JUNCTION CITY — Local internet provider Twin Valley recently received the Eldon L. Hoyle Award for its Economic Development contributions at the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Showcase, the company announced in a news release.

Eldon L. Hoyle, for whom the award is named, died in 2011 but left a remarkable legacy in his hometown of Junction City. Hoyle believed strongly in his community and held numerous elected and volunteer positions over the years. An exemplary leader in both his community and the economic development field, the award honors his many contributions to Junction City. Daughter Shelley Hoyle Kite presented the award, accepted by Twin Valley’s Chief Customer Officer Eric Tabor.

"We are honored to receive this award and be recognized in such an incredible community so dedicated to keeping the Junction City economy moving forward," Tabor said. "Thank you to our many local partners and the chamber of commerce for the leadership, engagement and support that has been a pillar of our success here."

The company is investing more than $20 million into the community to provide fiber internet service to Junction City businesses and residents. This infrastructure improvement is essential to accelerating community revitalization, as it enables the community to attract and retain businesses, families and talent in the area. It sets the stage for exponential growth, expanding remote work opportunities, fostering innovation, and fueling new business formation. Construction has an immediate and ongoing economic impact, as it brings dozens of workers into Junction City on a daily basis.

For Twin Valley, community support goes beyond the infrastructure investment. Residents who qualify for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program can get internet service completely free of charge, with a $30 ACP benefit in combination with Twin Valley’s supplemental financial assistance program. Reliable internet access is a necessity for the modern household's quality of life. Programs of this kind are a testament to the company’s pledge of providing customers with the most reliable network at the best value, all while creating real opportunities for generational change.

Residential installations are underway, with new neighborhoods to be turned up this spring. Residents can influence the order in which areas are built by signing up for service. Twin Valley offers simple pricing, and no contract is required for residential service. Plans start at under $50 for 300 Mbps symmetrical, with upgraded packages providing up to 2 Gbps symmetrical.

An interactive map and all up-to-date information is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://twinvalley.net/jcfiber">twinvalley.net/jcfiber</a>. For new service inquiries in Junction City, there is also a dedicated phone line available at 888.961.6144. Information about financial assistance programs is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://twinvalley.net/assistance">twinvalley.net/assistance</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680122723606.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JUNCTION CITY — Local internet provider Twin Valley recently received the Eldon L. Hoyle Award for its Economic Development contributions at the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Showcase, the company announced in a news release.Eldon L. Hoyle, for whom the award is named, died in 2011 but left a remarkable legacy in his hometown of Junction City. Hoyle believed strongly in his community and held numerous elected and volunteer positions over the years. An exemplary leader in both his community and the economic development field, the award honors his many contributions to Junction City. Daughter Shelley Hoyle Kite presented the award, accepted by Twin Valley’s Chief Customer Officer Eric Tabor."We are honored to receive this award and be recognized in such an incredible community so dedicated to keeping the Junction City economy moving forward," Tabor said. "Thank you to our many local partners and the chamber of commerce for the leadership, engagement and support that has been a pillar of our success here."The company is investing more than $20 million into the community to provide fiber internet service to Junction City businesses and residents. This infrastructure improvement is essential to accelerating community revitalization, as it enables the community to attract and retain businesses, families and talent in the area. It sets the stage for exponential growth, expanding remote work opportunities, fostering innovation, and fueling new business formation. Construction has an immediate and ongoing economic impact, as it brings dozens of workers into Junction City on a daily basis.For Twin Valley, community support goes beyond the infrastructure investment. Residents who qualify for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program can get internet service completely free of charge, with a $30 ACP benefit in combination with Twin Valley’s supplemental financial assistance program. Reliable internet access is a necessity for the modern household's quality of life. Programs of this kind are a testament to the company’s pledge of providing customers with the most reliable network at the best value, all while creating real opportunities for generational change.Residential installations are underway, with new neighborhoods to be turned up this spring. Residents can influence the order in which areas are built by signing up for service. Twin Valley offers simple pricing, and no contract is required for residential service. Plans start at under $50 for 300 Mbps symmetrical, with upgraded packages providing up to 2 Gbps symmetrical.An interactive map and all up-to-date information is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://twinvalley.net/jcfiber">twinvalley.net/jcfiber</a>. For new service inquiries in Junction City, there is also a dedicated phone line available at 888.961.6144. Information about financial assistance programs is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://twinvalley.net/assistance">twinvalley.net/assistance</a>.

Twin Valley receives economic development award for Junction City fiber build

From the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069239108579">Abilene Police Dept. Facebook page</a>:

In an effort to both prevent and solve crime, the Abilene Police Department has partnered with Flock Safety to install two automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in Abilene.

These license plate readers have the ability to send real-time alerts to law enforcement when a stolen car or known wanted suspect from a national crime database passes by a camera. They can also send alerts if a vehicle associated with a missing person in AMBER or Silver Alert is detected.

Each ALPR inquiry requires a justification, and the data is never sold or shared with third parties. The cameras will be used to solve and reduce property and violent crime and are not intended for minor traffic or parking violations.

Flock Safety cameras are utilized by over 2,000 law enforcement agencies in 42 states. Law enforcement agencies have reported crime reductions of up to 70% when deploying Flock Safety in their communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

From the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069239108579">Abilene Police Dept. Facebook page</a>:In an effort to both prevent and solve crime, the Abilene Police Department has partnered with Flock Safety to install two automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in Abilene.These license plate readers have the ability to send real-time alerts to law enforcement when a stolen car or known wanted suspect from a national crime database passes by a camera. They can also send alerts if a vehicle associated with a missing person in AMBER or Silver Alert is detected.Each ALPR inquiry requires a justification, and the data is never sold or shared with third parties. The cameras will be used to solve and reduce property and violent crime and are not intended for minor traffic or parking violations.Flock Safety cameras are utilized by over 2,000 law enforcement agencies in 42 states. Law enforcement agencies have reported crime reductions of up to 70% when deploying Flock Safety in their communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Abilene Police Department installs license plate readers

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Sunday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Polaris RZR driven by Lester R. Johnson, 26, Alma, was eastbound in the 31100 Block McFarland Road one mile southwest of McFarland.

The driver failed to negotiate a left curve. The UTV entered the south ditch, over-turned and the passenger identified as Ashley M. Seidl, 23. Alma, was ejected.

&nbsp;Seidl was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the&nbsp;Shawnee County Coroner's Office.&nbsp; EMS transported Johnson to Stormont Vail. They were not wearing helmets, according to the KHP.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Sunday in Wabaunsee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Polaris RZR driven by Lester R. Johnson, 26, Alma, was eastbound in the 31100 Block McFarland Road one mile southwest of McFarland.The driver failed to negotiate a left curve. The UTV entered the south ditch, over-turned and the passenger identified as Ashley M. Seidl, 23. Alma, was ejected.&nbsp;Seidl was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the&nbsp;Shawnee County Coroner's Office.&nbsp; EMS transported Johnson to Stormont Vail. They were not wearing helmets, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after ejected in UTV accident

Junction City High School junior Ezekiel Witt travelled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals this weekend.

Witt won the 106 lbs weight class, beating Brayden Teunissen from Illinois in the finals.

by BECKY GOFF JC Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680457249366.jpeg" alt="submitted picture" />
 <figcaption>submitted picture</figcaption>
 </figure>Junction City High School junior Ezekiel Witt travelled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals this weekend.Witt won the 106 lbs weight class, beating Brayden Teunissen from Illinois in the finals.

JC's Witt wins at USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club at its annual Final Four Awards Brunch at the Ballroom at Bayou Place in Houston, Texas on Sunday (April 2).

Tang was chosen for the award over a finalist list that included Purdue’s&nbsp;Matt Painter, Houston’s&nbsp;Kelvin Sampson&nbsp;and Marquette’s&nbsp;Shaka Smart.

Tang becomes the first K-State head coach to earn the Naismith coaching honor and just the third to be selected as National Coach of the Year, joining&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter&nbsp;who was chosen for the honor by United Press International (UPI) in 1958 and&nbsp;Jack Hartman&nbsp;who was named the NABC Coach of the Year in 1980.

Overall, Tang is just the fourth head coach at a Big 12 institution to earn the Naismith coaching accolade since it was first awarded in 1987, joining a trio of Kansas head coaches in&nbsp;Larry Brown&nbsp;(1988),&nbsp;Roy Williams&nbsp;(1997) and&nbsp;Bill Self&nbsp;(2012). He is one of three current Big 12 coaches to have won the award, joining Self and TCU’s&nbsp;Jaime Dixon, who was selected for the honor while at Pittsburgh in 2009.

“I’m honored and blessed to receive the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Award,” said Tang. “There have been a lot of great coaching jobs this season and to be recognized among them is truly a humbling experience for me. I want to congratulate the other finalists – Coach (Matt) Painter, Coach (Kelvin) Sampson, Coach (Shaka) Smart for their tremendous years.

“I want to first thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings in my life. I would not be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for his faithfulness in my life and guidance.

“There are so many people to mention who have put me in this position. I want to thank our players and staff. I can’t begin to express my appreciation to them for all their hard work and sacrifice this season. We started with Markquis (Nowell) and Ish (Massoud) and it grew to 15 players who became brothers on and off the court, enabling us to go from a team picked last in the Big 12 to one who won 26 games and advanced to the Elite Eight. I will always be indebted to them.

“I have the best coaching staff in America, from associate head coach&nbsp;Ulric Maligi&nbsp;to assistant coaches&nbsp;Jareem Dowling&nbsp;and&nbsp;Rodney Perry&nbsp;to my chief of staff&nbsp;Marco Borne&nbsp;to director of operations&nbsp;Bailey Bachamp&nbsp;to director of player development&nbsp;Austin Carpenter&nbsp;to director of video operations&nbsp;Anthony Winchester, director of strategies&nbsp;Kevin Sutton, volunteer analyst&nbsp;Al Grushkin, strength coach&nbsp;Phil Baier, athletic trainer&nbsp;Luke Sauber&nbsp;to all of our graduate assistant and student managers. I’m blessed and honored that I get to live life with these incredible men and women every day.

“I also want to thank our university president&nbsp;Dr. Richard Linton, athletic director&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;and executive associate AD&nbsp;Casey Scott&nbsp;for giving me the opportunity to be at K-State. I’m fortunate every day to be at such a special place. I’m excited about the future with their support.

“I’m not here today without the love, support and sacrifice of my family. I want to thank my parents,&nbsp;Paul&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bano Tang, my brother&nbsp;Mark, sister&nbsp;Kim, my wife,&nbsp;Careylyen, our children&nbsp;Seven&nbsp;and&nbsp;Aylyn&nbsp;as well as my in-loves,&nbsp;Calvin&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carolyn Carter.

“I have been fortunate to be around quality people throughout my life.&nbsp;Dr. Jennifer Cooper&nbsp;gave me my first coaching job back at Heritage Christian Academy.&nbsp;Scott (Drew)&nbsp;gave me the opportunity to coach in college at Baylor, where I was influenced by coaches like&nbsp;Matthew Driscoll,&nbsp;Paul Mills,&nbsp;Grant McCasland,&nbsp;Alvin Brooks III,&nbsp;John Jakus&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bill Petersen&nbsp;and countless players.

“I share this tremendous honor with all these individuals. I’m truly blessed.”

Tang has been named a finalist for several National Coach of the Year honors, including the Joe B. Hall Award (top first-year Division I head coach), the Ben Jobe Award (top Division I minority coach) and the Jim Phelan Award (Division I Coach of the Year). He has also been District Coach of the Year by the NABC and USBWA.

Tang was the runner-up for The Associated Press’ National Coach of the Year, finishing with 13 votes behind Smart, who garnered 24 from a national media panel of 58 voters.

Picked 10th in the preseason Big 12 poll and armed with just two returning players, Tang guided the Wildcats to a 26-10 overall record and a spot in the Elite Eight, which was the 13th&nbsp;in school history and the first since 2017-18. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history, trailing the school-record 29 in 2009-10 and the 27 in 2012-13, and just the eighth 25-win campaign and first since 2017-18. His win total was the second-most by a first-year Division I head coach, trailing Duke’s&nbsp;Jon Scheyer&nbsp;(27-9).

Tang and Texas’&nbsp;Rodney Terry&nbsp;were the only first-year Division I head coaches to advance to his team to the Elite Eight in 2022-23. Overall, Tang is the 11th&nbsp;first-year head coach to direct his team to Elite Eight since 1996-97, while he is just the fourth first-time head coach, joining North Carolina’s&nbsp;Bill Guthridge&nbsp;in 1997-98 and&nbsp;Hubert Davis&nbsp;in 2021-22 and Kent State’s&nbsp;Stan Heath&nbsp;in 2001-02.

Tang was the consensus Big 12 Coach of the Year, earning the honor from both the league coaches and AP after helping K-State rise from being picked last in the preseason Big 12 poll to finishing in a tie for third place with an 11-7 record. He is the&nbsp;seventh head coach in school history to earn conference Coach of the Year honors, including the second (Bruce Weber&nbsp;in 2013) to win the honor in his first season.

Tang was selected as the 25th&nbsp;head men’s basketball coach at K-State on March 21, 2022, after serving as the one of the chief architects in helping build Baylor into a national powerhouse in his 19 seasons as an assistant and associate head coach from 2003 to 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679443663983.jpeg" alt="AP Photo/John Bazemore" />
 <figcaption>AP Photo/John Bazemore</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club at its annual Final Four Awards Brunch at the Ballroom at Bayou Place in Houston, Texas on Sunday (April 2).Tang was chosen for the award over a finalist list that included Purdue’s&nbsp;Matt Painter, Houston’s&nbsp;Kelvin Sampson&nbsp;and Marquette’s&nbsp;Shaka Smart.Tang becomes the first K-State head coach to earn the Naismith coaching honor and just the third to be selected as National Coach of the Year, joining&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter&nbsp;who was chosen for the honor by United Press International (UPI) in 1958 and&nbsp;Jack Hartman&nbsp;who was named the NABC Coach of the Year in 1980.Overall, Tang is just the fourth head coach at a Big 12 institution to earn the Naismith coaching accolade since it was first awarded in 1987, joining a trio of Kansas head coaches in&nbsp;Larry Brown&nbsp;(1988),&nbsp;Roy Williams&nbsp;(1997) and&nbsp;Bill Self&nbsp;(2012). He is one of three current Big 12 coaches to have won the award, joining Self and TCU’s&nbsp;Jaime Dixon, who was selected for the honor while at Pittsburgh in 2009.“I’m honored and blessed to receive the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Award,” said Tang. “There have been a lot of great coaching jobs this season and to be recognized among them is truly a humbling experience for me. I want to congratulate the other finalists – Coach (Matt) Painter, Coach (Kelvin) Sampson, Coach (Shaka) Smart for their tremendous years.“I want to first thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for all the blessings in my life. I would not be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for his faithfulness in my life and guidance.“There are so many people to mention who have put me in this position. I want to thank our players and staff. I can’t begin to express my appreciation to them for all their hard work and sacrifice this season. We started with Markquis (Nowell) and Ish (Massoud) and it grew to 15 players who became brothers on and off the court, enabling us to go from a team picked last in the Big 12 to one who won 26 games and advanced to the Elite Eight. I will always be indebted to them.“I have the best coaching staff in America, from associate head coach&nbsp;Ulric Maligi&nbsp;to assistant coaches&nbsp;Jareem Dowling&nbsp;and&nbsp;Rodney Perry&nbsp;to my chief of staff&nbsp;Marco Borne&nbsp;to director of operations&nbsp;Bailey Bachamp&nbsp;to director of player development&nbsp;Austin Carpenter&nbsp;to director of video operations&nbsp;Anthony Winchester, director of strategies&nbsp;Kevin Sutton, volunteer analyst&nbsp;Al Grushkin, strength coach&nbsp;Phil Baier, athletic trainer&nbsp;Luke Sauber&nbsp;to all of our graduate assistant and student managers. I’m blessed and honored that I get to live life with these incredible men and women every day.“I also want to thank our university president&nbsp;Dr. Richard Linton, athletic director&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;and executive associate AD&nbsp;Casey Scott&nbsp;for giving me the opportunity to be at K-State. I’m fortunate every day to be at such a special place. I’m excited about the future with their support.“I’m not here today without the love, support and sacrifice of my family. I want to thank my parents,&nbsp;Paul&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bano Tang, my brother&nbsp;Mark, sister&nbsp;Kim, my wife,&nbsp;Careylyen, our children&nbsp;Seven&nbsp;and&nbsp;Aylyn&nbsp;as well as my in-loves,&nbsp;Calvin&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carolyn Carter.“I have been fortunate to be around quality people throughout my life.&nbsp;Dr. Jennifer Cooper&nbsp;gave me my first coaching job back at Heritage Christian Academy.&nbsp;Scott (Drew)&nbsp;gave me the opportunity to coach in college at Baylor, where I was influenced by coaches like&nbsp;Matthew Driscoll,&nbsp;Paul Mills,&nbsp;Grant McCasland,&nbsp;Alvin Brooks III,&nbsp;John Jakus&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bill Petersen&nbsp;and countless players.“I share this tremendous honor with all these individuals. I’m truly blessed.”Tang has been named a finalist for several National Coach of the Year honors, including the Joe B. Hall Award (top first-year Division I head coach), the Ben Jobe Award (top Division I minority coach) and the Jim Phelan Award (Division I Coach of the Year). He has also been District Coach of the Year by the NABC and USBWA.Tang was the runner-up for The Associated Press’ National Coach of the Year, finishing with 13 votes behind Smart, who garnered 24 from a national media panel of 58 voters.Picked 10th in the preseason Big 12 poll and armed with just two returning players, Tang guided the Wildcats to a 26-10 overall record and a spot in the Elite Eight, which was the 13th&nbsp;in school history and the first since 2017-18. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history, trailing the school-record 29 in 2009-10 and the 27 in 2012-13, and just the eighth 25-win campaign and first since 2017-18. His win total was the second-most by a first-year Division I head coach, trailing Duke’s&nbsp;Jon Scheyer&nbsp;(27-9).Tang and Texas’&nbsp;Rodney Terry&nbsp;were the only first-year Division I head coaches to advance to his team to the Elite Eight in 2022-23. Overall, Tang is the 11th&nbsp;first-year head coach to direct his team to Elite Eight since 1996-97, while he is just the fourth first-time head coach, joining North Carolina’s&nbsp;Bill Guthridge&nbsp;in 1997-98 and&nbsp;Hubert Davis&nbsp;in 2021-22 and Kent State’s&nbsp;Stan Heath&nbsp;in 2001-02.Tang was the consensus Big 12 Coach of the Year, earning the honor from both the league coaches and AP after helping K-State rise from being picked last in the preseason Big 12 poll to finishing in a tie for third place with an 11-7 record. He is the&nbsp;seventh head coach in school history to earn conference Coach of the Year honors, including the second (Bruce Weber&nbsp;in 2013) to win the honor in his first season.Tang was selected as the 25th&nbsp;head men’s basketball coach at K-State on March 21, 2022, after serving as the one of the chief architects in helping build Baylor into a national powerhouse in his 19 seasons as an assistant and associate head coach from 2003 to 2022.

KSU's Tang tabbed as Naismith National Coach of the Year

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

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

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680451036644.jpeg" alt="Philip Governor Locklear, Theft &lt;$1,500 Pocket picking; arrested 4/1" />
 <figcaption>Philip Governor Locklear, Theft &lt;$1,500 Pocket picking; arrested 4/1</figcaption>
 </figure>Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos April 2

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University is recognizing 
five outstanding Kansas high school science teachers with the inaugural 
Kansas State University High School Science Teacher of the Year Awards.&nbsp; The awards highlight and reward inspirational and impactful high school science teachers throughout the state. The <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/chem/">chemistry</a>, <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/geology/">geology</a> and <a href="https://www.phys.ksu.edu/">physics</a> departments in K-State's <a href="https://artsci.k-state.edu/">College of Arts and Sciences</a> selected the five award recipients.

According to Pamela Kempton, professor and head of geology, students 
majoring in chemistry, geology or physics were asked to name the science
 teachers who inspired them to study science or made a difference in 
their growth and development. The nominees were then invited to apply, 
and a committee selected the finalists.]

The following high school teachers are recipients of the Kansas State University High School Science Teacher of the Year Awards:

• Science Teacher of the Year in chemistry: Nikki Chamberlain, gifted
 facilitator and former longtime chemistry teacher at Salina South High 
School, Salina.&nbsp; • Science Teachers of the Year in geology: Staci Cavanaugh, earth and space science teacher at Olathe North High School, Olathe, and Mariah Ramos, integrated science teacher at Spring Hill High School, Spring Hill.&nbsp; • Science Teachers of the Year in physics: Drew Smith, physics teacher at Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe, and Mitchell Spade, physics teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh.

"High school teachers scarcely get the recognition they deserve, and 
the work they do is critically important to the state and to the 
educational and scholarly mission of Kansas State University," said 
Christer Aakeröy, university distinguished professor and head of 
chemistry.

The award recipients, their nominators and a few of their current 
students are invited to a recognition luncheon March 31 on the Manhattan
 campus. Each teacher will be presented a $500 cash award, a certificate
 and an artistic piece of glassware custom-made by the university's 
scientific glassblower, Jim Hodgson. The visitors will also get a 
personalized tour of the campus, including some laboratories.

"The past few years have been particularly challenging for our high 
school educators," said Tim Bolton, William and Joan Porter professor 
and head of physics. "So, we wanted to acknowledge their hard work and 
recognize those extraordinary high school teachers who inspire students 
to go into sciences."

The <a href="https://artsci.k-state.edu/">College of Arts and Sciences</a>
 at K-State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees spanning the 
natural and quantitative sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and 
arts and humanities, along with research opportunities, hands-on 
experiences and robust advising to prepare students for successful 
careers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680104557131.jpeg" alt="Staci Cavanaugh" />
 <figcaption>Staci Cavanaugh</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State NewsMANHATTAN — Kansas State University is recognizing 
five outstanding Kansas high school science teachers with the inaugural 
Kansas State University High School Science Teacher of the Year Awards.&nbsp; The awards highlight and reward inspirational and impactful high school science teachers throughout the state. The <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/chem/">chemistry</a>, <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/geology/">geology</a> and <a href="https://www.phys.ksu.edu/">physics</a> departments in K-State's <a href="https://artsci.k-state.edu/">College of Arts and Sciences</a> selected the five award recipients.According to Pamela Kempton, professor and head of geology, students 
majoring in chemistry, geology or physics were asked to name the science
 teachers who inspired them to study science or made a difference in 
their growth and development. The nominees were then invited to apply, 
and a committee selected the finalists.]<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680104581614.jpeg" alt="Nikki Chamberlain" />
 <figcaption>Nikki Chamberlain</figcaption>
 </figure>The following high school teachers are recipients of the Kansas State University High School Science Teacher of the Year Awards:• Science Teacher of the Year in chemistry: Nikki Chamberlain, gifted
 facilitator and former longtime chemistry teacher at Salina South High 
School, Salina.&nbsp; • Science Teachers of the Year in geology: Staci Cavanaugh, earth and space science teacher at Olathe North High School, Olathe, and Mariah Ramos, integrated science teacher at Spring Hill High School, Spring Hill.&nbsp; • Science Teachers of the Year in physics: Drew Smith, physics teacher at Olathe Northwest High School, Olathe, and Mitchell Spade, physics teacher at Shawnee Heights High School, Tecumseh.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680104604615.jpeg" alt="Mariah Ramos" />
 <figcaption>Mariah Ramos</figcaption>
 </figure>"High school teachers scarcely get the recognition they deserve, and 
the work they do is critically important to the state and to the 
educational and scholarly mission of Kansas State University," said 
Christer Aakeröy, university distinguished professor and head of 
chemistry.The award recipients, their nominators and a few of their current 
students are invited to a recognition luncheon March 31 on the Manhattan
 campus. Each teacher will be presented a $500 cash award, a certificate
 and an artistic piece of glassware custom-made by the university's 
scientific glassblower, Jim Hodgson. The visitors will also get a 
personalized tour of the campus, including some laboratories.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680104626266.jpeg" alt="Drew Smith" />
 <figcaption>Drew Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>"The past few years have been particularly challenging for our high 
school educators," said Tim Bolton, William and Joan Porter professor 
and head of physics. "So, we wanted to acknowledge their hard work and 
recognize those extraordinary high school teachers who inspire students 
to go into sciences."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680104651302.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Spade" />
 <figcaption>Mitchell Spade</figcaption>
 </figure>The <a href="https://artsci.k-state.edu/">College of Arts and Sciences</a>
 at K-State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees spanning the 
natural and quantitative sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and 
arts and humanities, along with research opportunities, hands-on 
experiences and robust advising to prepare students for successful 
careers.

K-State recognizes High School Science Teachers of the Year

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in Junction City.

Unused or expired prescription medication can be dropped off at the Junction
 City Police Department, 210 E. Ninth, for safe disposal.&nbsp;

For more information on items that will be accepted, click <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2k3EwuQjhBqXD4e1jko-THP_LQ-lLUY36vPQyzt40l184mLMVnu9Rcq5E">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680102700201.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in Junction City.Unused or expired prescription medication can be dropped off at the Junction
 City Police Department, 210 E. Ninth, for safe disposal.&nbsp;For more information on items that will be accepted, click <a href="https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2k3EwuQjhBqXD4e1jko-THP_LQ-lLUY36vPQyzt40l184mLMVnu9Rcq5E">HERE</a>.

Prescription drug take back day scheduled in April

If passed into law, can Education Saving Accounts and tax credit vouchers withstand a constitutional challenge?&nbsp;&nbsp; That’s a question rolling around the state house.&nbsp;

The concern, at this point, is speculation since these two school choice bills have yet to go to Governor Kelly for her signature or veto.

The ESA bill currently creates&nbsp;a fund for families to use taxpayer dollars for private and homeschooling expenses. In its first year, the program would be available to public school students testing at the lowest grade level or receiving free or reduced-price lunch.&nbsp; Eventually families of four making $180,000 per year or more would be eligible.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The tax credit bill enlarges the current tax credit scholarship fund.&nbsp; Fully implemented, it would give about $5,000 per qualifying student per year to attend any accredited or unaccredited private school or use for other educational expenses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Donors to the scholarship fund could apply for a 70 percent tax credit.&nbsp; Currently the fund is limited to low income, low performing students but the 2023 bill would expand incrementally to include almost all student applicants regardless of parent’s income, including students who always have attended a private school or been homeschooled.&nbsp;

Currently 11 states allow various types of ESAs, and 20 states allow tax credit scholarships.&nbsp;

Do ESAs that directly fund private schools with public tax dollars and scholarships that indirectly reduce education funds through tax credits violate the Kansas Constitution?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tax Credit scholarships may more easily withstand legal challenges because they are funded by donations.&nbsp; The loss to the state comes from fewer tax dollars collected due to the refundable tax credits.&nbsp; ESAs are directly funded from tax dollars budgeted for education.&nbsp; Both bills siphon public funds from public schools.

Here are reasons for concern: &nbsp;First, the Kansas Constitution creates a single system of common schools.<a></a>

Article 6: (1) “The legislature shall provide for a state board of education which shall have general supervision of public schools, educational institutions and all the educational interests of the state.”

The proposed bills create two separate systems—one governed by the state board of education and a new system governed by the Kansas treasurer to administer the scholarships and ESAs.&nbsp;

Second, Article 6:&nbsp; 2&nbsp;(a) states, “The state board of education shall perform such other duties as may be provided by law.”

Currently there are no laws that direct the state board of education to oversee schools other than public schools.&nbsp; Moreover, proponents of the bills advocate a main value is that funds would go to schools governed by the state treasurer not the state board of education.

Third, the Kansas constitution is clear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Article 6: 6 (c) “No religious sect or sects shall control any part of the public educational funds.”

Recently the U. S. Supreme Court ruled&nbsp;in &nbsp;<a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/carson-v-makin/" target="_blank">Carson v. Makin</a>&nbsp; to require states to fund private religious schools if the states fund any other private schools.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion that the ruling does not require states to fund private schools—but once they do,&nbsp;religious schools can’t be excluded.&nbsp;

In January an Ohio lawsuit challenging the state’s voucher program moved forward to Franklin County Court.&nbsp; More than 100 school districts signed onto the lawsuit advocating a&nbsp;"secure"&nbsp;and single "system of common schools.”&nbsp;

Who among us would want another long, costly constitutional confrontation over Kansas schools?&nbsp; &nbsp;Nevertheless, this battle may be ongoing well into the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>If passed into law, can Education Saving Accounts and tax credit vouchers withstand a constitutional challenge?&nbsp;&nbsp; That’s a question rolling around the state house.&nbsp;The concern, at this point, is speculation since these two school choice bills have yet to go to Governor Kelly for her signature or veto.The ESA bill currently creates&nbsp;a fund for families to use taxpayer dollars for private and homeschooling expenses. In its first year, the program would be available to public school students testing at the lowest grade level or receiving free or reduced-price lunch.&nbsp; Eventually families of four making $180,000 per year or more would be eligible.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The tax credit bill enlarges the current tax credit scholarship fund.&nbsp; Fully implemented, it would give about $5,000 per qualifying student per year to attend any accredited or unaccredited private school or use for other educational expenses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Donors to the scholarship fund could apply for a 70 percent tax credit.&nbsp; Currently the fund is limited to low income, low performing students but the 2023 bill would expand incrementally to include almost all student applicants regardless of parent’s income, including students who always have attended a private school or been homeschooled.&nbsp;Currently 11 states allow various types of ESAs, and 20 states allow tax credit scholarships.&nbsp;Do ESAs that directly fund private schools with public tax dollars and scholarships that indirectly reduce education funds through tax credits violate the Kansas Constitution?&nbsp;&nbsp;Tax Credit scholarships may more easily withstand legal challenges because they are funded by donations.&nbsp; The loss to the state comes from fewer tax dollars collected due to the refundable tax credits.&nbsp; ESAs are directly funded from tax dollars budgeted for education.&nbsp; Both bills siphon public funds from public schools.Here are reasons for concern: &nbsp;First, the Kansas Constitution creates a single system of common schools.<a></a>Article 6: (1) “The legislature shall provide for a state board of education which shall have general supervision of public schools, educational institutions and all the educational interests of the state.”The proposed bills create two separate systems—one governed by the state board of education and a new system governed by the Kansas treasurer to administer the scholarships and ESAs.&nbsp;Second, Article 6:&nbsp; 2&nbsp;(a) states, “The state board of education shall perform such other duties as may be provided by law.”Currently there are no laws that direct the state board of education to oversee schools other than public schools.&nbsp; Moreover, proponents of the bills advocate a main value is that funds would go to schools governed by the state treasurer not the state board of education.Third, the Kansas constitution is clear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Article 6: 6 (c) “No religious sect or sects shall control any part of the public educational funds.”Recently the U. S. Supreme Court ruled&nbsp;in &nbsp;<a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/carson-v-makin/" target="_blank">Carson v. Makin</a>&nbsp; to require states to fund private religious schools if the states fund any other private schools.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his majority opinion that the ruling does not require states to fund private schools—but once they do,&nbsp;religious schools can’t be excluded.&nbsp;In January an Ohio lawsuit challenging the state’s voucher program moved forward to Franklin County Court.&nbsp; More than 100 school districts signed onto the lawsuit advocating a&nbsp;"secure"&nbsp;and single "system of common schools.”&nbsp;Who among us would want another long, costly constitutional confrontation over Kansas schools?&nbsp; &nbsp;Nevertheless, this battle may be ongoing well into the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Is another constitutional school lawsuit in the offing?

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/2023/4/1680372448226.jpeg" alt="Jose Luis Bueso-Valle, Vehicles; Operate vehicle without registration or w/expired tag; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Vehicle liability coverage required; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; arrested 4/1" />
 <figcaption>Jose Luis Bueso-Valle, Vehicles; Operate vehicle without registration or w/expired tag; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; Vehicle liability coverage required; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; arrested 4/1</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680372688679.jpeg" alt="Ameer Suliaman Gilyard, Failure to appear; Outside warrant; arrested 3/31" />
 <figcaption>Ameer Suliaman Gilyard, Failure to appear; Outside warrant; arrested 3/31</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680372753373.jpeg" alt="Jamie Lee Ray, Probation Violation; arrested 3/31" />
 <figcaption>Jamie Lee Ray, Probation Violation; arrested 3/31</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680372902371.jpeg" alt="Kevin Deshawn Seldon, Failure to appear, arrested 3/31" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Deshawn Seldon, Failure to appear, arrested 3/31</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680372949643.jpeg" alt="Yasmeen Nichele Smith, Outside warrant; arrested 4/1" />
 <figcaption>Yasmeen Nichele Smith, Outside warrant; arrested 4/1</figcaption>
 </figure>Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos April 1

By SHERIDAN WIMMER <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2023/03/23/kansas-artist-showcases-love-of-prescribed-burning-in-the-flint-hills">Kansas Living</a>

“You have arrived at your destination,” Google maps told me as I 
started up the driveway. I questioned Google, but when I saw a painting 
of a barn on the side of a shed, I knew I had indeed been led to the 
correct home north of Lawrence.

Stepping inside the home of Louis and Phyllis Copt takes you on a 
journey of photos, paintings, sculptures and even a wood-fired oven 
perfect for pizzas. There’s no lack of interest as your eyes wander 
through the home – and no shortage of laughter from the married couple 
of 52 years.

One image displayed is of the couple from their wedding day. Another 
is from their honeymoon where they hitchhiked through Europe.

“This is a bag of raisins,” Phyllis says as she points to the photo. 
“I didn’t know what a kilo was at the time, so I ordered that, and here 
we were with our two-pound bag of raisins.”

“Those raisins probably saved our lives,” Louis jokes.

Many of the paintings and sculptures throughout the house are ones Louis
 created himself. The painter has established a collection of artworks 
that showcase his love of Kansas.

Louis was born and raised in Emporia. But his time spent with his 
French-Swiss grandparents on a farm near Osage City fixed fond memories 
of milking cows and chasing chickens.

“My grandparents never had anything mechanized on their farm,” Louis 
says. “They worked everything by horse and wagon. They were strong. You 
have to be tough and smart to make a living on the land. That work ethic
 is how I think of what I do now as an artist – you have to work at it 
every day.”

Not only was his work ethic influenced by his grandparents, his love 
of Kansas and its landscape, too, was shaped by the childhood he enjoyed
 on their farm.

“Running around on the farm instilled a love for Kansas and its 
landscapes,” Louis says. “Specifically, I remember the barn being the 
nucleus of the farm. That’s where the cattle were, the horses, the hay. 
That’s where my inspiration for my barn collection comes from.”

His love of Kansas landscapes is evident in his other collection – 
ones that showcase the springtime prescribed burns on their land to 
rejuvenate growth and protect against wildfires.

Prescribed burns have been used in the Flint Hills for thousands of 
years. Native Americans used fire, which they called “the red buffalo”. 
The fires cause the grass to green up quickly which attracts the bison.

“It’s a renewal,” Louis says. “Burning is a positive thing. It is a 
practice that keeps the Flint Hills the Flint Hills. It is also an 
important stage in range management.”

Louis works directly with farmers and ranchers he’s become friends 
with over the years. The respect Louis has for farmers is evident in his
 work.

“Farmers are the salt of the Earth,” he says. “They’re stewards of 
the land and love what they do, and it’s their passion. There’s a shared
 connection between the ranchers I work with and the work I do because 
there’s a mutual respect and love for the land.”

Since prescribed burning in the Flint Hills requires specific weather
 conditions, (wind direction and speed are critical to a safe and 
successful burn) Louis and his contacts have a two-way system of getting
 in touch with each other when a controlled burn is planned.

“I’ll go out and photograph every spring to get inspiration photos of
 the controlled burns,” Louis says. “There’s a window of about one to 
two hours where the light is perfect. If it’s in the middle of the day, 
there isn’t a lot of drama. If you get the images too late, all you can 
see are the flames.”

From those photos, which Louis has collected binders through the years, Louis paints what he calls a preservation of the past.

“I see my work as preserving a bit of Kansas for future generations,”
 he says. “You look at paintings of Paris from the 1800s and it’s this 
little slice of history that’s been captured. That’s how I want my 
paintings to reflect Kansas – a look back on what Kansas looked like.”

Louis sees his journey of becoming the artist he is now as a renewal 
of its own. Early in his career, he was a journalist at the Emporia 
Gazette. When the Copts’ son, Nathan, was 2 years old, they moved to 
Germany for approximately a year.

When they came back to the United States in 1976, they settled in 
Lawrence – and after a few homes, they eventually designed and built the
 home they’re in now – complete with a studio and that impressive pizza 
oven.

Louis worked at Maupintour – a travel agency out of Lawrence – where 
he did advertising and marketing until 1984, when he decided to quit 
with support from his wife.

“Phyllis was the one who said to me, ‘If you’re going to be an 
artist, you need to do it full-time,’” Louis says. “That’s when I quit 
my corporate job and moved to New York City to attend the Art Students 
League for a summer.”

He took a risk by quitting his corporate life and hasn’t looked back.

“It’s about finding your passion,” he says. “Being an artist was really what I wanted to be and needed to be.”

The land that now has the barn painted on the side of its shed had 
once seen fire itself. Before the Copts built the house that’s now their
 home, the previous home was destroyed in a fire. From the ashes, the 
Copts built a home where fire is present, but in a way that gives back 
instead of takes through Louis’ paintings. As for the pizza oven, Louis 
likes a nice pepperoni pizza with black olives and green peppers.

Learn more about Louis Copt and his paintings at <a href="http://www.louiscopt.com" target="_blank">www.louiscopt.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680277460112.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERIDAN WIMMER <a href="https://kansaslivingmagazine.com/articles/2023/03/23/kansas-artist-showcases-love-of-prescribed-burning-in-the-flint-hills">Kansas Living</a>“You have arrived at your destination,” Google maps told me as I 
started up the driveway. I questioned Google, but when I saw a painting 
of a barn on the side of a shed, I knew I had indeed been led to the 
correct home north of Lawrence.Stepping inside the home of Louis and Phyllis Copt takes you on a 
journey of photos, paintings, sculptures and even a wood-fired oven 
perfect for pizzas. There’s no lack of interest as your eyes wander 
through the home – and no shortage of laughter from the married couple 
of 52 years.One image displayed is of the couple from their wedding day. Another 
is from their honeymoon where they hitchhiked through Europe.“This is a bag of raisins,” Phyllis says as she points to the photo. 
“I didn’t know what a kilo was at the time, so I ordered that, and here 
we were with our two-pound bag of raisins.”“Those raisins probably saved our lives,” Louis jokes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680277559204.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure>Many of the paintings and sculptures throughout the house are ones Louis
 created himself. The painter has established a collection of artworks 
that showcase his love of Kansas.<h2>Developing the Kansas work ethic</h2>Louis was born and raised in Emporia. But his time spent with his 
French-Swiss grandparents on a farm near Osage City fixed fond memories 
of milking cows and chasing chickens.“My grandparents never had anything mechanized on their farm,” Louis 
says. “They worked everything by horse and wagon. They were strong. You 
have to be tough and smart to make a living on the land. That work ethic
 is how I think of what I do now as an artist – you have to work at it 
every day.”Not only was his work ethic influenced by his grandparents, his love 
of Kansas and its landscape, too, was shaped by the childhood he enjoyed
 on their farm.“Running around on the farm instilled a love for Kansas and its 
landscapes,” Louis says. “Specifically, I remember the barn being the 
nucleus of the farm. That’s where the cattle were, the horses, the hay. 
That’s where my inspiration for my barn collection comes from.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680277592520.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Collecting pasture burns</h2>His love of Kansas landscapes is evident in his other collection – 
ones that showcase the springtime prescribed burns on their land to 
rejuvenate growth and protect against wildfires.Prescribed burns have been used in the Flint Hills for thousands of 
years. Native Americans used fire, which they called “the red buffalo”. 
The fires cause the grass to green up quickly which attracts the bison.“It’s a renewal,” Louis says. “Burning is a positive thing. It is a 
practice that keeps the Flint Hills the Flint Hills. It is also an 
important stage in range management.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680277627816.png" alt="Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas Living Magazine</figcaption>
 </figure>Louis works directly with farmers and ranchers he’s become friends 
with over the years. The respect Louis has for farmers is evident in his
 work.“Farmers are the salt of the Earth,” he says. “They’re stewards of 
the land and love what they do, and it’s their passion. There’s a shared
 connection between the ranchers I work with and the work I do because 
there’s a mutual respect and love for the land.”Since prescribed burning in the Flint Hills requires specific weather
 conditions, (wind direction and speed are critical to a safe and 
successful burn) Louis and his contacts have a two-way system of getting
 in touch with each other when a controlled burn is planned.“I’ll go out and photograph every spring to get inspiration photos of
 the controlled burns,” Louis says. “There’s a window of about one to 
two hours where the light is perfect. If it’s in the middle of the day, 
there isn’t a lot of drama. If you get the images too late, all you can 
see are the flames.”From those photos, which Louis has collected binders through the years, Louis paints what he calls a preservation of the past.“I see my work as preserving a bit of Kansas for future generations,”
 he says. “You look at paintings of Paris from the 1800s and it’s this 
little slice of history that’s been captured. That’s how I want my 
paintings to reflect Kansas – a look back on what Kansas looked like.”<h2>Giving way to renewal</h2>Louis sees his journey of becoming the artist he is now as a renewal 
of its own. Early in his career, he was a journalist at the Emporia 
Gazette. When the Copts’ son, Nathan, was 2 years old, they moved to 
Germany for approximately a year.When they came back to the United States in 1976, they settled in 
Lawrence – and after a few homes, they eventually designed and built the
 home they’re in now – complete with a studio and that impressive pizza 
oven.Louis worked at Maupintour – a travel agency out of Lawrence – where 
he did advertising and marketing until 1984, when he decided to quit 
with support from his wife.“Phyllis was the one who said to me, ‘If you’re going to be an 
artist, you need to do it full-time,’” Louis says. “That’s when I quit 
my corporate job and moved to New York City to attend the Art Students 
League for a summer.”He took a risk by quitting his corporate life and hasn’t looked back.“It’s about finding your passion,” he says. “Being an artist was really what I wanted to be and needed to be.”The land that now has the barn painted on the side of its shed had 
once seen fire itself. Before the Copts built the house that’s now their
 home, the previous home was destroyed in a fire. From the ashes, the 
Copts built a home where fire is present, but in a way that gives back 
instead of takes through Louis’ paintings. As for the pizza oven, Louis 
likes a nice pepperoni pizza with black olives and green peppers.Learn more about Louis Copt and his paintings at <a href="http://www.louiscopt.com" target="_blank">www.louiscopt.com</a>.

Kansas artist showcases love of prescribed burning in the Flint Hills

JUNCTION CITY — Linda
 Teeter, a loving wife and great-grandmother, has completed her new 
book, “The Puzzle Journey” — a captivating mystery that follows one young
 girl’s quest to discover the missing pieces that have been promised to 
provide incredible wealth to her following the passing of her 
grandmother. After growing up on a thousand-acre dairy farm 
located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, author Linda 
Teeter graduated from Brushton-Moira Central School and obtained an 
associate of arts from Jefferson Community College in Watertown, New 
York. Married to her husband, Joseph Teeter for over fifty years, the 
two of them have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Darcie, and 
three grandchildren, two of them married. Teeter has lived for over 
forty years in Kansas, and the apple of her eye is her great-grandson, 
Joe, and attends the Church of the Nazarene in Manhattan, Kansas. Teeter
 shares, “Upon the unexpected death of Hailey’s beloved grandma, the 
will sent Hailey on a journey to collect clues that would bring her 
greater wealth than what she had already received. The places sent and 
the people she met on the way filled her life with adventure and fun.” Published
 by Page Publishing, Linda Teeter’s gripping tale will lead readers on 
an unforgettable journey as Hailey discovers important life lessons from
 the unique characters that she encounters on her path to fulfill her 
grandmother’s mission left to her. Expertly paced and poignant, “The 
Puzzle Journey” is sure to capture the hearts and minds of readers and 
stay with them long after its stunning conclusion. Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can <a rel="nofollow" href="http://pagepublishing.com/books/?book=the-puzzle-journey" target="_blank">purchase</a> “The Puzzle Journey” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680272794855.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PR.comJUNCTION CITY — Linda
 Teeter, a loving wife and great-grandmother, has completed her new 
book, “The Puzzle Journey” — a captivating mystery that follows one young
 girl’s quest to discover the missing pieces that have been promised to 
provide incredible wealth to her following the passing of her 
grandmother. After growing up on a thousand-acre dairy farm 
located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, author Linda 
Teeter graduated from Brushton-Moira Central School and obtained an 
associate of arts from Jefferson Community College in Watertown, New 
York. Married to her husband, Joseph Teeter for over fifty years, the 
two of them have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Darcie, and 
three grandchildren, two of them married. Teeter has lived for over 
forty years in Kansas, and the apple of her eye is her great-grandson, 
Joe, and attends the Church of the Nazarene in Manhattan, Kansas. Teeter
 shares, “Upon the unexpected death of Hailey’s beloved grandma, the 
will sent Hailey on a journey to collect clues that would bring her 
greater wealth than what she had already received. The places sent and 
the people she met on the way filled her life with adventure and fun.” Published
 by Page Publishing, Linda Teeter’s gripping tale will lead readers on 
an unforgettable journey as Hailey discovers important life lessons from
 the unique characters that she encounters on her path to fulfill her 
grandmother’s mission left to her. Expertly paced and poignant, “The 
Puzzle Journey” is sure to capture the hearts and minds of readers and 
stay with them long after its stunning conclusion. Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can <a rel="nofollow" href="http://pagepublishing.com/books/?book=the-puzzle-journey" target="_blank">purchase</a> “The Puzzle Journey” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

Junction City resident publishes new book, 'The Puzzle Journey'

Cardboard boat races are coming to Milford Lake on June 3.

The Geary County Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau is hosting Float Your Boat, beginning at 10 a.m. at Acorns Resort, 3710 Farnum Road, Milford.

Participants will bring a cardboard and duct tape boat and attempt to navigate a mapped-out course at Lake Milford.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680098030674.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cardboard boat races are coming to Milford Lake on June 3.The Geary County Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau is hosting Float Your Boat, beginning at 10 a.m. at Acorns Resort, 3710 Farnum Road, Milford.Participants will bring a cardboard and duct tape boat and attempt to navigate a mapped-out course at Lake Milford.

Cardboard boat races scheduled at Lake Milford in June

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Director of Broadband Development Jade Piros de Carvalho wants to be sure low-income Kansans know of a way to reduce or eliminate their cost for internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

"We are embarking on a robust outreach campaign to help low-income Kansans recognize that this program exists,"&nbsp;Piros de Carvalho said. "This program can reduce the cost of your internet service by $30, or, for some providers who have offered high speed 100 megabit speeds for only $30, you can get it free. This is available to anybody who has household income that falls below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines."

The graphic below represents 100% of the guidelines, so, based on your family size, if you make less than twice these amounts annually, you would likely qualify for ACP.

For example, a family of four that makes less than $60,000 a year would likely be eligible.

"Additionally, a lot of people aren't aware of this, it also provides a $100 discount on a tablet or a computer,"&nbsp;Piros de Carvalho said. "You could also get a device with this program."

There are many programs like Lifeline, SNAP and Free and Reduced Lunch that have, in some manner, income guidelines already below the 200% of FPL level, so if you qualify for those, you qualify for this.

"If you are trying to access the internet only from your phone, you are probably not as able to apply for a job, or take advantage of telehealth with your health care provider or work remotely or further your education,"&nbsp;Piros de Carvalho said. "That device is just as important as the access."

To sign up for the ACP program, the state has a wizard at&nbsp;<a href="https://getacp.org/kansas">https://getacp.org/kansas&nbsp;</a>that will walk you through some questions to find out if you are eligible.

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Director of Broadband Development Jade Piros de Carvalho wants to be sure low-income Kansans know of a way to reduce or eliminate their cost for internet service through the Affordable Connectivity Program."We are embarking on a robust outreach campaign to help low-income Kansans recognize that this program exists,"&nbsp;Piros de Carvalho said. "This program can reduce the cost of your internet service by $30, or, for some providers who have offered high speed 100 megabit speeds for only $30, you can get it free. This is available to anybody who has household income that falls below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines."The graphic below represents 100% of the guidelines, so, based on your family size, if you make less than twice these amounts annually, you would likely qualify for ACP.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680271602617.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For example, a family of four that makes less than $60,000 a year would likely be eligible."Additionally, a lot of people aren't aware of this, it also provides a $100 discount on a tablet or a computer,"&nbsp;Piros de Carvalho said. "You could also get a device with this program."There are many programs like Lifeline, SNAP and Free and Reduced Lunch that have, in some manner, income guidelines already below the 200% of FPL level, so if you qualify for those, you qualify for this."If you are trying to access the internet only from your phone, you are probably not as able to apply for a job, or take advantage of telehealth with your health care provider or work remotely or further your education,"&nbsp;Piros de Carvalho said. "That device is just as important as the access."To sign up for the ACP program, the state has a wizard at&nbsp;<a href="https://getacp.org/kansas">https://getacp.org/kansas&nbsp;</a>that will walk you through some questions to find out if you are eligible.

Broadband director: Low-income Kansans can save on internet

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University is opening its doors to the public for the exploration of endless possibilities at the <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/openhouse/">All-University Open House</a> from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Open
 House will take place on the Manhattan campus with activities, 
learning, fun and food. This event for all ages is an opportunity to 
explore K-State while getting an insider's look at the university's 
academic programs, student organizations and campus life.

"K-State Open House is a popular tradition that showcases all K-State
 has to offer," said Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management 
at K-State. "As an educational and research leader, K-State offers great
 value to students, and this event is an opportunity for their work and 
passions to shine."

The event offers a mix of activities, projects, displays, 
demonstrations, food and entertainment. Tours of campus and on-campus 
housing are available throughout the day.

The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering invites visitors to get a 
sneak peek of this year's student-built formula car and watch several 
student competitions. Don't miss the College of Agriculture's bug 
petting zoo, and take the shuttle to the grain science department's 
north complex to enjoy a free lunch. Many additional dining and snack 
options are available across campus.

Test your balance and coordination with the College of Health and 
Human Sciences, and tour the nursing program facilities. Graduate 
students in communications sciences and disorders will provide free 
hearing screenings at 127 Campus Creek Complex.

The College of Arts and Sciences will feature many displays 
throughout campus, including interactive art projects and the English 
department's custom poetry from the Poet-in-a-Box. While visiting the 
College of Business Administration, grab a snack and take a turn at the 
bounce house obstacle course.

Test your paper airplane skills and explore a living wax museum with 
the College of Education. The College of Architecture, Planning &amp; 
Design's events include BOXhattan, which offers visitors a chance to try
 their hand at city planning.

Take a stroll to the College of Veterinary Medicine complex to see a 
variety of exhibits and activities. Children may bring their stuffed 
animals in for "treatment," and visitors of all ages can learn about pet
 first aid and how to diagnose sick patients.

Visit <a href="https://k-state.edu/openhouse">k-state.edu/openhouse</a> for the full schedule of events and to learn more.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679579249291.png" alt="Kansas State University's All-University Open House will take place on the Manhattan campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1. " />
 <figcaption>Kansas State University's All-University Open House will take place on the Manhattan campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1. </figcaption>
 </figure>K-State NewsMANHATTAN — Kansas State University is opening its doors to the public for the exploration of endless possibilities at the <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/openhouse/">All-University Open House</a> from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Open
 House will take place on the Manhattan campus with activities, 
learning, fun and food. This event for all ages is an opportunity to 
explore K-State while getting an insider's look at the university's 
academic programs, student organizations and campus life."K-State Open House is a popular tradition that showcases all K-State
 has to offer," said Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management 
at K-State. "As an educational and research leader, K-State offers great
 value to students, and this event is an opportunity for their work and 
passions to shine."The event offers a mix of activities, projects, displays, 
demonstrations, food and entertainment. Tours of campus and on-campus 
housing are available throughout the day.The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering invites visitors to get a 
sneak peek of this year's student-built formula car and watch several 
student competitions. Don't miss the College of Agriculture's bug 
petting zoo, and take the shuttle to the grain science department's 
north complex to enjoy a free lunch. Many additional dining and snack 
options are available across campus.Test your balance and coordination with the College of Health and 
Human Sciences, and tour the nursing program facilities. Graduate 
students in communications sciences and disorders will provide free 
hearing screenings at 127 Campus Creek Complex.The College of Arts and Sciences will feature many displays 
throughout campus, including interactive art projects and the English 
department's custom poetry from the Poet-in-a-Box. While visiting the 
College of Business Administration, grab a snack and take a turn at the 
bounce house obstacle course.Test your paper airplane skills and explore a living wax museum with 
the College of Education. The College of Architecture, Planning &amp; 
Design's events include BOXhattan, which offers visitors a chance to try
 their hand at city planning.Take a stroll to the College of Veterinary Medicine complex to see a 
variety of exhibits and activities. Children may bring their stuffed 
animals in for "treatment," and visitors of all ages can learn about pet
 first aid and how to diagnose sick patients.Visit <a href="https://k-state.edu/openhouse">k-state.edu/openhouse</a> for the full schedule of events and to learn more.&nbsp;

Kansas State open house scheduled for Saturday

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with USA Today Woman of the Year 2023 honoree Jade Piros de Carvalho.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p4fEi-BuxTE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with USA Today Woman of the Year 2023 honoree Jade Piros de Carvalho.

🎤 Forward Ever: USA Today Woman of the Year 2023 honoree Jade Piros de Carvalho

Shaka Smart has packed an entire career's worth of experiences into 14 years as a college head coach. He led VCU to an improbable Final Four as a 30-something wunderkind in 2011, guided mighty Texas to a Big 12 Tournament title during six otherwise tepid years in Austin, and now has turned Marquette into a Big East beast.

It's sometimes easy to forget he's still just 45 years old.

Yet his work with the Golden Eagles this season might have been his best: Picked ninth in the 11-team league by its coaches, they won the regular-season title going away, then beat Xavier to win&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-east-marquette-xavier-df67d940335f3a9d69f2f6e7b626beaf">their first Big East Tournament championship</a>.

That earned Smart the AP coach of the year award Friday. He garnered 24 of 58 votes from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-college-basketball-player-of-year-b2820fee259952b664327b49a112f193">national media panel</a>&nbsp;to edge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-sweet-16-kansas-tang-63e449c8d08c70b3726732c7246bb7a5">Kansas State's Jerome Tang</a>, who received 13 votes before guiding the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>, and Houston's Kelvin Sampson, who earned 10 before taking the Cougars to the Sweet 16.

Voting opened after the regular season and closed at the start of the NCAA Tournament, where the No. 2 seed Golden Eagles were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-michigan-state-marquette-izzo-690d24a67256a2bf187353c0bfed577a">knocked out in the second round</a>&nbsp;by Michigan State and Smart's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-east-regionalmichigan-state-marquette-shaka-smart-405b0ccc948ec1480a2749496b3c5ef8">longtime mentor, Tom Izzo</a>.

“I'm very grateful to win this award," said Smart, the second Marquette coach to take it home after Hall of Famer Al McGuire in 1971, "but obviously it always comes back to the guys you have on your team.

“Early on,” Smart said, “we had a real sense the guys had genuine care and concern for one another, and we had a very good foundation for relationships that we could continue to build on. And over the course of seasons, you go through so many different experiences as a team. And those experiences either bring you closer together or further apart. Our guys did a great job, even through adverse experiences, even through challenges, becoming closer together.”

It's hardly surprising such cohesion is what Smart would choose to remember most from a most memorable season.

The native of Madison, Wisconsin, who holds a master's degree in social science from California University of Pennsylvania, long ago earned a reputation for building close bonds with players and a tight-knit camaraderie within his teams.

No matter how high or low the Golden Eagles were this season, those traits carried them through.

“Everything that we go through, whether it be the retreat that we went on before the season, all the workouts in the summer, he’s preaching his culture,” said Tyler Kolek,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-all-america-mens-basketball-team-2ab037abcde5157ad840f7dcd22cc8a4">a third-team All-American</a>. “And he's showing his leadership every single day, and just trying to impart that on us, and kind of put it in our DNA. Because it's definitely in his DNA.”

That's reflected in the way Smart, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-basketball-wisconsin-coronavirus-pandemic-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball-972b7ad63710f78f34b9a35797ed031c">accepted the Marquette job</a>&nbsp;two years ago after an often bumpy tenure at Texas, has rebuilt the Golden Eagles program after it had begun to languish under Steve Wojciechowski.

Sure, Smart landed his share of transfers — Kolek among them — in an era in which the portal has become so prevalent. But he largely built a team that finished 29-7 this season around high school recruits, eschewing a quick fix in the hopes of long-term stability. Among those prospects were Kam Jones, their leading scorer, and do-everything forward David Joplin.

“He teaches us lots of things about the importance of each other,” Joplin said. “He lets us know, time and time again, that we can’t do anything without each other, but together we can do anything.”

That sounds like a decidedly old-school approach to building a college basketball program.

One embraced by a still-youthful head coach.

“I think being a head coach has never been more complicated, never been more nuanced, and never more all-encompassing," Smart told the AP in a wide-ranging interview last week. "Does that mean it's harder? You could say that.

“What makes your job less hard," Smart said, "is having a captive audience in your players, and guys that truly understand and own what goes into winning, and that's what we had this past year. But those things just don't happen. There are a lot of steps that have to occur on the part of a lot of people, not just the coach, to get to where you have a winning environment.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679420939010.jpeg" alt="Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang (AP Photo/John Bazemore)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang (AP Photo/John Bazemore)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA&nbsp;Shaka Smart has packed an entire career's worth of experiences into 14 years as a college head coach. He led VCU to an improbable Final Four as a 30-something wunderkind in 2011, guided mighty Texas to a Big 12 Tournament title during six otherwise tepid years in Austin, and now has turned Marquette into a Big East beast.It's sometimes easy to forget he's still just 45 years old.Yet his work with the Golden Eagles this season might have been his best: Picked ninth in the 11-team league by its coaches, they won the regular-season title going away, then beat Xavier to win&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-east-marquette-xavier-df67d940335f3a9d69f2f6e7b626beaf">their first Big East Tournament championship</a>.That earned Smart the AP coach of the year award Friday. He garnered 24 of 58 votes from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-college-basketball-player-of-year-b2820fee259952b664327b49a112f193">national media panel</a>&nbsp;to edge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-sweet-16-kansas-tang-63e449c8d08c70b3726732c7246bb7a5">Kansas State's Jerome Tang</a>, who received 13 votes before guiding the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>, and Houston's Kelvin Sampson, who earned 10 before taking the Cougars to the Sweet 16.Voting opened after the regular season and closed at the start of the NCAA Tournament, where the No. 2 seed Golden Eagles were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-michigan-state-marquette-izzo-690d24a67256a2bf187353c0bfed577a">knocked out in the second round</a>&nbsp;by Michigan State and Smart's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-east-regionalmichigan-state-marquette-shaka-smart-405b0ccc948ec1480a2749496b3c5ef8">longtime mentor, Tom Izzo</a>.“I'm very grateful to win this award," said Smart, the second Marquette coach to take it home after Hall of Famer Al McGuire in 1971, "but obviously it always comes back to the guys you have on your team.“Early on,” Smart said, “we had a real sense the guys had genuine care and concern for one another, and we had a very good foundation for relationships that we could continue to build on. And over the course of seasons, you go through so many different experiences as a team. And those experiences either bring you closer together or further apart. Our guys did a great job, even through adverse experiences, even through challenges, becoming closer together.”It's hardly surprising such cohesion is what Smart would choose to remember most from a most memorable season.The native of Madison, Wisconsin, who holds a master's degree in social science from California University of Pennsylvania, long ago earned a reputation for building close bonds with players and a tight-knit camaraderie within his teams.No matter how high or low the Golden Eagles were this season, those traits carried them through.“Everything that we go through, whether it be the retreat that we went on before the season, all the workouts in the summer, he’s preaching his culture,” said Tyler Kolek,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-all-america-mens-basketball-team-2ab037abcde5157ad840f7dcd22cc8a4">a third-team All-American</a>. “And he's showing his leadership every single day, and just trying to impart that on us, and kind of put it in our DNA. Because it's definitely in his DNA.”That's reflected in the way Smart, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-basketball-wisconsin-coronavirus-pandemic-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball-972b7ad63710f78f34b9a35797ed031c">accepted the Marquette job</a>&nbsp;two years ago after an often bumpy tenure at Texas, has rebuilt the Golden Eagles program after it had begun to languish under Steve Wojciechowski.Sure, Smart landed his share of transfers — Kolek among them — in an era in which the portal has become so prevalent. But he largely built a team that finished 29-7 this season around high school recruits, eschewing a quick fix in the hopes of long-term stability. Among those prospects were Kam Jones, their leading scorer, and do-everything forward David Joplin.“He teaches us lots of things about the importance of each other,” Joplin said. “He lets us know, time and time again, that we can’t do anything without each other, but together we can do anything.”That sounds like a decidedly old-school approach to building a college basketball program.One embraced by a still-youthful head coach.“I think being a head coach has never been more complicated, never been more nuanced, and never more all-encompassing," Smart told the AP in a wide-ranging interview last week. "Does that mean it's harder? You could say that.“What makes your job less hard," Smart said, "is having a captive audience in your players, and guys that truly understand and own what goes into winning, and that's what we had this past year. But those things just don't happen. There are a lot of steps that have to occur on the part of a lot of people, not just the coach, to get to where you have a winning environment.”

K-State's Jerome Tang edged out for AP coach of the year

A red flag warning remains in effect for the Flint Hills through 9 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in Topeka said, moving the risk of wildfires to "extreme."

Southwest winds will be sustained through the day at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph possible.

The high temperature Friday is expected to be near 70.&nbsp;

By Saturday morning the winds will calm and the mercury will drop, with a high around 60 expected. The cool spell will be short-lived, as the NWS is calling for a Sunday high in the mid- to upper-70s on a sunny Sunday.

The next chance of precipitation in the long-term forecast is a slight chance of rain after midnight Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680276483799.png" alt="Topeka NWS" />
 <figcaption>Topeka NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>A red flag warning remains in effect for the Flint Hills through 9 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in Topeka said, moving the risk of wildfires to "extreme."Southwest winds will be sustained through the day at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph possible.The high temperature Friday is expected to be near 70.&nbsp;By Saturday morning the winds will calm and the mercury will drop, with a high around 60 expected. The cool spell will be short-lived, as the NWS is calling for a Sunday high in the mid- to upper-70s on a sunny Sunday.The next chance of precipitation in the long-term forecast is a slight chance of rain after midnight Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thunderstorms are possible much of the day for portions of the area. Severe risk in northeast and east-central Kansas until 1 PM. Non-severe storms possible north later this afternoon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/397cAZ85Ys">pic.twitter.com/397cAZ85Ys</a>&mdash; NWS Topeka (@NWSTopeka) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSTopeka/status/1641812139005607942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

'Extreme' fire danger on a warm and windy Friday, NWS warns

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN - Large-scale active shooter training will be held at Kansas State University on Tuesday, April 4, through Thursday, April 6, in Edwards Hall.

Kansas State University Police Department along with Kansas Highway Patrol, Wamego Police Department, Manhattan Fire Department and Riley County EMS will participate in this multi-day training.

The training include scenarios intended to mimic potential real-life situations with sounds of gunfire and realistic looking victims and perpetrators.

On Wednesday, April 5th the Kansas Highway Patrol will conduct tactical training in Edwards Hall, including sounds of gunfire, as well as potentially alarming noises.

Beginning April 3rd the parking lot for Edwards Hall will not be available to the public and will be closed throughout the duration of the training.

Kansas State University posted an announcement of the training for public awareness, so the training scenarios are not interpreted as real events.

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - Large-scale active shooter training will be held at Kansas State University on Tuesday, April 4, through Thursday, April 6, in Edwards Hall.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680266786414.jpeg" alt="Edwards Hall on KSU campus map" />
 <figcaption>Edwards Hall on KSU campus map</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State University Police Department along with Kansas Highway Patrol, Wamego Police Department, Manhattan Fire Department and Riley County EMS will participate in this multi-day training.The training include scenarios intended to mimic potential real-life situations with sounds of gunfire and realistic looking victims and perpetrators.On Wednesday, April 5th the Kansas Highway Patrol will conduct tactical training in Edwards Hall, including sounds of gunfire, as well as potentially alarming noises.Beginning April 3rd the parking lot for Edwards Hall will not be available to the public and will be closed throughout the duration of the training.Kansas State University posted an announcement of the training for public awareness, so the training scenarios are not interpreted as real events.

Active shooter training to be held by K-State Police

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680266051914.jpeg" alt="Tiffany Heather Dodson, Failure to appear; arrested 3/30" />
 <figcaption>Tiffany Heather Dodson, Failure to appear; arrested 3/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680266102076.jpeg" alt="Miles Dain Shelton, Aggravated endangering a child; Reckless situation to child &lt;18; arrested 3/30" />
 <figcaption>Miles Dain Shelton, Aggravated endangering a child; Reckless situation to child &lt;18; arrested 3/30</figcaption>
 </figure>Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos March 31

By ALLEN DINKEL City Manager, Junction City

We have all heard that taxes in Junction City are high. In fact, if you read comments on social media, you realize there are those who believe we have the highest taxes in the area, state and the "nation."&nbsp; Sometimes I think there are those that would say we have the highest taxes in the "world" or even perhaps the "universe." Of course, &nbsp;when we talk about taxes, most look at the property taxes that are paid.&nbsp;

I recently received the 2023 Edition of the Kansas Tax Rate &amp; Fiscal Data that is published by the League of Kansas Municipalities. Call me a “Nerd” if you wish, but I wait for this publication each year to see what is happening with other local government units. This includes 625 cities, 105 counties, 286 Unified School Districts, and 19 Community Colleges. &nbsp;The publication shows the tax rates for the 2022 property taxes. Remember the 2002 property taxes fund the 2023 budgets. I will make mentions to the other units of local government, but I will mostly focus on cities. &nbsp;As City Manager I have some input for &nbsp;a City budget but not for others. Now, I know it is somewhat dangerous to compare cities for tax levies as we often don’t know the “Rest of the Story”. &nbsp;In other words, other cities did not have the debt issue this City has been moving through for the past 15 or so years, but there also may be a “Back Story” in other communities. &nbsp;Some cities have a municipal electric utility and profits supplement property taxes. &nbsp;However, it is good to know where one ranks, and we often have to defend ourselves from the believers that Junction City has the highest taxes ever levied.&nbsp;

So, to get started let me layout some ground work. &nbsp;A mill is 1/10% of each $1,000 of property taxes. &nbsp;Also, in Kansas homes are assessed at 11.5% of the property value set by the County Appraiser and business buildings are assessed at a 25% level. &nbsp;So, if your home is appraised &nbsp;at let’s say $200,000 it is assessed at $23,000. &nbsp;A business that is appraised at the same amount is assessed at the $50,000 mark. I won’t go into farmland assessments as that is a whole different ballgame. Now before you think that I am throwing the County Appraisers “Under the Bus” as they follow various rules and standards they are required to use. &nbsp;They don’t just pull numbers out of the air. Yes we can complain about our valuations, but there is nothing with your investment of property increases in value. &nbsp;

Since a mill is &nbsp;1/10% of $1,000 you can simply divide the $23,000 by 1,000 and you will see that for each mill of a mill levy you will pay $23.00. &nbsp;For ease of math, let’s say that the mill levy is 150 mills. &nbsp;Multiply 150 by 23 and the property taxes owed would be $3,340 using this scenario. &nbsp;

Your property taxes in Junction City are a total of 4 sources. &nbsp;The State of Kansas levies a total of 1.5 mills for two building funds. &nbsp;The other 3 are the City, County, and the School District. However, in other cities in Kansas there are other taxing entities. &nbsp;In the nearby City of &nbsp;Abilene tax payers have a mill levy for a Cemetery District and some cities may have a mill levy for a District owned Hospital.

Then we have the 19 Community Colleges. &nbsp;They have a mill levy that is paid by tax payers in that district. &nbsp;We all know that Cloud County Community College has a campus here in Junction City. Since their &nbsp;main campus is in Concordia, the property owners in Cloud County paid a mill levy of 29.105 mills in their 2022 taxes. &nbsp;The $200,000 home I mentioned about would pay $699.42 more in property taxes. &nbsp;However, for us in Geary County that have the campus here, there are no property taxes paid for the Community College. Then we have Washburn University in Topeka for those property owners in that City. &nbsp;This is the only 4-year institution that receives local property taxes. &nbsp;Most of the 3.451 is used for capital outlay.&nbsp;

For the 2022 taxes the mill levy in Junction City was 48.311 mills. Manhattan levied 52.154 mills. Abilene to our west levied&nbsp;50.162 mills. Newton, a city of about 4,000 less people than Junction City levies 70.383 mills.&nbsp;Liberal a city of our size in far Southwest Kansas levied 55.625 mills and the City of ElDorado about 80 miles south of here was at 58.664 mills. &nbsp;These latter 2 cities also have levies for Community Collegesas well. &nbsp;

Yes, there are cities of our size that have a lower mill levy. The lowest in our population range would be the City of Hays with 25.247 mills. &nbsp;Yes,&nbsp;there are small cities in this state with very low levies, but they don’t have a swimming pool or playgrounds or paved streets or many other things. &nbsp;I think you get it.&nbsp;

Yes, there are some cities with the city mill levy over 100 mills. Yes, you can argue that the value of their homes is less, so the total amount of taxes is different. However, that community has little chance of growth at this time.

We you can compare all we want, but it boils down to what is right for your given city. In my 34 years of City management, I have yet to figure out how to do&nbsp;more but&nbsp;do it with less dollars. I don’t think I will live long enough to ever do that.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680200267741.jpeg" alt="Allen Dinkel" />
 <figcaption>Allen Dinkel</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLEN DINKEL City Manager, Junction CityWe have all heard that taxes in Junction City are high. In fact, if you read comments on social media, you realize there are those who believe we have the highest taxes in the area, state and the "nation."&nbsp; Sometimes I think there are those that would say we have the highest taxes in the "world" or even perhaps the "universe." Of course, &nbsp;when we talk about taxes, most look at the property taxes that are paid.&nbsp;I recently received the 2023 Edition of the Kansas Tax Rate &amp; Fiscal Data that is published by the League of Kansas Municipalities. Call me a “Nerd” if you wish, but I wait for this publication each year to see what is happening with other local government units. This includes 625 cities, 105 counties, 286 Unified School Districts, and 19 Community Colleges. &nbsp;The publication shows the tax rates for the 2022 property taxes. Remember the 2002 property taxes fund the 2023 budgets. I will make mentions to the other units of local government, but I will mostly focus on cities. &nbsp;As City Manager I have some input for &nbsp;a City budget but not for others. Now, I know it is somewhat dangerous to compare cities for tax levies as we often don’t know the “Rest of the Story”. &nbsp;In other words, other cities did not have the debt issue this City has been moving through for the past 15 or so years, but there also may be a “Back Story” in other communities. &nbsp;Some cities have a municipal electric utility and profits supplement property taxes. &nbsp;However, it is good to know where one ranks, and we often have to defend ourselves from the believers that Junction City has the highest taxes ever levied.&nbsp;So, to get started let me layout some ground work. &nbsp;A mill is 1/10% of each $1,000 of property taxes. &nbsp;Also, in Kansas homes are assessed at 11.5% of the property value set by the County Appraiser and business buildings are assessed at a 25% level. &nbsp;So, if your home is appraised &nbsp;at let’s say $200,000 it is assessed at $23,000. &nbsp;A business that is appraised at the same amount is assessed at the $50,000 mark. I won’t go into farmland assessments as that is a whole different ballgame. Now before you think that I am throwing the County Appraisers “Under the Bus” as they follow various rules and standards they are required to use. &nbsp;They don’t just pull numbers out of the air. Yes we can complain about our valuations, but there is nothing with your investment of property increases in value. &nbsp;Since a mill is &nbsp;1/10% of $1,000 you can simply divide the $23,000 by 1,000 and you will see that for each mill of a mill levy you will pay $23.00. &nbsp;For ease of math, let’s say that the mill levy is 150 mills. &nbsp;Multiply 150 by 23 and the property taxes owed would be $3,340 using this scenario. &nbsp;Your property taxes in Junction City are a total of 4 sources. &nbsp;The State of Kansas levies a total of 1.5 mills for two building funds. &nbsp;The other 3 are the City, County, and the School District. However, in other cities in Kansas there are other taxing entities. &nbsp;In the nearby City of &nbsp;Abilene tax payers have a mill levy for a Cemetery District and some cities may have a mill levy for a District owned Hospital.Then we have the 19 Community Colleges. &nbsp;They have a mill levy that is paid by tax payers in that district. &nbsp;We all know that Cloud County Community College has a campus here in Junction City. Since their &nbsp;main campus is in Concordia, the property owners in Cloud County paid a mill levy of 29.105 mills in their 2022 taxes. &nbsp;The $200,000 home I mentioned about would pay $699.42 more in property taxes. &nbsp;However, for us in Geary County that have the campus here, there are no property taxes paid for the Community College. Then we have Washburn University in Topeka for those property owners in that City. &nbsp;This is the only 4-year institution that receives local property taxes. &nbsp;Most of the 3.451 is used for capital outlay.&nbsp;For the 2022 taxes the mill levy in Junction City was 48.311 mills. Manhattan levied 52.154 mills. Abilene to our west levied&nbsp;50.162 mills. Newton, a city of about 4,000 less people than Junction City levies 70.383 mills.&nbsp;Liberal a city of our size in far Southwest Kansas levied 55.625 mills and the City of ElDorado about 80 miles south of here was at 58.664 mills. &nbsp;These latter 2 cities also have levies for Community Collegesas well. &nbsp;Yes, there are cities of our size that have a lower mill levy. The lowest in our population range would be the City of Hays with 25.247 mills. &nbsp;Yes,&nbsp;there are small cities in this state with very low levies, but they don’t have a swimming pool or playgrounds or paved streets or many other things. &nbsp;I think you get it.&nbsp;Yes, there are some cities with the city mill levy over 100 mills. Yes, you can argue that the value of their homes is less, so the total amount of taxes is different. However, that community has little chance of growth at this time.We you can compare all we want, but it boils down to what is right for your given city. In my 34 years of City management, I have yet to figure out how to do&nbsp;more but&nbsp;do it with less dollars. I don’t think I will live long enough to ever do that.&nbsp;