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Year: 2019

Missouri River to remain high because of water from dams

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The amount of water flowing into the lower Missouri River will remain high throughout the summer and fall, and that water will likely continue to exacerbate flooding downstream.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it plans to keep releases from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border near current levels — which are more than double the average amount.

The high releases will likely continue worsening flooding downstream — in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas — where many levees were damaged during severe March flooding.

Officials say the releases of 70,000 cubic feet per second of water are needed because the upstream reservoirs remain quite full. The amount of water entering the dams in June was 159 percent of normal, and it has been a wet year.

Bauers, bullpen send Indians to 9-5 victory over Royals

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Jake Bauers matched a career high with four hits while driving in three runs, the Cleveland bullpen bailed Trevor Bauer out of a late jam and the Indians held on to beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Tuesday night.

Pitching a day after the death of his former teammate and friend Tyler Skaggs, Bauer (7-6) left nursing a 7-4 lead with the bases loaded and nobody out in the seventh. Oliver Perez managed an out before surrendering a sacrifice fly, and Adam Cimber used his sinker-style motion to induce the final two outs and preserve the Indians’ lead.

The Indians scored twice more before All-Star closer Brad Hand wrapped up the ninth inning.

Five others also drove in a run for the Indians, who have picked up in July right where they left off in June. They went 17-9 last month to match the Yankees for the best mark in the American League.

Most of their damage came against Jakob Junis (4-8), who matched a season high by allowing six earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA over his last six starts.

He didn’t get a whole lot of help from his defense, either.

The Royals’ circus was summed up when Carlos Santana led off the fifth with a hard-hit ball to first base. It popped out of the glove of Cheslor Cuthbert and was fielded by second baseman Nicky Lopez, who then had his throw bounce out of the glove of Junis covering first.

Kansas City also committed an error during the Indians’ five-run third inning.

It began when Tyler Naquin and Francisco Lindor led off with singles, and continued when Santana walked to extend his league-leading on-base streak to 25 games. Jason Kipnis walked in a run, Jose Ramirez plated another with a fielder’s choice grounder, and Bauers added two more runs with a double.

Roberto Perez kept the inning going when he reached on an error by third baseman Hunter Dozier.

The only bright spots for the Royals were Jorge Soler and Adalberto Mondesi. Soler’s towering solo home run in the second traveled an estimated 451 feet, while Mondesi trumpeted his return from the injured list with a two-run homer in the fifth.

Dozier tried to add an inside-the-park homer in the sixth, running through the stop sign at third when the throw from the outfield went awry. Dozier was easily thrown out at the plate.

Soler promptly followed with a single that would have scored him anyway.

“TS45”

Bauer had Skaggs’ initials and No. 45 written on his cap and also scratched “TS45” into the dirt on the back of the mound before throwing his first pitch. He and Skaggs played together in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. The 27-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher was found dead in his hotel room Monday.

ROYALS MOVES

The Royals recalled Mondesi (right groin strain) from a minor league rehab stint and RHP Jake Newberry from Triple-A Omaha. They also optioned RHP Scott Barlow and INF Humberto Arteaga to the same club. Mondesi had been sidelined since June 19.

INDIANS INJURIES

RHP Danny Salazar (right shoulder) will make another rehab start in Arizona after experiencing no problems in 1 2/3 innings Sunday. “The reason is they want to keep him as much as they can consistent,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. … RHP Bradly Zimmer (right shoulder) is throwing from 105 feet and RHP Corey Kluber (fractured right ulna) is throwing from 90 feet, Francona said.

UP NEXT

Indians RHP Mike Clevinger (1-2, 5.89 ERA) makes his second start since coming off the IL when he faces LHP Danny Duffy (3-4, 4.43) and the Royals on Wednesday night. Clevinger allowed seven runs over 1 2/3 innings against Baltimore last Friday.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Surviving together

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By GLENN BRUNKOW
Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

I am here, in the house, writing this column because we had another round of rain, and I cannot be out mowing hay. I said last summer I was not going to complain about rain, but here we are a year later, and it is hard not to. It appears the whole universe is against those of us in agriculture, and we can’t catch a break.

Between weather, trade wars and record-low farm income, it is easy to get down. We all get down at times, I know I did this winter. We had wave after wave of bad weather; it never let us catch a breath or fully recover from the havoc it wreaked on our livestock. I remember one night coming in and telling Jennifer, my wife, I could not take it anymore.

She listened to me and consoled and counseled me the best way she knew how. I was lucky, I had a support team around me who helped me with chores and things got better. That is not always the case. Every day I read stories about the mental health crisis in agriculture and the rising rates of suicide among our friends and neighbors. I understand, and I am worried.

Several times I have been asked what Kansas Farm Bureau can do about this crisis, and I must admit I don’t have any easy answers. We have talked about it. Kansas State Extension and Research has a wonderful program to connect farmers and ranchers with the help they need. Resources and mental health professionals are often just a call away. However, these resources are seldom used.

I get it — it’s tough to admit we need help. I don’t see my medical doctor as often as I should, and medical problems do not have the stigma mental health issues do. That is a downfall of our society, and one we had better get over in a hurry. We have also been raised with the idea that emotions should not be shown, things will get better, just suck it up and go on. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

I don’t know what the answer is. I know we need more resources funneled into mental health. I know it is going to be a bigger and bigger problem if this economy and weather don’t straighten out. While I may not have all the answers, I do know one thing we can all do.

Take care of each other. Watch your neighbors and friends, offer support and, most importantly, if you think someone is struggling talk about it. Let their family know, talk to them, don’t ever let anyone think they are going through this by themselves and don’t be afraid to intervene. Take the time to check on friends and neighbors you haven’t seen for a while. The best thing about farmers and ranchers is the community, and communities care for everyone. Together we will get through this.

“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

Longtime Wichita Eagle reporter takes public affairs job with KDOT

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HUTCHINSON — After a long career as a Wichita-based journalist, Tim Potter has been named a regional public affairs manager for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Potter

Potter is based in the Hutchinson office of KDOT’s District Five, which spans 18 south-central Kansas counties: Barber, Barton, Butler, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Kiowa, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Rush, Sedgwick, Stafford and Sumner.

For the past 22 years working as a staff writer for The Wichita Eagle, Potter reported on a variety of public safety issues, including traffic safety.

“It’s fitting for me to work for KDOT because safety is a huge part of its mission,” he said.

His job now entails writing about KDOT’s District Five operations and employees. He interacts with the public and KDOT’s partners. A key part of his focus is getting useful and timely information to motorists to help make their travel smooth and safe.

Potter grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Nebraska students help communities recover from flooding

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FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — University of Nebraska students are beginning to work in several communities through a summer service program that was created in the wake of this year’s devastating flooding.

The program projects are varied and include documenting flood damage to roads and bridges, and developing multilingual disaster recovery materials to help with landscape design and GPS mapping.

“Our commitment to Nebraskans from the beginning has been that the University of Nebraska will be a partner for as long as it takes for our state to rebuild,” said Chuck Hibberd, dean and director of Nebraska Extension. “Our students have a wealth of knowledge and an eagerness to serve. The flood serviceship program is a perfect opportunity for them to gain real-world experience in meeting the needs of our communities.”

The Fremont Tribune reported that 24 students representing the Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha campuses are helping 14 communities, with more students being placed as the university matches students’ skills with local needs.

Alyssa Spartz, an emergency management major at the Omaha campus, is helping organize an event celebrating volunteers who helped rebuild the Washington County Fairgrounds in Arlington. The fair is scheduled to open July 26.

“Unfortunately, individuals across the county may not realize the major impacts the flooding caused and the amount of time, resources and effort it will take to recover,” Spartz said.

The flood recovery service jobs run a maximum of 10 weeks and 40 hours per week, and are based on a student’s schedule and a community’s needs. Students are paid $12.50 an hour and may be able to earn college credit for their work.

Students engaged in the program come from several study areas, including agriculture, business administration, communications and engineering.

NW Kan. students complete degrees at Wichita State University

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WICHITA – More than 1,850 students completed degrees at Wichita State University in spring 2019.

Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.

WSU enrolls more than 15,000 students, and offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges.

The following northwest Kansas students earned degrees:

Hays
Tammy M Freeman, Master of Arts, Aging Studies
Ashlyn M Parrish, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies Communication, Magna Cum Laude

Oakley
Hayley A Ribordy, Master of Education, Sport Management
Tana R Ruder, Master of Education, Educational Leadership
Audrey N Sperber, Master of Social Work

Quinter
Kayla M Zerr, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Russell
Audra D Henne, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene, Cum Laude
Elisabeth L Miller, Bachelor of General Studies, General Studies Communication
Joseph A Oste, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Magna Cum Laude

New crop, old problems: record rain hurting Kansas’ first try at growing hemp

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P.J. Sneed checks on some of his hemp plants waiting to be planted at his farm in Plevna, Kansas. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service

By BRIAN GRIMMETT
Kansas News Service

PLEVNA, Kansas — P.J. Sneed walks through his small greenhouse in central Kansas checking on rows and rows of small hemp plants just waiting to be put into the ground.

The plants inside the greenhouse near Plevna look rather healthy. Problematically, they look better than the plants in the few acres he’s already planted just outside of the greenhouse.

“Day One, we planted an acre and a half,” he said. “Huge storm came through and it blew probably half the plants just over or out of the ground.”

But looks can be deceiving. The roots of the hemp plants sitting indoors have run out of room in the small plastic containers they sit in, the same kind of containers you’d find flowers sitting in at a nursery.

That’s because these plants should have been planted a few weeks ago. But like farmers of more traditional crops, Sneed’s been delayed by the wet weather that’s kept him from planting hemp in his fields.

People who signed up for an industrial hemp test program got licenses based on research proposals. But this year’s unusual weather could skew the results of the studies, impacting the kind of information the state has to gauge the prospect of growing hemp in Kansas.

State officials want to better understand the potential for the specialty oilseed crop, colloquially known as industrial hemp. The scientific name for the plant is cannabis sativa, and it’s the same plant that marijuana comes from.

A mandatory sign posted outside of P.J. Sneed’s farm with his license information. Credit Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service
The difference between whether or not the product of the plant is considered marijuana or industrial hemp is the amount of the psychoactive chemical THC that’s present.

Lawmakers approved the pilot program last year. Each grower licensed to participate in the program is studying some aspect of hemp cultivation.

Some are looking into how much water is needed to grow hemp, while others are investigating how industrial hemp fits into regenerative agriculture practices such as using it as a cover crop or how it impacts soil health. Growers are also providing detailed planting and harvesting information to the state.

So far this year, the state has received 392 applications and issued 248 — 192 of those approved licenses are for growers.

In total, 5,200 acres in 71 counties have been approved for growing hemp, even though it’s likely total planted acres won’t be close to that.

As of July 1, 680 acres of hemp have been planted in the state. That number is expected to grow significantly in the next few weeks as the ground across the state begins to dry out enough for planting that first planned to happen weeks earlier.

The state will issue a report at the end of the year analyzing the data gathered from all the projects. While the extraordinary weather will likely impact results, it’s too early to know how much.

“Here in Kansas … we kind of have extremes from one season to another season, and, at this point, precipitation plays a large factor,” said Braden Hoch, a hemp specialist for the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Rain has delayed planting for some farmers, but the variety of hemp, and what the grower hopes to use it for, will also play a large role in how successful this year could be.

Hemp plants are generally grown for one of three things — its seed and grain, its fiber, or its floral material.

CBD oil typically comes from the floral material. Varieties grown for their floral material typically only need a 90-day period from planting to harvest, meaning there’s still time to get those plants in the ground and still have a good chance at a successful harvest.

Hoch said the state is ultimately trying to gather data to show whether or not hemp is a viable alternative crop for Kansas farmers, and this year’s trial could help build that case.

But even with the optimism, some hemp farmers, such as Sneed, still worry plenty about how the wet weather stunted the growth of their plants.

“This year’s crop, as wet as we are, will be affected across the board,” Sneed said. “Whether it’s CBD level or fiber level.”

Brian Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett or email him at grimmett (at) kmuw (dot) org. The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.

Hoxie native, FHSU grad leads Main Street Summer Theater Festival

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By JESSICA HEFLIN
Main Street Arts Council

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council has announced the 2019 Main Street Summer Theater Festival. Area youth ages 5-18 from Northwest Kansas are rehearsing throughout June and early July as they prepare to perform shows based off musical movie classics. Shows, dates, and locations include:

July 6, 7, Goodland:
Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland JR”

July 6, 7, Quinter:
Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka KIDS”

July 12, 14, Hoxie:
DreamWorks’ “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR”

July 13, 14, Colby:
Disney’s “Cinderella KIDS”

July 20, 21, Atwood:
Disney’s “The Lion King JR”

The 2019 shows are made possible in part thanks to the generosity of Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Fund Grants received from: Sherman County Community Foundation ($4,000 for “Alice in Wonderland”); Thomas County Community Foundation ($8,862 for “Cinderella”); Gove County Community Foundation ($7,000 for “Willy Wonka”); Sheridan County Community Foundation ($4,902 for “Madagascar”); and Rawlins County Community Foundation ($12,905.20 for “The Lion King”).

Participants in “The Lion King” cast get the added bonus of working with native African artist Baba Wague Diakite and his wife and fellow artist, Ronna Neuenschwander, a Hoxie native, who together will conduct a special traditional “bogolanfini” (mudcloth) workshop where
they will experience the art, history, culture and music of the Bamana people of West Africa. Diakite and Neuenschwander will be traveling from their home in Seattle, Washington to conduct the workshop held in conjunction with the production for the second time in festival history.

Participation in the festival is free to all cast members thanks to the generosity of these grant funders, members of the MSAC and from ticket sales, which are available for purchase online at www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2019 and/or at the door of each performance.

Additional grant support from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in the amount of $8,800 will assist with staff fees for festival directors, choreographers and student director interns.

The arts council is led by Karl Pratt, executive director, and Bonnie Cameron, creative director/founder.

Pratt is a native of Hoxie who graduated from Fort Hays State University, Hays, in 2014 with a B.M. in vocal performance. He currently serves as choir director at the Colby United Methodist Church and is the board liaison to the Sheridan County Community Foundation while also maintaining a private voice and piano studio with approximately 30 students across northwest Kansas.

Cameron studied vocal performance at the University of Colorado, Boulder and finished her master’s degree at the Hanns-Eisler Conservatory in Berlin, Germany, before singing opera professionally across Europe for ten years. In 2011, Cameron and her husband, Carloff Wiltner, returned to the region to pursue her true passion for bringing culture and high-quality learning/performing opportunities to rural Kansas. She founded the arts council in 2015 but has been producing children’s theater in the area for the last eight years.

Board members of the council include Renee Spresser, president; Mackenzie Best, vice president; Ellen Weiner, secretary/treasurer; Sheyenne Dillehay; Aaron Heim; Lu Neuenschwander; and Shirley Popp.

Along with the summer theater festival, the arts council sponsors various programs for the community to participate in and learn about different aspects of culture and expressions of art and music. These include adult theater production(s), community choir, art classes, and the annual Main Street Art Walk to be held this year on Friday, Aug. 23.

All MSAC programming is made possible through the financial support of paid members, donations, and grants. To support MSAC in its endeavor to promote the arts, encourage creativity, serve the Arts community, and act as an advocate for the Arts, consider paid
membership. Varying levels are available for both individuals and businesses, each offering a multitude of benefits and advertising premiums in acknowledgment of support.

Visit www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/join-us for more information and to join today.

Royals recall Mondesi, Newberry for series vs Indians

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Royals have recalled shortstop Adalberto Mondesi from a minor league rehab stint and right-hander Jake Newberry from Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals also optioned right-hander Scott Barlow and infielder Humberto Arteaga to Omaha before their game against Cleveland on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old Mondesi has been sidelined since June 19 with a right groin strain. He was leading the majors in stolen bases with 27 and triples with eight when he went down, and two weeks later he still leads the league in both categories.

Mondesi also has six homers and 44 RBIs while hitting .269 this season.

Robert Eugene Farr Sr.

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Robert Eugene Farr Sr., age 75, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays.

He was born on September 13, 1943, in Garden City, the son of Paul Thomas and Wanetta Marie Rowton Farr. A lifetime resident of Scott City, he worked in construction and before retirement for the City of Scott City maintenance department.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Scott City. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in the Kansas National Guard.

On June 10, 2000 he married Debra May Wright in Scott City, Kansas. She survives.

Survivors include his Wife – Debra M. Farr of Scott City, Kansas, Nine Children – Russell Farr of Dighton, Kansas, Robert Farr Jr. of St. George, Utah, Michelle Ruth of Healy, Kansas, Nicol & Paul Belford of Wamego, Kansas, Ginni Rose of Leoti, Kansas, Bobby Keith Farr of Pittsburg, Kansas, Keith Wayne Farr of Scott City, Kansas, Steven R. Fulton of Garden City, Kansas, Brandy Marie Wright of Dighton, Kansas, Eight Brothers & Sisters – Loyd & Betty Farr of Nickerson, Kansas, Dale Farr of Grigston, Kansas, Edith Blume of Goodland, Kansas, CT & Denise Farr of Weskan, Kansas, Kenneth & Meredith Farr of Leoti, Kansas, Leila & Steve Walker of Bentonville, Arkansas, Thelma & Sonny Purvis of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Ruth & Wayne Von Stein of Pueblo West, Colorado, 24 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren and Numerous Nieces & Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, One Brother – Paul Farr, One Great Granddaughter and Two Nieces.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Scott City, Kansas.

Inurnment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Memorials can be given to the Robert E. Farr Sr. Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.

There will be no calling times.

Ralph Francis Kenworthy

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Ralph Francis Kenworthy, 84, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away June 30 in Newton, Kansas.

Mr. Kenworthy was born August 3rd, 1934 to Leroy and Minnie (Holder) Kenworthy in Marshall County and was a graduate of Frankfort High School in 1955.

He was the husband of Mary Lou (Warren) Kenworthy. They were united in marriage on November 24, 1955 at the First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, Kansas.

Mr. Kenworthy graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and also earned his Master’s degree at Fort Hays State College in School Administration.

Ralph was a vocational agricultural teacher at both Frankfort High School and Morland Rural High School. He later served as the principal of Ransom High School from 1966 to 1976 and also the Superintendent and Elementary Principal of Ransom School District for eighteen years.

He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Kansas.

Ralph is survived by his bride of 63 years, Mary Lou of Newton, Kansas; two sons, James (Linda) Kenworthy of Manhattan, Kansas, and Jeffry of Humble, Texas; three daughters, Joyce (Michael) Eurit of Russell, Kansas, Jo (James) Hardy of Wichita and Jean (Bart) Balthazor of Valley Center, Kansas; brother Bob Kenworthy of Frankfort, Kansas and sister Lorna Craft of Blue Rapids, Kansas; 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and four brothers.

Visitation will be held at Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan on Friday, July 5th between the hours of 9 AM and 6 PM, and also at the First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, Kansas on Saturday, July 6th at 9 AM. Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 6th at the First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, Kansas with interment to follow at the Frankfort Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.

Fourth of July holiday alters trash collection in Hays

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City of Hays

Due to the observance of Independence Day on Thursday, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows:

  • Wednesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 4, routes will be collected on Wednesday, July 3. Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed.
  • There will be no change to Monday, Tuesday or Friday’s collection schedules.

City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 628-7350.

The city reminds residents to always have refuse and recycling out by 7 a.m.

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recyclable will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your polycarts are out by 7 a.m. and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.

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