Layton Robbins has been found safe and is back home!

Authorities are looking for a missing / endangered runaway boy, Layton Robbins, 15, of Louisville, KS. He is 5'10, 180 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes, and was wearing a red hoodie, faded blue jeans, black, maroon, white and gray Nike sneakers and a black stocking cap.

Layton was last seen in the 200 block of Plum Street in Louisville about 4 p.m. last Saturday.&nbsp;If you have information call 785-556-1121, or the Riley County Police Department at 785-537-2112 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 785-296-4017.

UPDATE:Layton Robbins has been found safe and is back home!---Authorities are looking for a missing / endangered runaway boy, Layton Robbins, 15, of Louisville, KS. He is 5'10, 180 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes, and was wearing a red hoodie, faded blue jeans, black, maroon, white and gray Nike sneakers and a black stocking cap.Layton was last seen in the 200 block of Plum Street in Louisville about 4 p.m. last Saturday.&nbsp;If you have information call 785-556-1121, or the Riley County Police Department at 785-537-2112 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 785-296-4017.<figure>
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 Missing boy is located safe!

&nbsp; MANHATTAN — Cardiovascular disease&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109720377755">has long been the leading cause of death around the world</a>, but a new set of predictive scores — validated by physiologists in Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/">College of Human Health and Sciences</a>&nbsp;— will equip doctors and patients with the knowledge they need to make early interventions.

Britton Scheuermann, doctoral candidate,&nbsp;Perrysburg, Ohio, in kinesiology associate professor&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/kines/about/people/cade.html">Carl Ade</a>'s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/kines/research/clinical-integrated/">Clinical Integrated Physiology Laboratory</a>, was lead author on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2824692">a paper in JAMA Network Open</a>&nbsp;validating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.heart.org/">American Heart Association</a>'s new PREVENT equations to calculate patients' cardiovascular disease risk. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/leading-cardiologists-reveal-new-heart-disease-risk-calculator">new equations,</a>&nbsp;an update to the heart association's previous models, provide patients 30 years and older and their medical providers with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator">more precise scores</a>&nbsp;that use patient factors like age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and other metrics to calculate their 10- and 20-year risks of total cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

"Our research was to look at these equations and see if they really did accurately predict the occurrence of cardiovascular disease risk, based on actual instances in a database that we used of nearly 200 million participants," Scheuermann said. "In this case, we found these equations do a great job of identifying people at high risk versus low risk, as well as also getting roughly correct estimations of the timeline and occurrences of cardiovascular disease events in different risk categories."

According to Scheurmann, rather than a specific prediction for a specific individual, the scores provided by the PREVENT equations are more like odds of developing or experiencing cardiovascular disease. "If you have a 10% risk over the next 10 years, that means that 10 out of 100 people who have the same or similar factors as you do will experience a cardiovascular disease event like a heart attack, stroke or heart failure," Scheuermann said. The scores are further categorized as low risk, or less than 5% likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease in 10 years; borderline risk for 5-7.4%, intermediate for 7.5-19.9% and high risk for more than 20%.

Ade, corresponding author on the paper and Scheuermann's research mentor, said the study does the important work of providing secondary, independent validation of the scores, increasing medical providers' confidence in using them in their patient care as the American Heart Association more broadly rolls out the scores. "The real challenge for anyone in health care is trying to look in the crystal ball and figure out who is actually at risk for cardiovascular disease," Ade said. "Over the next year or two, with the help of our paper and maybe even others, the hope is that we can show the PREVENT scores are even better, and I think you'll see a trend of practitioners integrating that PREVENT score into electronic health records and daily practice."

Scheuerman's research was carried out in partnership with K-State's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cancer.k-state.edu/">Johnson Cancer Research Center</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stormontvail.org/">Stormont Vail Health</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kumc.edu/">University of Kansas Medical Center</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp; MANHATTAN — Cardiovascular disease&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109720377755">has long been the leading cause of death around the world</a>, but a new set of predictive scores — validated by physiologists in Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/">College of Human Health and Sciences</a>&nbsp;— will equip doctors and patients with the knowledge they need to make early interventions.Britton Scheuermann, doctoral candidate,&nbsp;Perrysburg, Ohio, in kinesiology associate professor&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/kines/about/people/cade.html">Carl Ade</a>'s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hhs.k-state.edu/kines/research/clinical-integrated/">Clinical Integrated Physiology Laboratory</a>, was lead author on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2824692">a paper in JAMA Network Open</a>&nbsp;validating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.heart.org/">American Heart Association</a>'s new PREVENT equations to calculate patients' cardiovascular disease risk. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/leading-cardiologists-reveal-new-heart-disease-risk-calculator">new equations,</a>&nbsp;an update to the heart association's previous models, provide patients 30 years and older and their medical providers with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator">more precise scores</a>&nbsp;that use patient factors like age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and other metrics to calculate their 10- and 20-year risks of total cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure."Our research was to look at these equations and see if they really did accurately predict the occurrence of cardiovascular disease risk, based on actual instances in a database that we used of nearly 200 million participants," Scheuermann said. "In this case, we found these equations do a great job of identifying people at high risk versus low risk, as well as also getting roughly correct estimations of the timeline and occurrences of cardiovascular disease events in different risk categories."According to Scheurmann, rather than a specific prediction for a specific individual, the scores provided by the PREVENT equations are more like odds of developing or experiencing cardiovascular disease. "If you have a 10% risk over the next 10 years, that means that 10 out of 100 people who have the same or similar factors as you do will experience a cardiovascular disease event like a heart attack, stroke or heart failure," Scheuermann said. The scores are further categorized as low risk, or less than 5% likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease in 10 years; borderline risk for 5-7.4%, intermediate for 7.5-19.9% and high risk for more than 20%.Ade, corresponding author on the paper and Scheuermann's research mentor, said the study does the important work of providing secondary, independent validation of the scores, increasing medical providers' confidence in using them in their patient care as the American Heart Association more broadly rolls out the scores. "The real challenge for anyone in health care is trying to look in the crystal ball and figure out who is actually at risk for cardiovascular disease," Ade said. "Over the next year or two, with the help of our paper and maybe even others, the hope is that we can show the PREVENT scores are even better, and I think you'll see a trend of practitioners integrating that PREVENT score into electronic health records and daily practice."Scheuerman's research was carried out in partnership with K-State's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cancer.k-state.edu/">Johnson Cancer Research Center</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stormontvail.org/">Stormont Vail Health</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kumc.edu/">University of Kansas Medical Center</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There's a new heart risk calculator coming, and K-State physiologists validated it

Geary County Clerk Courtney Gilbert has issued an update.

“Working together, the Treasurer and Clerks Office will be reprinting statements and mailing them to mortgage companies. If you would like to confirm with your mortgage company that they received the statement, please allow 10-14 business days for them to receive it. You may also contact the treasurer’s office at 785-238-8109 for concerns or questions. We are working to resolve this issue with the software company to avoid this occurring in the future. Thank you.”

Geary County Treasurer Sherri Childs says due to a software issue some of the 2024 Tax Statements were mailed out to the property owner instead of the mortgage company. &nbsp;Most mortgage companies know what properties are in escrow and when they need to be paid.

 If you have any concerns you can contact your mortgage company and send them the statement or you can contact the Treasurer's office and we will send a tax statement to the mortgage company. &nbsp;We would need a mailing address for&nbsp;the mortgage company and the property address. &nbsp;

You can contact the Treasurer's Office at 785-238-8109 or you can email sherri.childs@gearycounty.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;

UPDATE:Geary County Clerk Courtney Gilbert has issued an update.“Working together, the Treasurer and Clerks Office will be reprinting statements and mailing them to mortgage companies. If you would like to confirm with your mortgage company that they received the statement, please allow 10-14 business days for them to receive it. You may also contact the treasurer’s office at 785-238-8109 for concerns or questions. We are working to resolve this issue with the software company to avoid this occurring in the future. Thank you.”----Geary County Treasurer Sherri Childs says due to a software issue some of the 2024 Tax Statements were mailed out to the property owner instead of the mortgage company. &nbsp;Most mortgage companies know what properties are in escrow and when they need to be paid. If you have any concerns you can contact your mortgage company and send them the statement or you can contact the Treasurer's office and we will send a tax statement to the mortgage company. &nbsp;We would need a mailing address for&nbsp;the mortgage company and the property address. &nbsp;You can contact the Treasurer's Office at 785-238-8109 or you can email sherri.childs@gearycounty.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Software malfunction occurs with tax statements

There is an opening for a Farmer's Market Manager in Junction City.

According to Main Street Director Jordan McCann they are looking for a passionate and motivated individual to join our team as Market Manager! This position covers both markets in Geary County at Junction City Main Street and Live Well Geary County.&nbsp;

They will offer a friendly, community, focused environment and flexible hours- Work outside Send your resume to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:livewellgearycounty@gmail.com">livewellgearycounty@gmail.com</a>!

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThere is an opening for a Farmer's Market Manager in Junction City.According to Main Street Director Jordan McCann they are looking for a passionate and motivated individual to join our team as Market Manager! This position covers both markets in Geary County at Junction City Main Street and Live Well Geary County.&nbsp;They will offer a friendly, community, focused environment and flexible hours- Work outside Send your resume to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:livewellgearycounty@gmail.com">livewellgearycounty@gmail.com</a>!

Market Manager is needed for the Farmer's Markets

&nbsp; Four students at JCHS served and interacted with older adult seniors at the annual 4H Senior Center Thanksgiving Lunch. 

It was coordinated by the Senior Center, Resia Muto, JCHS, and I.C.A.R.E.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732728668016.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; Four students at JCHS served and interacted with older adult seniors at the annual 4H Senior Center Thanksgiving Lunch. It was coordinated by the Senior Center, Resia Muto, JCHS, and I.C.A.R.E.<figure>
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JCHS serves Thanksgiving cheer at the 4H Senior Center

GEARY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Kia Optima driven by Joseph Anthony&nbsp;Salas, 24, Junction City, rear-ended a 2020 Kia Forte driven by Lizmarie&nbsp;Delgado Torres, 27, Junction City, on the&nbsp;on-ramp to Interstate 70 westbound from Kansas 18. 

Delgado Torres was slowing down waiting to merge onto Interstate 70 Westbound due to the traffic. 

EMS transported&nbsp;Delgado Torres Irwin Army Community Hospital. Salas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

GEARY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Kia Optima driven by Joseph Anthony&nbsp;Salas, 24, Junction City, rear-ended a 2020 Kia Forte driven by Lizmarie&nbsp;Delgado Torres, 27, Junction City, on the&nbsp;on-ramp to Interstate 70 westbound from Kansas 18. Delgado Torres was slowing down waiting to merge onto Interstate 70 Westbound due to the traffic. EMS transported&nbsp;Delgado Torres Irwin Army Community Hospital. Salas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Junction City woman injured after rear-end crash

GEARY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Tuesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven by Ada Irene&nbsp; Mobly, 86, Junction City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of J Hill Road.&nbsp;&nbsp;Traffic was slowing down for an emergency vehicle on the right shoulder.&nbsp; The Jeep was not able to stop in time and rear-ended a 2015 Chevy Traverse driven by Katrina Marie  Schmahl, 46, Junction City.

EMS transported Schmahl Irwin Army Community Hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mobly was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

GEARY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Tuesday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven by Ada Irene&nbsp; Mobly, 86, Junction City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of J Hill Road.&nbsp;&nbsp;Traffic was slowing down for an emergency vehicle on the right shoulder.&nbsp; The Jeep was not able to stop in time and rear-ended a 2015 Chevy Traverse driven by Katrina Marie Schmahl, 46, Junction City.EMS transported Schmahl Irwin Army Community Hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mobly was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman from Junction City hospitalized after rear-end crash

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that you can donate to the Food and Clothing Drive in support of the Konza Closet &amp; Food Pantry at the Konza Prairie Community Health Center.

You can leave items at the Chamber of Commerce at 222 West 6th Street before Dec. 5 or bring them to the Jingle Mingle at the C.L. Hoover Opera House on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

The Chamber office will be closed on Thursday and Friday of this week in observance of Thanksgiving.

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that you can donate to the Food and Clothing Drive in support of the Konza Closet &amp; Food Pantry at the Konza Prairie Community Health Center.You can leave items at the Chamber of Commerce at 222 West 6th Street before Dec. 5 or bring them to the Jingle Mingle at the C.L. Hoover Opera House on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732669143588.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Chamber office will be closed on Thursday and Friday of this week in observance of Thanksgiving.

Help is sought for a Food and Clothing Drive

Throughout 2024 parts of Kansas have been in abnormally dry or drought conditions. Some places, like those that use Cheney Reservoir west of Wichita as a water source, have even had water conservation restrictions in place for several months.

Changes in rainfall have been commonplace for the past few years. This rainfall is distributed unevenly across the state. Some places are going from very dry to getting the expected monthly rain total in a single day. These changes don’t necessarily show up in long-term averages but have a significant effect on agricultural production and infrastructure-disruptive flooding.

The historic trend of widespread droughts can also lead to increased food prices and according to research from Harvard University, such droughts are likely to continue into the future.

These trends prompted the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University to add water conservation questions to their annual Kansas Speaks public opinion survey this year.

The survey asked respondents whether local and state governments across the state were addressing water conservation efforts satisfactorily.

33.4% of respondents felt that their local government was not doing enough for water conservation in their part of Kansas. Nearly 40% felt it was doing the right amount, and only 2.4% felt it was doing too much.

Nearly 37% of respondents felt the state government was not doing enough, nearly 34% felt it was doing the right amount, and only 3.2% said it was doing too much.

Respondents were nearly evenly split on whether or not voluntary action by individuals and businesses (33.6%) is sufficient for improving water conservation efforts across the state or whether local governments should pass new laws (35.7%). Similar results appeared for voluntary action by individuals and businesses (33.5%) versus new laws from the state government (34.1%).

About 30% of respondents had no opinion for both questions.

Nearly a majority (49.6%) of Kansans report being very or moderately concerned that the state might be running out of water. An additional 27.7% report being slightly concerned.

Kansas lawmakers face a pivotal choice about the future of water conservation in the state.

The data from the Kansas Speaks survey reflects a growing public awareness of the challenges posed by shifting rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and unequal water availability. With nearly half of Kansans expressing significant concern about the state’s water resources, it’s clear that inaction is not an option.

The question now is whether state and local leaders will take proactive steps to address these concerns through targeted policies and investments or leave the responsibility to voluntary efforts by individuals and businesses.

As extreme weather events and historic drought trends continue to strain Kansas's water systems, the decisions made today will determine whether the state can secure its water future and support its agricultural backbone for generations to come.

By Alexandra Middlewood26 November 2024Throughout 2024 parts of Kansas have been in abnormally dry or drought conditions. Some places, like those that use Cheney Reservoir west of Wichita as a water source, have even had water conservation restrictions in place for several months.Changes in rainfall have been commonplace for the past few years. This rainfall is distributed unevenly across the state. Some places are going from very dry to getting the expected monthly rain total in a single day. These changes don’t necessarily show up in long-term averages but have a significant effect on agricultural production and infrastructure-disruptive flooding.The historic trend of widespread droughts can also lead to increased food prices and according to research from Harvard University, such droughts are likely to continue into the future.These trends prompted the Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University to add water conservation questions to their annual Kansas Speaks public opinion survey this year.The survey asked respondents whether local and state governments across the state were addressing water conservation efforts satisfactorily.33.4% of respondents felt that their local government was not doing enough for water conservation in their part of Kansas. Nearly 40% felt it was doing the right amount, and only 2.4% felt it was doing too much.Nearly 37% of respondents felt the state government was not doing enough, nearly 34% felt it was doing the right amount, and only 3.2% said it was doing too much.Respondents were nearly evenly split on whether or not voluntary action by individuals and businesses (33.6%) is sufficient for improving water conservation efforts across the state or whether local governments should pass new laws (35.7%). Similar results appeared for voluntary action by individuals and businesses (33.5%) versus new laws from the state government (34.1%).About 30% of respondents had no opinion for both questions.Nearly a majority (49.6%) of Kansans report being very or moderately concerned that the state might be running out of water. An additional 27.7% report being slightly concerned.Kansas lawmakers face a pivotal choice about the future of water conservation in the state.The data from the Kansas Speaks survey reflects a growing public awareness of the challenges posed by shifting rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and unequal water availability. With nearly half of Kansans expressing significant concern about the state’s water resources, it’s clear that inaction is not an option.The question now is whether state and local leaders will take proactive steps to address these concerns through targeted policies and investments or leave the responsibility to voluntary efforts by individuals and businesses.As extreme weather events and historic drought trends continue to strain Kansas's water systems, the decisions made today will determine whether the state can secure its water future and support its agricultural backbone for generations to come.

Public Opinion Signals Urgency for Kansas Water Conservation

To best serve the interests of commercial and/or business haulers, a yearly contract option for unlimited usage at the Geary County Landfill is set to take effect January 1, 2025, and shall continue until December 31, 2025. A set lump sum amount will be due to the County either annually or in twelve (12) monthly payments, and the contractor decides between these two payment options. This contract then eliminates the extra steps of weighing each load at the Transfer Station before dumping is permitted.

As a reminder, the Geary County Landfill is only for disposal of tree / brush debris. All commercial and/or businesses must pay a fee for this service. However, the Geary County Landfill remains open free of charge to Geary County residents and people owning property in Geary County.

All commercial and/or businesses interested in learning more about this contract, please contact the Public Works office

To best serve the interests of commercial and/or business haulers, a yearly contract option for unlimited usage at the Geary County Landfill is set to take effect January 1, 2025, and shall continue until December 31, 2025. A set lump sum amount will be due to the County either annually or in twelve (12) monthly payments, and the contractor decides between these two payment options. This contract then eliminates the extra steps of weighing each load at the Transfer Station before dumping is permitted.As a reminder, the Geary County Landfill is only for disposal of tree / brush debris. All commercial and/or businesses must pay a fee for this service. However, the Geary County Landfill remains open free of charge to Geary County residents and people owning property in Geary County.All commercial and/or businesses interested in learning more about this contract, please contact the Public Works office

Geary County is now accepting Tree Debris Contracts for 2025

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

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Lataija Scott, Arrest by LEO, Warrant arrest, arrested 11/22

Zackery Harper, Outside warrant, arrested 11/22

Robert Payne, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22

Mark St. Pierre, Outside warrant (Three counts), arrested 11/22

Robert Nobles, Violation of a protection order, arrested 11/22

Patricia Purcell, Failure to appear, Forgery, Making or altering a written instrument, arrested 11/22

Ryan Wilhelm, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22

Piere-Line Jourdine, Outside warrant (Two counts), arrested 11/22

Agustin Barcenas Hernandez, Interference with Law Enforcement, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 11/23

Christopher Olmstead, DUI-Liquor or drugs, Transporting of alcoholic beverage, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Driving while license cancelled, suspended, or revoked, arrested 11/23

Samuel White, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 11/24

Jayda Glass Wright, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 11/24

Darrien Odell, Possession of marijuana, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 11/24

Gabriel Sage, Failure to appear, arrested 11/24

Shelby Keogh, Criminal damage to property, arrested 11/24

Jeffrey Grinnage, Criminal threat, arrested 11/25

Luis Monroy, Failure to appear, arrested 11/25

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642326253.jpeg" alt="Talon Waehner, Theft by deception (Value $1,500 to $25,000), Forgery, Making or altering a written instrument, arrested 11/22" />
 <figcaption>Talon Waehner, Theft by deception (Value $1,500 to $25,000), Forgery, Making or altering a written instrument, arrested 11/22</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642414593.jpeg" alt="Maciek Maker, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22" />
 <figcaption>Maciek Maker, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642448282.jpeg" alt="Tre Smith, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - Pocket picking, Forgery, Distributing or issuing written instrument, arrested 11/22" />
 <figcaption>Tre Smith, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - Pocket picking, Forgery, Distributing or issuing written instrument, arrested 11/22</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642516605.jpeg" alt="Amanda Defulvio,&nbsp;Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - Pocket picking, Forgery, Distributing or issuing written instrument, arrested 11/22" />
 <figcaption>Amanda Defulvio,&nbsp;Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 - Pocket picking, Forgery, Distributing or issuing written instrument, arrested 11/22</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642545520.jpeg" alt="Kirby Jahnke, Outside warrant (Two counts), Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 11/22" />
 <figcaption>Kirby Jahnke, Outside warrant (Two counts), Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, arrested 11/22</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642608467.jpeg" alt="Joel Jordan, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22" />
 <figcaption>Joel Jordan, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642637133.jpeg" alt="Albert Dunham, Failure to appear, arrested 11/23" />
 <figcaption>Albert Dunham, Failure to appear, arrested 11/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642670622.jpeg" alt="Johnny Cole Jr., Probation violation, arrested 11/23" />
 <figcaption>Johnny Cole Jr., Probation violation, arrested 11/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642702505.jpeg" alt="Riley Ellis, Domestic battery, Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, Aggravated assault, Use of a deadly weapon, arrested 11/23" />
 <figcaption>Riley Ellis, Domestic battery, Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, Aggravated assault, Use of a deadly weapon, arrested 11/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642777020.jpeg" alt="Allyssa Bailey, Probation violation, arrested 11/23" />
 <figcaption>Allyssa Bailey, Probation violation, arrested 11/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642816535.jpeg" alt="Lawrence Bonhomme, Aggravated escape from custody while being held for a felony, arrested 11/25" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence Bonhomme, Aggravated escape from custody while being held for a felony, arrested 11/25</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732642862195.jpeg" alt="Carol Miller, Failure to appear, arrested 11/26" />
 <figcaption>Carol Miller, Failure to appear, arrested 11/26</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Lataija Scott, Arrest by LEO, Warrant arrest, arrested 11/22Zackery Harper, Outside warrant, arrested 11/22Robert Payne, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22Mark St. Pierre, Outside warrant (Three counts), arrested 11/22Robert Nobles, Violation of a protection order, arrested 11/22Patricia Purcell, Failure to appear, Forgery, Making or altering a written instrument, arrested 11/22Ryan Wilhelm, Failure to appear, arrested 11/22Piere-Line Jourdine, Outside warrant (Two counts), arrested 11/22Agustin Barcenas Hernandez, Interference with Law Enforcement, DUI-Liquor or drugs, arrested 11/23Christopher Olmstead, DUI-Liquor or drugs, Transporting of alcoholic beverage, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, Driving while license cancelled, suspended, or revoked, arrested 11/23Samuel White, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 11/24Jayda Glass Wright, Prohibiting drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana, arrested 11/24Darrien Odell, Possession of marijuana, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 11/24Gabriel Sage, Failure to appear, arrested 11/24Shelby Keogh, Criminal damage to property, arrested 11/24Jeffrey Grinnage, Criminal threat, arrested 11/25Luis Monroy, Failure to appear, arrested 11/25Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Geary County Booking Photos Nov. 23-26

The Junction City Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

There is a new route this year. The staging area will be in the Konza Prairie Community Health Center parking lot on Grant Avenue.

The parade will proceed up Grant Avenue to Washington Street and then travel downtown to Heritage Park where Santa Claus will arrive and turn on the holiday lights in the park. He will then greet children at his Santa House in the park.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/unitedwayjunctioncitygearyco?fref=mentions&amp;ref=embed_page" target="_blank">United Way of Junction City - Geary County</a>&nbsp;will be serving hot cocoa in Heritage Park just before the parade kicks off. They’ll be there until 7 PM or until the cocoa runs out—whichever comes first.

The parade can be viewed on the 107.9 FM 1420 KJCK Facebook page.

The Junction City Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday.There is a new route this year. The staging area will be in the Konza Prairie Community Health Center parking lot on Grant Avenue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732639616404.jpeg" alt="Staging area on Grant Avenue ( Photo - Chamber of Commerce )" />
 <figcaption>Staging area on Grant Avenue ( Photo - Chamber of Commerce )</figcaption>
 </figure>The parade will proceed up Grant Avenue to Washington Street and then travel downtown to Heritage Park where Santa Claus will arrive and turn on the holiday lights in the park. He will then greet children at his Santa House in the park.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/unitedwayjunctioncitygearyco?fref=mentions&amp;ref=embed_page" target="_blank">United Way of Junction City - Geary County</a>&nbsp;will be serving hot cocoa in Heritage Park just before the parade kicks off. They’ll be there until 7 PM or until the cocoa runs out—whichever comes first.The parade can be viewed on the 107.9 FM 1420 KJCK Facebook page.

Christmas Parade plans are outlined

Multiple topics were touched on at the weekly Geary County Commission meeting.

--Geary County CVB Marketing Specialist Rick Dykstra reported that state officials have indicated that the county is not too far away to get some business when the World Cup soccer comes to Kansas City in June and July of 2026. Visitors could stay in Junction City. Old West attractions will be sought.

--Dykstra also noted that the Outdoor Communicators of Kansas are having a conference in Geary County. Thirty-two ( media ) communicators were participating.

--Commission Chair Trish Giordano praised the new shelter that was just recently built in the Fifth Street Park and&nbsp; the volunteers who&nbsp; helped on the project.

--Jody Johnson of Dwight was recently presented the 2024 Geary County Extension Appreciation Award.

Multiple topics were touched on at the weekly Geary County Commission meeting.--Geary County CVB Marketing Specialist Rick Dykstra reported that state officials have indicated that the county is not too far away to get some business when the World Cup soccer comes to Kansas City in June and July of 2026. Visitors could stay in Junction City. Old West attractions will be sought.--Dykstra also noted that the Outdoor Communicators of Kansas are having a conference in Geary County. Thirty-two ( media ) communicators were participating.--Commission Chair Trish Giordano praised the new shelter that was just recently built in the Fifth Street Park and&nbsp; the volunteers who&nbsp; helped on the project.--Jody Johnson of Dwight was recently presented the 2024 Geary County Extension Appreciation Award.

Geary County Commission news notes

Geary County CVB Marketing Specialist Rick Dykstra informed Geary County Commissioners Monday that the annual Run for the Wall will be May 18, 2025 in Junction City. 

This event involves cross county motorcycle riders traveling from California to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. For many years they have made Junction City one of the overnight stops on the trip.

At Dykstra's request the commission approved the expenditure of $2,000 to support the event and another $100 to purchase a gift and a plaque for Dave Eckel, thanking him for his 15 years of service helping coordinate Run for the Wall. The 2025 event will be his last in that role.&nbsp;

By Dewey TerrillJC PostGeary County CVB Marketing Specialist Rick Dykstra informed Geary County Commissioners Monday that the annual Run for the Wall will be May 18, 2025 in Junction City. This event involves cross county motorcycle riders traveling from California to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. For many years they have made Junction City one of the overnight stops on the trip.At Dykstra's request the commission approved the expenditure of $2,000 to support the event and another $100 to purchase a gift and a plaque for Dave Eckel, thanking him for his 15 years of service helping coordinate Run for the Wall. The 2025 event will be his last in that role.&nbsp;

Run for the Wall will return to Junction City in 2025

Colder temperatures are forecast for this Thanksgiving week. Geary County Emergency Management said that there is a chance for rain and or snow on Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day. The forecast is likely to change depending on the track of the storm system. Keep an eye on the forecast for later changes and any travel impacts.

Colder temperatures are forecast for this Thanksgiving week. Geary County Emergency Management said that there is a chance for rain and or snow on Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day. The forecast is likely to change depending on the track of the storm system. Keep an eye on the forecast for later changes and any travel impacts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732549819829.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

Cold weather ahead

&nbsp;The school district reminds the public that all <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZW7duOgVe6bLUgbi5snoCW3CEjalAx3UWSgsiHpOleoQeG_vDeq8ZCmM6aOS8pcpnM82kNt4jE_V2a6rPabwhBvUFKXrA9K5UeXIYwwxEb2qmThYGZ3jfpCKEZmJd4BeXB1_uSFT4uMhye-c088Jfi6-mQc77j6z1-9VrAr2TTULBabCoyFt5ESVLE_ETGxgdw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County USD 475</a> schools will be closed Nov. 25-29 for Thanksgiving break. The district office will be closed, beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Students and staff return Monday, Dec. 2&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;The school district reminds the public that all <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZW7duOgVe6bLUgbi5snoCW3CEjalAx3UWSgsiHpOleoQeG_vDeq8ZCmM6aOS8pcpnM82kNt4jE_V2a6rPabwhBvUFKXrA9K5UeXIYwwxEb2qmThYGZ3jfpCKEZmJd4BeXB1_uSFT4uMhye-c088Jfi6-mQc77j6z1-9VrAr2TTULBabCoyFt5ESVLE_ETGxgdw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County USD 475</a> schools will be closed Nov. 25-29 for Thanksgiving break. The district office will be closed, beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Students and staff return Monday, Dec. 2&nbsp;&nbsp;

USD 475 schools are closed this week

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Thursday, November 28th due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Public Works Director Ray Ibarra said however, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next workday as follows:

Thursday’s pickup day will be Friday, November 29th

Friday’s pickup day will be Saturday, November 30th

To ensure pick-up, your trash should be set out by 6 AM, Friday morning.

Carts should be removed from the curb-alley by the following day of their scheduled pick up. Example: Thursday’s pickup will need to be set out by 6 AM Friday morning and removed by 6 AM Saturday morning.

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Thursday, November 28th due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.Public Works Director Ray Ibarra said however, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next workday as follows:Thursday’s pickup day will be Friday, November 29thFriday’s pickup day will be Saturday, November 30thTo ensure pick-up, your trash should be set out by 6 AM, Friday morning.Carts should be removed from the curb-alley by the following day of their scheduled pick up. Example: Thursday’s pickup will need to be set out by 6 AM Friday morning and removed by 6 AM Saturday morning.

Thanksgiving holiday / sanitation pick-up schedule

RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Saturday in Riley County.

James Dolan, 46, Manhattan, was crossing the street at the corner of Kimball Avenue and College Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 2019 Mercedes driven by Brian Anderson, 55, Manhattan, turned right on the green light and did not see Dolan. The vehicle struck him.&nbsp; EMS transported Dolan to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

RILEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Saturday in Riley County.James Dolan, 46, Manhattan, was crossing the street at the corner of Kimball Avenue and College Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 2019 Mercedes driven by Brian Anderson, 55, Manhattan, turned right on the green light and did not see Dolan. The vehicle struck him.&nbsp; EMS transported Dolan to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Manhattan man hospitalized after struck by vehicle

Geary County has been awarded a bridge construction project for replacing the existing bridge on Old Milford Road, approximately 0.8 miles west of the US-77 / Old Milford Road intersection. It is just east of Rolling Meadows Golf Course. The contractor will be Bayer Construction Co. Inc. from Manhattan, Kansas. The contract amount of $698,499.00 of Federal Funds have been allocated to pay for this construction. 

Old Milford Road will be closed to thru traffic beginning December 2, 2024 and is proposed not to reopen to unrestricted traffic flow until early April 2025. 

The official detour will route north bound Old Milford Road traffic north on US-77 to K-57, then west on K-57 to Old Milford Road. Old Milford Road South Bound traffic will follow this detour in reverse.

Detour traffic signs will be installed before construction begins

Geary County has been awarded a bridge construction project for replacing the existing bridge on Old Milford Road, approximately 0.8 miles west of the US-77 / Old Milford Road intersection. It is just east of Rolling Meadows Golf Course. The contractor will be Bayer Construction Co. Inc. from Manhattan, Kansas. The contract amount of $698,499.00 of Federal Funds have been allocated to pay for this construction. Old Milford Road will be closed to thru traffic beginning December 2, 2024 and is proposed not to reopen to unrestricted traffic flow until early April 2025. The official detour will route north bound Old Milford Road traffic north on US-77 to K-57, then west on K-57 to Old Milford Road. Old Milford Road South Bound traffic will follow this detour in reverse.Detour traffic signs will be installed before construction begins

Bridge Replacement on Old Milford Road to begin in December

TOPEKA — Emergency loans are available to help Kansans who had losses from storms last spring.

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 13 counties as natural disaster areas due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding on May 19.

The counties are Barton, Ellsworth, Harvey, Hodgeman, Lincoln, Morris, Ottawa, Pawnee, Reno, Russell, Stafford, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte.

In additionn, neighboring counties Butler, Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Geary, Johnson, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Mitchell, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, and Shawnee.

Contiguous counties of Platte, Clay and Jackson in Missouri are also eligible.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The loans can be used to meet various recovery needs, like replacing essential items, including equipment or livestock, reorganizing a farming operation, or refinancing certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index">emergency loans</a>. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.&nbsp;

On farmers.gov, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/node/28989">Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/fsa-disasterassistance-at-a-glance-sept.-2021.pdf">Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lat.fpac.usda.gov/">Loan Assistance Tool</a>&nbsp;can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator">&nbsp;USDA Service Center</a>.FEMA offers different assistance programs for individual citizens, public groups including government agencies and private nonprofit organizations.&nbsp; To find the FEMA help you need following a disaster event, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/assistance">fema.gov/assistance</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732376315753.png" alt="Photo National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Emergency loans are available to help Kansans who had losses from storms last spring.Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated 13 counties as natural disaster areas due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding on May 19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732376290270.png" alt="Photo city of Russell" />
 <figcaption>Photo city of Russell</figcaption>
 </figure>The counties are Barton, Ellsworth, Harvey, Hodgeman, Lincoln, Morris, Ottawa, Pawnee, Reno, Russell, Stafford, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte.In additionn, neighboring counties Butler, Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Geary, Johnson, Kingman, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Marion, Mitchell, Ness, Osage, Osborne, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, and Shawnee.Contiguous counties of Platte, Clay and Jackson in Missouri are also eligible.&nbsp; &nbsp;The loans can be used to meet various recovery needs, like replacing essential items, including equipment or livestock, reorganizing a farming operation, or refinancing certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index">emergency loans</a>. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.&nbsp;The deadline to apply is April 21, 2025.On farmers.gov, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/node/28989">Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/fsa-disasterassistance-at-a-glance-sept.-2021.pdf">Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lat.fpac.usda.gov/">Loan Assistance Tool</a>&nbsp;can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator">&nbsp;USDA Service Center</a>.FEMA offers different assistance programs for individual citizens, public groups including government agencies and private nonprofit organizations.&nbsp; To find the FEMA help you need following a disaster event, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/assistance">fema.gov/assistance</a>.

FEMA designates 13 counties in Kansas as disaster areas

Skeptics more keen to improve Tier 3 benefits available to newer public employees

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Republican Sen. Michael Fagg wants to persuade the 2025 Kansas Legislature to allocate $1 billion of the state’s revenue surplus to shrinking the $9.7 billion long-term unfunded liability in the state’s pension system.

The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, which serves more than 300,000 Kansans and possesses $27 billion in assets, years ago received legislative authorization to issue bonds so proceeds could be invested in the market to bolster the system’s bottom line.

KPERS made use of $500 million bond issues in 2004 and 2021, and a $1 billion offering in 2015.

On Wednesday, Fagg couldn’t convince the Legislature’s joint committee on pensions to get behind his idea of dedicating another $1 billion to address the system’s 30-year liability. Losses in 2022 — the return on investment was a negative 9.7% compared to a positive 15.7% in 2021 — deepened the challenge at KPERS in terms of meeting obligations on the pension-benefit horizon.

“I’m really focused on unfunded liabilities,” Fagg said. “Folks, very seldom have we had this kind of money sitting around. I’m letting you know I know the spot it ought to go.”

Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said she was more interested in making use of available state revenue to enhance benefits under the modest KPERS 3 retirement plan offered to public employees since 2015.

“I cannot support this recommendation because I think we have to look at the whole picture,” she said. “We can’t underestimate the senior tsunami that is facing us.”

House and Senate members on the joint pension committee voted to encourage the 2025 Legislature to study the potential of a fourth infusion of cash to lower the unfunded liability. They decided to ask the Legislature to give thought to altering KPERS 3.

The committee agreed to recommend the Legislature once again think about giving KPERS’ retirees a cost-of-living adjustment. The panel said the Legislature ought to research expansion to other KPERS members the deferred retirement program incentivizing fire and law enforcement personnel to stay on the job rather than retire. It might be helpful, for example, in diverting the wave of teacher retirements in Kansas.

“I strongly encourage you to keep in mind … any increase in benefits that is not paid for upfront hurts the fund,” said Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican who didn’t seek reelection in 2024.

There is growing concern among public employees and legislators about the KPERS 3 retirement plan signed into law by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback nearly a decade ago. In an attempt to lower the burden on Kansas taxpayers, the Brownback administration settled on KPERS 3 to substantially lower financial benefits compared to KPERS 1 and KPERS 2.

A report produced this year by the Legislature’s auditing unit said KPERS 3 had higher worker contribution requirements, a longer vesting period and lower financial rewards than public retirement plans offered in comparable states. Auditors said a survey of current and former Kansas public employees showed people in KPERS 3 were more likely to leave their job than participants in KPERS 1 or KPERS 2.

In 2023, Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell, put it this way: “I don’t think you need to do an audit to find out Tier 3 sucks.”

Public employees in KPERS 3 were guaranteed 4% annual earnings on their personal account balances, but additional benefits to these city, county or state employees was dependent on performance of the pension system’s investment portfolio. Neither KPERS 1 nor KPERS 2 deposited the investment-return risk directly on the back of public employees in Kansas.

Dissatisfaction has prompted proposals to move all KPERS 3 members to KPERS 2, which would transfer financial risk of retirement investments to the state.

Meanwhile, the executive director of KPERS said the pension system was undergoing a five-year transition to a new information technology system estimated to cost $75 million.

“It’s a massive undertaking,” said Alan Conroy, executive director at KPERS. “We’ve tried to do the prep work — cleaning data, backfilling staff — so we aren’t having staff trying to work full time on the project and doing their full-time, day-to-day jobs.”

Rep. Cindy Neighbor, a Shawnee Democrat on the joint committee, said she hoped KPERS secures a modern IT platform without the spider web of problems encountered by the Kansas Department of Labor while reforming the state’s unemployment insurance system.

“So far, I think we’ve done the right steps mechanically to have a successful project,” Conroy said. “The ultimate goal, as I tell the staff, is to keep us out of the ditch. We would not want 116,000 retired KPERS members marching on the statehouse because they didn’t get a retirement benefit check because of a failure in the IT system.”

Bruce Fink, chief investment officer at KPERS, said the retirement system was in compliance with a new state law mandating divestiture from countries that posed unusual investment risks. The countries targeted by the Legislature were Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela and China, including Hong Kong. The law compelled state agencies to complete divestiture transactions by Jan. 1, 2026.

“We’ve not identified any trade violations since the act became effective,” Fink said. “We’ve augmented our due-diligence process for new and future investments to confirm that the countries in which potential future managers may invest in will not … be organized in countries of concern.”

In response to enactment of the law on July 1, he said KPERS terminated investments in China and Hong Kong. That involved divesting 12 securities in 10 companies valued at $294 million, he said.

Fink said KPERS retained 300,000 shares of Norilsk Nickel, Russia’s leading metals mining company. He said trading of the stock was halted in conjunction with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“There were sanctions put in place,” he told legislators. “We continue to hold those shares in our accounts, but they are currently valued at zero market value.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732289150085.jpeg" alt="Kansas Sen. Michale Fagg, R-El Dorado, urged peers on the joint House and Senate pensions committee to endorse a proposal to invest $1 billion in surplus state revenue in lowering the $9.7 billion unfunded liability of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The committee agreed to ask the 2025 Legislature to consider the concept, but didn't back his call for a $1 billion investment. Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Sen. Michale Fagg, R-El Dorado, urged peers on the joint House and Senate pensions committee to endorse a proposal to invest $1 billion in surplus state revenue in lowering the $9.7 billion unfunded liability of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The committee agreed to ask the 2025 Legislature to consider the concept, but didn't back his call for a $1 billion investment. Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Skeptics more keen to improve Tier 3 benefits available to newer public employees</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> Kansas ReflectorTOPEKA — Republican Sen. Michael Fagg wants to persuade the 2025 Kansas Legislature to allocate $1 billion of the state’s revenue surplus to shrinking the $9.7 billion long-term unfunded liability in the state’s pension system.The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, which serves more than 300,000 Kansans and possesses $27 billion in assets, years ago received legislative authorization to issue bonds so proceeds could be invested in the market to bolster the system’s bottom line.KPERS made use of $500 million bond issues in 2004 and 2021, and a $1 billion offering in 2015.On Wednesday, Fagg couldn’t convince the Legislature’s joint committee on pensions to get behind his idea of dedicating another $1 billion to address the system’s 30-year liability. Losses in 2022 — the return on investment was a negative 9.7% compared to a positive 15.7% in 2021 — deepened the challenge at KPERS in terms of meeting obligations on the pension-benefit horizon.“I’m really focused on unfunded liabilities,” Fagg said. “Folks, very seldom have we had this kind of money sitting around. I’m letting you know I know the spot it ought to go.”Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said she was more interested in making use of available state revenue to enhance benefits under the modest KPERS 3 retirement plan offered to public employees since 2015.“I cannot support this recommendation because I think we have to look at the whole picture,” she said. “We can’t underestimate the senior tsunami that is facing us.”House and Senate members on the joint pension committee voted to encourage the 2025 Legislature to study the potential of a fourth infusion of cash to lower the unfunded liability. They decided to ask the Legislature to give thought to altering KPERS 3.The committee agreed to recommend the Legislature once again think about giving KPERS’ retirees a cost-of-living adjustment. The panel said the Legislature ought to research expansion to other KPERS members the deferred retirement program incentivizing fire and law enforcement personnel to stay on the job rather than retire. It might be helpful, for example, in diverting the wave of teacher retirements in Kansas.“I strongly encourage you to keep in mind … any increase in benefits that is not paid for upfront hurts the fund,” said Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican who didn’t seek reelection in 2024.<h2>Tier 3, well, ‘sucks’</h2>There is growing concern among public employees and legislators about the KPERS 3 retirement plan signed into law by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback nearly a decade ago. In an attempt to lower the burden on Kansas taxpayers, the Brownback administration settled on KPERS 3 to substantially lower financial benefits compared to KPERS 1 and KPERS 2.A report produced this year by the Legislature’s auditing unit said KPERS 3 had higher worker contribution requirements, a longer vesting period and lower financial rewards than public retirement plans offered in comparable states. Auditors said a survey of current and former Kansas public employees showed people in KPERS 3 were more likely to leave their job than participants in KPERS 1 or KPERS 2.In 2023, Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell, put it this way: “I don’t think you need to do an audit to find out Tier 3 sucks.”Public employees in KPERS 3 were guaranteed 4% annual earnings on their personal account balances, but additional benefits to these city, county or state employees was dependent on performance of the pension system’s investment portfolio. Neither KPERS 1 nor KPERS 2 deposited the investment-return risk directly on the back of public employees in Kansas.Dissatisfaction has prompted proposals to move all KPERS 3 members to KPERS 2, which would transfer financial risk of retirement investments to the state.<h2>$75 million IT overhaul</h2>Meanwhile, the executive director of KPERS said the pension system was undergoing a five-year transition to a new information technology system estimated to cost $75 million.“It’s a massive undertaking,” said Alan Conroy, executive director at KPERS. “We’ve tried to do the prep work — cleaning data, backfilling staff — so we aren’t having staff trying to work full time on the project and doing their full-time, day-to-day jobs.”Rep. Cindy Neighbor, a Shawnee Democrat on the joint committee, said she hoped KPERS secures a modern IT platform without the spider web of problems encountered by the Kansas Department of Labor while reforming the state’s unemployment insurance system.“So far, I think we’ve done the right steps mechanically to have a successful project,” Conroy said. “The ultimate goal, as I tell the staff, is to keep us out of the ditch. We would not want 116,000 retired KPERS members marching on the statehouse because they didn’t get a retirement benefit check because of a failure in the IT system.”<h2>Divestment mandate</h2>Bruce Fink, chief investment officer at KPERS, said the retirement system was in compliance with a new state law mandating divestiture from countries that posed unusual investment risks. The countries targeted by the Legislature were Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela and China, including Hong Kong. The law compelled state agencies to complete divestiture transactions by Jan. 1, 2026.“We’ve not identified any trade violations since the act became effective,” Fink said. “We’ve augmented our due-diligence process for new and future investments to confirm that the countries in which potential future managers may invest in will not … be organized in countries of concern.”In response to enactment of the law on July 1, he said KPERS terminated investments in China and Hong Kong. That involved divesting 12 securities in 10 companies valued at $294 million, he said.Fink said KPERS retained 300,000 shares of Norilsk Nickel, Russia’s leading metals mining company. He said trading of the stock was halted in conjunction with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“There were sanctions put in place,” he told legislators. “We continue to hold those shares in our accounts, but they are currently valued at zero market value.”

Kansas GOP senator wants state to invest $1 billion to boost pension system’s bottom line

The Junction City Christmas Parade is Friday. The theme this year is Wild West Christmas.

The parade starts at 5:30p.m. and takes a new route this year. It will travel down North Washington to 6th Street. The lighting ceremony will be immediately after the parade in Heritage Park

The Junction City Christmas Parade is Friday. The theme this year is Wild West Christmas.The parade starts at 5:30p.m. and takes a new route this year. It will travel down North Washington to 6th Street. The lighting ceremony will be immediately after the parade in Heritage Park

The annual Christmas Parade is scheduled Friday

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/elizabeth-rembert">ELIZABETH REMBERT </a>Harvest Public Media&nbsp;

Drought has scorched much of the Midwest and Great Plains for the last four years. It has destroyed crops and sparked wildfires. Wildlife is also reckoning with the dry conditions – which can change animal behavior and even push species out of some regions.

A small pond sits near the end of County Road F in western Nebraska, shaded by cottonwood trees that rustle in the gentle wind.

At first, it looks like a typical pond off a quiet, dead-end gravel road. But after nearly twenty years of visiting this pond, Larkin Powell is pretty good at spotting its residents.

“Look at all the heads, the little bumps sticking up in the water?” the University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor of biology and ecology points out. “Those are the turtles.”

Each summer, Powell rounds up students and arms them with thick gloves, calipers and scales to catch and measure the painted turtles that call this pond home.

A handful of turtles were naive enough to mistake the floating traps as perches for sunbathing, and now they’re scratching around in buckets, waiting their turn to be measured by the crew of students.

Powell and his students analyzed 11 years of data to study how drought conditions impacted the turtles. They found that&nbsp;<a href="https://news.unl.edu/article/undergrad-driven-project-reveals-drought-s-effects-on-painted-turtles" target="_blank">during dry years,</a>&nbsp;the turtles grew more slowly. The conditions also seemed to lower survival and throw off the female to male ratio.

The papers have been Powell’s most-requested research studies in the last few years. While painted turtles are a stable population that aren’t existentially threatened by drought, Powell said the findings could be applied to other endangered species that might need help as they reckon with climate change’s extreme conditions.

“Now that droughts are becoming more frequent and more intense, there’s going to be some changes,” he said. “We have to account for that as we think about the future for species of conservation concern.”

The last few years of drought have been especially severe. In early November, more than 79% of the country’s population was living with abnormal dryness and drought,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/us-drought-weekly-report-november-5-2024" target="_blank">a record</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. Drought Monitor’s 25-year history.

Much of the Midwest and Great Plains have been dealing with extremely dry conditions for the past four years. It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-05-13/drought-midwest-great-plains" target="_blank">killed crops,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-09-20/mississippi-river-low-levels-barge-traffic" target="_blank">lowered river levels</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-05-22/a-big-start-to-wildfire-season-could-mean-another-smoky-summer-in-the-midwest-and-great-plains" target="_blank">fueled wildfires.</a>

States like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/10/02/record-dry-september-conditions-not-expected-to-change-for-awhile/" target="_blank">Iowa,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nsco.unl.edu/articles/climate-summaries/driest-september-record" target="_blank">Nebraska</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-on-track-to-have-the-driest-september-on-record/" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;experienced their driest September on record this year. The conditions follow a reprieve from drought earlier this summer, according to Molly Woloszyn with the National Integrated Drought Information System.

“Conditions were still OK, until we hit the fall where precipitation has turned off for many, many locations,” Woloszyn said. “We had a feeling that if the rain stopped, things were going to get dry pretty quickly, and that's pretty much what we have seen.”

Persistently high temperatures and low precipitation has also transformed creeks and ponds into puddles&nbsp;<a href="https://flatlandkc.org/news-issues/drought-sapping-fisheries-and-marshes-in-missouri-and-kansas/" target="_blank">in Kansas and Missouri.</a>&nbsp;It’s killed off fish and ruined habitats for migrating birds.

In Indiana, the extreme heat and dryness of the 2012 drought&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-09/recovering-karner-blue-butterfly#:~:text=Today%20the%20Karner%20blue%20is,blue%20butterflies%20vanishing%20from%20Indiana." target="_blank">wiped out the Karner butterfly.&nbsp;</a>The small, powder blue butterfly hasn’t been seen there since 2014.

Other animals are showing up where they shouldn’t be. Like in St. Louis, which saw a handful of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/life/animals/missorui-black-bear-sightings-to-rise-mdc-says/63-07d07db6-57a6-4bea-98c9-f8ccf2f7fb27" target="_blank">wild black bears venture</a>&nbsp;into suburban neighborhoods at different points this summer.

Black bears usually prefer to stay away from people, but Missouri Department of Conservation biologist Nate Bowersock said they’re more willing to risk human contact when dry conditions kill the acorns and berries they rely on. That may mean they wander into the suburbs or onto farms.

“They might start trying to flip over a chicken coop to get at the chickens or just decimate a beehive if it’s not properly secured,” Bowersock said. “Bird feeders, too. They love to go after people’s bird feeders.”

Missouri’s rich forests, long growing season and abundance of native fruits and nuts give bears an advantage when it comes to surviving dry periods, according to Bowersock. But he said the department is still thinking of drought’s impacts.

“With climate change, conditions are happening a lot quicker than some animals can handle,” he said. “It just makes it vital for us to stay on top of how droughts affect the plants that bears rely on, so that our management decisions are really what’s best for the bears.”

While droughts are a part of the natural weather cycle, scientists have found that human-caused climate change is making them more frequent and more intense. The extreme conditions are putting wildlife’s coping mechanisms to the test.

But that’s only half the story, according to Wynne Moss,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/wynne-moss" target="_blank">a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey</a>.

“The other half is that the ecosystem's ability to withstand water shortages is also changing,” she said. “So even the same degree of drought might now have bigger impacts.”

Moss said wildlife is also fighting off new levels of disease, invasive species and habitat loss.

“Drought adds another threat to that list,” she said. “And it can be the death blow for some of these species.”

The threat is becoming more persistent. Even when drought conditions ease, Moss said the effects can stick around.

“Ecosystems recover very slowly. It can take years, and in some cases you might have no recovery at all,” she said. “But the droughts are happening so fast that ecosystems are finding it challenging to fully recover before the next drought happens.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732290413879.png" alt="A student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds a painted turtle from a pond in western Nebraska. Data from this turtle population showed how drought conditions may impact painted turtles, such as slowing growth and lowering survival. Photo by Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>A student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds a painted turtle from a pond in western Nebraska. Data from this turtle population showed how drought conditions may impact painted turtles, such as slowing growth and lowering survival. Photo by Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/elizabeth-rembert">ELIZABETH REMBERT </a>Harvest Public Media&nbsp;<h2>Drought has scorched much of the Midwest and Great Plains for the last four years. It has destroyed crops and sparked wildfires. Wildlife is also reckoning with the dry conditions – which can change animal behavior and even push species out of some regions.</h2>A small pond sits near the end of County Road F in western Nebraska, shaded by cottonwood trees that rustle in the gentle wind.At first, it looks like a typical pond off a quiet, dead-end gravel road. But after nearly twenty years of visiting this pond, Larkin Powell is pretty good at spotting its residents.“Look at all the heads, the little bumps sticking up in the water?” the University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor of biology and ecology points out. “Those are the turtles.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732290534640.png" alt="Larkin Powell teaches conservation biology and animal ecology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also leads the School of Natural Resources. He’s been visiting the painted turtle pond for nearly 20 years to teach students how to capture and measure wild animals. Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>Larkin Powell teaches conservation biology and animal ecology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also leads the School of Natural Resources. He’s been visiting the painted turtle pond for nearly 20 years to teach students how to capture and measure wild animals. Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>Each summer, Powell rounds up students and arms them with thick gloves, calipers and scales to catch and measure the painted turtles that call this pond home.A handful of turtles were naive enough to mistake the floating traps as perches for sunbathing, and now they’re scratching around in buckets, waiting their turn to be measured by the crew of students.Powell and his students analyzed 11 years of data to study how drought conditions impacted the turtles. They found that&nbsp;<a href="https://news.unl.edu/article/undergrad-driven-project-reveals-drought-s-effects-on-painted-turtles" target="_blank">during dry years,</a>&nbsp;the turtles grew more slowly. The conditions also seemed to lower survival and throw off the female to male ratio.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732290675313.png" alt="A student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds a painted turtle from a pond in western Nebraska. Data from this turtle population showed how drought conditions may impact painted turtles, such as slowing growth and lowering survival.&nbsp;Photo by Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>A student from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds a painted turtle from a pond in western Nebraska. Data from this turtle population showed how drought conditions may impact painted turtles, such as slowing growth and lowering survival.&nbsp;Photo by Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>The papers have been Powell’s most-requested research studies in the last few years. While painted turtles are a stable population that aren’t existentially threatened by drought, Powell said the findings could be applied to other endangered species that might need help as they reckon with climate change’s extreme conditions.“Now that droughts are becoming more frequent and more intense, there’s going to be some changes,” he said. “We have to account for that as we think about the future for species of conservation concern.”<h2>Drought conditions</h2>The last few years of drought have been especially severe. In early November, more than 79% of the country’s population was living with abnormal dryness and drought,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/us-drought-weekly-report-november-5-2024" target="_blank">a record</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. Drought Monitor’s 25-year history.Much of the Midwest and Great Plains have been dealing with extremely dry conditions for the past four years. It’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-05-13/drought-midwest-great-plains" target="_blank">killed crops,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-09-20/mississippi-river-low-levels-barge-traffic" target="_blank">lowered river levels</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2024-05-22/a-big-start-to-wildfire-season-could-mean-another-smoky-summer-in-the-midwest-and-great-plains" target="_blank">fueled wildfires.</a>States like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.radioiowa.com/2024/10/02/record-dry-september-conditions-not-expected-to-change-for-awhile/" target="_blank">Iowa,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nsco.unl.edu/articles/climate-summaries/driest-september-record" target="_blank">Nebraska</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-on-track-to-have-the-driest-september-on-record/" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>&nbsp;experienced their driest September on record this year. The conditions follow a reprieve from drought earlier this summer, according to Molly Woloszyn with the National Integrated Drought Information System.“Conditions were still OK, until we hit the fall where precipitation has turned off for many, many locations,” Woloszyn said. “We had a feeling that if the rain stopped, things were going to get dry pretty quickly, and that's pretty much what we have seen.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732291438348.png" alt="High Plains drought map on Nov. 19, 2024. Image by U.S. Drought Monitor" />
 <figcaption>High Plains drought map on Nov. 19, 2024. Image by U.S. Drought Monitor</figcaption>
 </figure>Persistently high temperatures and low precipitation has also transformed creeks and ponds into puddles&nbsp;<a href="https://flatlandkc.org/news-issues/drought-sapping-fisheries-and-marshes-in-missouri-and-kansas/" target="_blank">in Kansas and Missouri.</a>&nbsp;It’s killed off fish and ruined habitats for migrating birds.In Indiana, the extreme heat and dryness of the 2012 drought&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-09/recovering-karner-blue-butterfly#:~:text=Today%20the%20Karner%20blue%20is,blue%20butterflies%20vanishing%20from%20Indiana." target="_blank">wiped out the Karner butterfly.&nbsp;</a>The small, powder blue butterfly hasn’t been seen there since 2014.Other animals are showing up where they shouldn’t be. Like in St. Louis, which saw a handful of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/life/animals/missorui-black-bear-sightings-to-rise-mdc-says/63-07d07db6-57a6-4bea-98c9-f8ccf2f7fb27" target="_blank">wild black bears venture</a>&nbsp;into suburban neighborhoods at different points this summer.Black bears usually prefer to stay away from people, but Missouri Department of Conservation biologist Nate Bowersock said they’re more willing to risk human contact when dry conditions kill the acorns and berries they rely on. That may mean they wander into the suburbs or onto farms.“They might start trying to flip over a chicken coop to get at the chickens or just decimate a beehive if it’s not properly secured,” Bowersock said. “Bird feeders, too. They love to go after people’s bird feeders.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732290814075.png" alt="The wild black bears that roam into developed areas are often young bears trying to find food in a new territory, according to biologist Nate Bowersock. Drought conditions that make native fruits and acorns scarce can force bears into closer contact with humans. Photo by Noppadol Paothong/&nbsp;Missouri Department of Conservation" />
 <figcaption>The wild black bears that roam into developed areas are often young bears trying to find food in a new territory, according to biologist Nate Bowersock. Drought conditions that make native fruits and acorns scarce can force bears into closer contact with humans. Photo by Noppadol Paothong/&nbsp;Missouri Department of Conservation</figcaption>
 </figure>Missouri’s rich forests, long growing season and abundance of native fruits and nuts give bears an advantage when it comes to surviving dry periods, according to Bowersock. But he said the department is still thinking of drought’s impacts.“With climate change, conditions are happening a lot quicker than some animals can handle,” he said. “It just makes it vital for us to stay on top of how droughts affect the plants that bears rely on, so that our management decisions are really what’s best for the bears.”<h2>Droughts getting worse</h2>While droughts are a part of the natural weather cycle, scientists have found that human-caused climate change is making them more frequent and more intense. The extreme conditions are putting wildlife’s coping mechanisms to the test.But that’s only half the story, according to Wynne Moss,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/wynne-moss" target="_blank">a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey</a>.“The other half is that the ecosystem's ability to withstand water shortages is also changing,” she said. “So even the same degree of drought might now have bigger impacts.”Moss said wildlife is also fighting off new levels of disease, invasive species and habitat loss.“Drought adds another threat to that list,” she said. “And it can be the death blow for some of these species.”The threat is becoming more persistent. Even when drought conditions ease, Moss said the effects can stick around.“Ecosystems recover very slowly. It can take years, and in some cases you might have no recovery at all,” she said. “But the droughts are happening so fast that ecosystems are finding it challenging to fully recover before the next drought happens.”Scott White, manager of the Klamath Drainage District in southern Oregon, knows that phenomenon well. Over the past 15 years, his area has received 10 drought declarations from the governor.“Dealing with drought and climate change is a new way of life for us,” he said.The conditions dried up water sources in a nearby National Wildlife Refuge, which has served as a prime resting spot for waterfowl migrating south. When the waterways dried up, the birds stopped coming.It shut down the hunting season and killed a major economic engine for the region. Before the drought, White said bird-cleaning stands lined the roads during hunting season.“It was like lemonade stands,” he said. “You could go out hunting in the morning, stop at a stand and have somebody clean your birds for you, and you’re on your way home.”But that stopped when the refuges dried up.“It’s been a long, long time since that type of economy existed here,” he said. “It was an eye-opener for the entire community. Waterfowl hunting was a huge, huge part of our identity and our economy.”White and others are now working&nbsp;<a href="https://klamathdrainagedistrict.org/replumbing-the-klamath/" target="_blank">on a project to rework the district’s canals</a>&nbsp;to reconnect waterways in the region, feeding the refuge’s pools to allow fish to access the wetlands and provide protections for animals and landowners.“We just know that keeping the refuges dry is not a solution,” he said. “So we’re looking at these other alternatives to try and find a way to secure our future and bring back waterfowl, recover fisheries and not impact our neighbors in a negative way.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732290947149.png" alt="A pair of turtles return to the pond after being measured and weighed. The data and analysis could help other endangered species that might need assistance surviving drought, especially as climate change makes dry spells more frequent and intense.&nbsp;Photo by Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>A pair of turtles return to the pond after being measured and weighed. The data and analysis could help other endangered species that might need assistance surviving drought, especially as climate change makes dry spells more frequent and intense.&nbsp;Photo by Elizabeth Rembert/Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>Back at the pond in western Nebraska, the turtles have done their scientific duty. It’s time for them to go back home.The students walk down to the pond, set the buckets on their sides and watch as the turtles slowly make their way to the water. They float on the surface before swimming out, only their little heads visible above the water.Powell said studying drought’s impacts on parts of wildlife can shed light on how extreme conditions may play out on a greater scale.“Pollinators and insects support our entire ecosystem. And if they’re impacted, other things in the system are going to be impacted, too,” he said. “Even if you don’t really care about turtles, this may be a lesson that if these dynamics out on the landscape can affect turtles, they can affect you, too.”This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media,</a>&nbsp;a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.

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