (210 E. 9th St. Junction City, KS 66441) or at the Rolling Meadows Golf Course. More information is available by calling (785) 762-5912 and asking for Sergeant Borges or Cadin Sanner.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Association is also asking local businesses or individuals for assistance in raising money for the charity. The business or individual can sponsor a hole at the golf course for $150 which will include the business logo on a yard sign that will be posted on a hole of the golf course. If interested in sponsoring a hole please contact us.We are also looking for volunteers to help with set up, registration (morning only), raffles the day of, beer cart and food preparation, if interested please contact Sgt. Borges (Eliel.borges@jcks.com) or Cadin Sanner (Cadin.Sanner@jcks.com).

Shop with a Cop charity golf tournament will be held Sept. 30th

The Junction City Municipal Building will be the site of a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday and Friday July 20th and 21st. The hours on the 20th will be 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on the 21st 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be a free Shark Week T-Shirt for donors while supplies last. To donate blood call 1-800-REDCROSS.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThe Junction City Municipal Building will be the site of a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday and Friday July 20th and 21st. The hours on the 20th will be 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on the 21st 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.There will be a free Shark Week T-Shirt for donors while supplies last. To donate blood call 1-800-REDCROSS.

 Red Cross schedules a blood drive in Junction City

Registration Day for the upcoming school year at Saint Xavier will be July 26th. Parents and students can take care of all their registration needs. They can complete registration packets and tuition agreements, collect the school year calendar, supply lists, cafeteria forms, activities schedule and physical forms and more.

Uniforms can be tried on and ordered, and you can purchase and order Saint Xavier spirit wear.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689709924710.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostRegistration Day for the upcoming school year at Saint Xavier will be July 26th. Parents and students can take care of all their registration needs. They can complete registration packets and tuition agreements, collect the school year calendar, supply lists, cafeteria forms, activities schedule and physical forms and more.Uniforms can be tried on and ordered, and you can purchase and order Saint Xavier spirit wear.

Saint Xavier School will host Registration Day

RILEY COUNTY, KAN.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today joined the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to formally celebrate the grand re-opening of Fancy Creek Shooting Range at Tuttle Creek State Park. Demolition and construction of the range began in July 2021, and the range reopened to the public last month, according to a media release from Kelly's office.

“Investing in public spaces adds tremendous value to our quality of life as Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“I’m proud that this shooting range is now open to the public and will continue to promote a culture of gun safety and responsibility on the grounds of one of our 29 incredible Kansas state parks.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The complete renovation includes the construction of concrete baffles, sidewalls, and firing line covers consisting of a 14-position, 100-yard rifle range, a 12-position 50-meter handgun and rifle range, and two 15-position, 15-yard handgun ranges. The reopened outdoor shooting facility maximizes shooting opportunities while occupying a smaller footprint than traditional dirt berm ranges.&nbsp;

“Fancy Creek Shooting Range will provide a valuable location for beginners to learn the fundamentals of firearms and range safety, and seasoned shooters are sure to appreciate this state-of-the-art facility,”&nbsp;said Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Secretary Brad Loveless.&nbsp;“I’d like to recognize our state parks staff, our engineers, our contractors, and our range volunteers for their roles in updating and maintaining this quality facility. Their collaboration and partnership have played a pivotal role in ensuring the overall safety and functionality of this range, and I know I speak for all future range users when I say, we’re thankful for it.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689701944955.png" alt="Demolition and construction of the range began in July 2021, and the range reopened to the public last month-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Demolition and construction of the range began in July 2021, and the range reopened to the public last month-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY, KAN.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today joined the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to formally celebrate the grand re-opening of Fancy Creek Shooting Range at Tuttle Creek State Park. Demolition and construction of the range began in July 2021, and the range reopened to the public last month, according to a media release from Kelly's office.“Investing in public spaces adds tremendous value to our quality of life as Kansans,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“I’m proud that this shooting range is now open to the public and will continue to promote a culture of gun safety and responsibility on the grounds of one of our 29 incredible Kansas state parks.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The complete renovation includes the construction of concrete baffles, sidewalls, and firing line covers consisting of a 14-position, 100-yard rifle range, a 12-position 50-meter handgun and rifle range, and two 15-position, 15-yard handgun ranges. The reopened outdoor shooting facility maximizes shooting opportunities while occupying a smaller footprint than traditional dirt berm ranges.&nbsp;“Fancy Creek Shooting Range will provide a valuable location for beginners to learn the fundamentals of firearms and range safety, and seasoned shooters are sure to appreciate this state-of-the-art facility,”&nbsp;said Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Secretary Brad Loveless.&nbsp;“I’d like to recognize our state parks staff, our engineers, our contractors, and our range volunteers for their roles in updating and maintaining this quality facility. Their collaboration and partnership have played a pivotal role in ensuring the overall safety and functionality of this range, and I know I speak for all future range users when I say, we’re thankful for it.”&nbsp;

Governor Kelly cuts ribbon on redesigned Fancy Creek Shooting Range

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft in Manhattan.

On Monday evening, officers filed a report for theft by deception, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 A 23-year-old woman reported she sent a $500 deposit to a 25-year-old male suspect to buy a dog, but never received the dog or the money back.

Police released no additional details early Tuesday.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft in Manhattan.On Monday evening, officers filed a report for theft by deception, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 23-year-old woman reported she sent a $500 deposit to a 25-year-old male suspect to buy a dog, but never received the dog or the money back.Police released no additional details early Tuesday.

RCPD: Woman lost $500 deposit in attempt to buy dog

Fort Riley officials have posted via social media that portions of Marshall Ave near the intersection of Henry Drive will be closed for road construction beginning July 19, and that is expected to last through August 11. Plan to use alternate routes during this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689684463706.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fort Riley officials have posted via social media that portions of Marshall Ave near the intersection of Henry Drive will be closed for road construction beginning July 19, and that is expected to last through August 11. Plan to use alternate routes during this time.

Army provides notice of a road closure

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2017 Ford F650 driven by Mikel Keith Pruitt, 61, Miltonvale, was westbound on Interstate 70 one mile east of Vera Road.

The truck left the roadway, crossed the median and eastbound lanes, entered the south ditch, traveled through a fence and struck a concrete barrier.

EMS transported Pruitt to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Wabaunsee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2017 Ford F650 driven by Mikel Keith Pruitt, 61, Miltonvale, was westbound on Interstate 70 one mile east of Vera Road.The truck left the roadway, crossed the median and eastbound lanes, entered the south ditch, traveled through a fence and struck a concrete barrier.EMS transported Pruitt to Stormont Vail. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after violent I-70 truck crash

This is day 12 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.

Wheat harvest continues to be a slog with producers fighting rains and weeds to get the crop across the scale. Harvest is now 71 percent complete, well behind 98 percent last year and 94 percent for the five-year average, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop progress report for the week ending July 16, 2023.&nbsp;

In the far southwestern corner of the state, Morgan Walls with Elkhart Co-op reports wheat harvest in Morton County has been a drag. Weather has been inhibitive; quality has been a challenge and weeds continue to be a struggle.&nbsp;

Wheat harvest here should be wrapped up by the fourth of July, but this year that’s when the first loads hit the scales. With rain delays that have continuously deteriorated test weights, wheat harvest should finally finish by the end of the week.&nbsp;

But it’s hard to gauge where harvest is at, as 70 to 75 percent of planted acres were zeroed out by crop insurance, and more acres were taken out by spotty hail in the last couple of weeks. Test weights are averaging lighter than preferred at about 58 pounds per bushel with protein ranging between 12 and 14 percent. Yields are all over the place, from five bushels an acre all the way up to a very small area that had timely moisture and is seeing averages around 70 bushels per acre.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Following a busy weekend of cutting in Ness County harvest is all but done, according to Brad Cowan, general manager of CGS in Bazine. After having started cutting around June 23, producers are just tired after fighting the weeds, fighting the weather and fighting green wheat.&nbsp;

Yields ranged from 15 to 55 bushels per acre with test weights averaging 59.6 pounds per bushel and average protein coming in consistently just short of 13 percent. Fields that were close, but not released by crop insurance, benefitted from a perfect two-week period of filling weather, resulting in yields at 25 to 30 bushels per acre.&nbsp;

Weeds have been a continuous struggle, which means more work for the elevators. CGS will take in about the same number of bushels as last year, which is roughly half of the five-year average. That wheat will be loaded by train onto the short line and delivered to flour mills in eastern Kansas.&nbsp;

Weeds are also the main struggle in Meade County, where Dave Strecker with Alliance Ag and Grain LLC reported from Fowler in the eastern part of the county. Harvest here has been going on for a long time, having started around June 27 and still only about three-quarters finished.&nbsp;

Strecker said grain quality is pretty good with better than average proteins, but bushels are down dramatically due to approximately 65 percent abandonment of planted acres. There are several producers who won’t bring a single bushel of wheat to town.&nbsp;

The wheat that is coming in is yielding 20 to 35 bushels per acre, compared to the 60 to 70 bushels per acre for a normal year. Overall, he estimated the area will take in a maximum of 25 percent of bushels compared to the five-year average.&nbsp;

But, by this time next week, Strecker expects that all the wheat that will be harvested will be in the bin. And that’s much-needed as the corn is tasseling. He estimated only five weeks until the first load of dryland corn arrives, not a lot of time for the elevators to turn house and prepare for fall harvest.&nbsp;

With triple-digit temperatures expected in coming days, producers will likely make quick harvest progress if summer storms stay away. Stay tuned as the Kansas Wheat crew continues to share results from the field with the next report scheduled for July 18.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689639526635.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Julia Debes for Kansas WheatThis is day 12 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.Wheat harvest continues to be a slog with producers fighting rains and weeds to get the crop across the scale. Harvest is now 71 percent complete, well behind 98 percent last year and 94 percent for the five-year average, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop progress report for the week ending July 16, 2023.&nbsp;In the far southwestern corner of the state, Morgan Walls with Elkhart Co-op reports wheat harvest in Morton County has been a drag. Weather has been inhibitive; quality has been a challenge and weeds continue to be a struggle.&nbsp;Wheat harvest here should be wrapped up by the fourth of July, but this year that’s when the first loads hit the scales. With rain delays that have continuously deteriorated test weights, wheat harvest should finally finish by the end of the week.&nbsp;But it’s hard to gauge where harvest is at, as 70 to 75 percent of planted acres were zeroed out by crop insurance, and more acres were taken out by spotty hail in the last couple of weeks. Test weights are averaging lighter than preferred at about 58 pounds per bushel with protein ranging between 12 and 14 percent. Yields are all over the place, from five bushels an acre all the way up to a very small area that had timely moisture and is seeing averages around 70 bushels per acre.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following a busy weekend of cutting in Ness County harvest is all but done, according to Brad Cowan, general manager of CGS in Bazine. After having started cutting around June 23, producers are just tired after fighting the weeds, fighting the weather and fighting green wheat.&nbsp;Yields ranged from 15 to 55 bushels per acre with test weights averaging 59.6 pounds per bushel and average protein coming in consistently just short of 13 percent. Fields that were close, but not released by crop insurance, benefitted from a perfect two-week period of filling weather, resulting in yields at 25 to 30 bushels per acre.&nbsp;Weeds have been a continuous struggle, which means more work for the elevators. CGS will take in about the same number of bushels as last year, which is roughly half of the five-year average. That wheat will be loaded by train onto the short line and delivered to flour mills in eastern Kansas.&nbsp;Weeds are also the main struggle in Meade County, where Dave Strecker with Alliance Ag and Grain LLC reported from Fowler in the eastern part of the county. Harvest here has been going on for a long time, having started around June 27 and still only about three-quarters finished.&nbsp;Strecker said grain quality is pretty good with better than average proteins, but bushels are down dramatically due to approximately 65 percent abandonment of planted acres. There are several producers who won’t bring a single bushel of wheat to town.&nbsp;The wheat that is coming in is yielding 20 to 35 bushels per acre, compared to the 60 to 70 bushels per acre for a normal year. Overall, he estimated the area will take in a maximum of 25 percent of bushels compared to the five-year average.&nbsp;But, by this time next week, Strecker expects that all the wheat that will be harvested will be in the bin. And that’s much-needed as the corn is tasseling. He estimated only five weeks until the first load of dryland corn arrives, not a lot of time for the elevators to turn house and prepare for fall harvest.&nbsp;With triple-digit temperatures expected in coming days, producers will likely make quick harvest progress if summer storms stay away. Stay tuned as the Kansas Wheat crew continues to share results from the field with the next report scheduled for July 18.&nbsp;The 2023 Harvest Report is 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 on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 12, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

Junction City High School FFA sponsor Laura Miller and students have been honored for their accomplishments in June. Miller had 20 teams that competed in the Kansas FFA State Agriscience Fair. Thirteen finished in first place and can now have an opportunity for their research to be named a national finalist.

Lilye Cartwright, Mikayla Dibben, Kourtney Dibben, Emma Hinds and Keiondrae Wilcox, Jordan's Thiem and Zeke Witt, Alex Bunch, Jace Goggins and Chris Henry.

Others included Keira Gliniecki, Kenzie Forbus and Eliana Re, Kaitlyn Sohnrey and Brianna Wallace, Grady Oentrich, Grant Roeser and Blake Proetti, and Chloe Wilson.

Junction City High School FFA sponsor Laura Miller and students have been honored for their accomplishments in June. Miller had 20 teams that competed in the Kansas FFA State Agriscience Fair. Thirteen finished in first place and can now have an opportunity for their research to be named a national finalist.Winning teams included:Lilye Cartwright, Mikayla Dibben, Kourtney Dibben, Emma Hinds and Keiondrae Wilcox, Jordan's Thiem and Zeke Witt, Alex Bunch, Jace Goggins and Chris Henry.Others included Keira Gliniecki, Kenzie Forbus and Eliana Re, Kaitlyn Sohnrey and Brianna Wallace, Grady Oentrich, Grant Roeser and Blake Proetti, and Chloe Wilson.

FFA members are honored

Geary county Commissioners received the annual report from the Health Department Monday.

There were a number of topics touched on by Charles Martinez from the department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689631481571.jpeg" alt="Geary County Health Department" />
 <figcaption>Geary County Health Department</figcaption>
 </figure>Geary county Commissioners received the annual report from the Health Department Monday.There were a number of topics touched on by Charles Martinez from the department.--The administration updated all policies.--There were efforts to improve trust in the community with the department.--They worked to get the homeless shelter open.--The department worked with other nonprofits to assist them.--The state chose the department for the Nutrition Matters pilot program.--Increases in teen pregnancies and STI's were identified. There will be an overall campaign on secure health awareness,--Some harmful health behaviors had decreases including smoking and a lack of healthy foods.