Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Youth Suicide Prevention

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State Agencies Join Together to Create Youth Suicide Prevention Resource

 

TOPEKA – In support of September as Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide Prevention Week September 8-14, state agencies, along with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, are releasing a unified resource that outlines actions that all Kansans can take to protect and empower youth.

 

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans age 15 to 24 and it is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 5 to 14 – this is unacceptable,” said Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). “Every one of us has a role to play, whether you’re a friend, parent, community member or school employee. We need to come together to help our youth.”

The resources, which can be found online, identify actions that everyone can take. The agencies involved in its creation include: KDHE, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

“As we mark National Suicide Prevention Week, I want to commend the work of all the agencies involved in creating the tip sheets as resources for Kansans and look forward to working closely together as we lead a collaborative effort to strengthen the overall Kansas response to youth suicide,” said Gina Meier-Hummel, Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Resource Link: http://kdheks.gov/media/download/Suicide_Prevention_Tip_Sheet_2.0.pdf

 

Elections, Government, Kansas

Mann Runs For Congress

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Former Lt. Governor Tracey Mann Announces Candidacy for Congress
Mann announces his campaign to bring conservative values
and a voice for Kansas agriculture to Washington 

(SALINA, KS) – Former Lt. Governor and fifth generation Kansan, Tracey Mann, today announced his candidacy for Kansas’ First Congressional District.

“America faces urgent threats to our freedom. While President Trump is doing his best to right the ship, too many Washington politicians want to redefine our founding values and ideals. Socialism is on the rise. Efforts to impose government-run health care, increase taxes, restrict religious freedom and erode the Second Amendment are part of the same agenda. America needs leaders who will stand up to meet this challenge and fight to protect our founding beliefs,” Mann said.

“I was raised by wonderful parents on our family farm where I learned the values of hard work, perseverance and service. I recognize that to whom much is given much is required. When I served as Jerry Moran’s first intern I never imagined I would be the 50th Lt. Governor of Kansas. I believe that every generation of Americans has a responsibility to leave our country better off and stronger than how we found it. This is our moment to step up and serve,” Mann said.

Tracey Mann plans to run on a platform of bringing Kansas values and a voice for Kansas agriculture to Washington. The father of four beautiful children, Tracey is strongly pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. Raised on a family farm in Quinter, Kansas, Tracey learned first-hand the value of hard work and how important it is that Washington stays out of the way of Kansas producers. Tracey supports President Trump’s efforts to build the wall and curb illegal immigration.

“I will fight to restore fiscal discipline in Congress and will support sound agricultural policy. My experience in agriculture and business has taught me that politicians don’t create jobs; risk-takers and entrepreneurs create jobs. In Congress, I will do everything in my power to help job creators succeed. But above all, I will put Kansans and our Kansas values first.”

Tracey Mann served as the 50th Lt. Governor of the great state of Kansas. A fifth generation Kansan, he was born and raised on his family farm just south of Quinter.

He attended Kansas State University where he studied Agricultural Economics and was elected Student Body President. After college, Tracey started a career in commercial real estate.

Tracey has served on the Board of Directors of many Kansas organizations including: Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL), Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and The City Teen Center in Salina.

Tracey and his wife Audrey live in Salina with their 4 children (Quincy, Austin, Whitney and Elise).

Government, Kansas

Tax Reform Executive Order

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Governor Kelly issues Executive Order launching Governor’s Council on Tax Reform

 

 

Governor Laura Kelly today signaled the start of a comprehensive overview of state and local taxes by issuing Executive Order 19-11, which outlines her vision for establishment of a fiscally responsible, fair and sustainable tax structure.

 

The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform will conduct an 18-month, in-depth study, and make specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers.

 

The first meeting of the full Council is set for Sept. 24-25 at the Statehouse.

 

“While Kansas continues to recover from the tax experiment of the prior administration, there’s a need for tax reform designed with adequacy, equity and stability in mind,” Governor Kelly said. “I expect the bipartisan Council to deliver sound strategies and reforms that reflect my desire to keep the state tax burden as low as possible, benefiting all Kansans.”

 

The governor recommends a return to the “three-legged stool” approach that relies on a sensible balance of income, sales and property tax revenue.

 

The Council will review aspects of state and local finances discussed in the 2019 legislative session as they relate to issues such as: how best to respond to federal tax law changes; the taxation of groceries as part of sales tax revenue; and how to best provide targeted property tax relief. The Council also is charged with determining how much room will be available in future budget projections for tax relief.

 

The governor selected a pair of former legislators she served with in the Kansas Senate to be co-chairs for her bipartisan Council on Tax Reform; Steve Morris, Republican from Hugoton, and Janis Lee, Democrat from Kensington. Morris served 20 years in the Senate, including eight as Senate president. Lee logged 22 years in the Senate, served as ranking Democrat on the Senate’s tax committee and later was a hearing officer for the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals.

 

“Steve and Janis understand how important it is to ensure that our tax code supports public investment in areas such as education, public safety and infrastructure needed to help Kansas prosper,” Kelly said.

 

Other members of the Council appointed by the governor include representatives of the business community, agriculture, economic development and governmental entities.

 

Also invited to participate were the following legislative leaders: Republicans Susan Wagle, Senate president, and Ron Ryckman, House speaker; and Democrats Anthony Hensley, Senate minority leader, and Tom Sawyer, House minority leader.

 

Following the first meeting of the Council Sept. 24-25, subsequent meetings in 2019 are set for Oct. 15-16, Nov. 14 and Dec. 3-4.

 

An interim report by the Council is planned for December 2019, in advance of the 2020 legislative session. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.

 

COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

 

Kansas County Treasurers Association: Joe Grisolano, Pittsburg; Crawford County treasurer, former county appraiser and school board member.

 

Kansas Association of School Boards: Shannon Kimball, Lawrence; school board member and president of the Kansas Association of School Boards.

 

Kansas Association of Counties: Anthony Swartzendruber, Hesston, Harvey County administrator

 

Kansas League of Municipalities: Susan Sherman, Olathe, assistant city manager of Olathe.

 

Business, Economic Development or Agricultural Communities (4):

  • Dennis Hays, Kansas City, Kan., former county administrator for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK, currently principal at Hays and Associates, LLC.
  • Larry Weians, Lenexa, vice president of finance for Sprint
  • Lon Frahm, Colby, CEO of Frahm Farmland, Inc.
  • Carl Brewer, Wichita, retired operations manager at Spirit AeroSystems, former mayor of Wichita

 

Additional members:

  • Duane Goossen, Topeka, former state budget director, secretary of administration, member of the Kansas House
  • Audrey Langworthy, Prairie Village, former state senator who served as chair of the Senate Tax Committee.
  • John Wilson, Lawrence, Kansas Action for Children vice president of advocacy and former Kansas House of Representatives member

 

Agencies (all ex-officio members):

  • Mark Burghart or designee — Secretary of Revenue
  • David Toland or designee — Secretary of Commerce
  • Larry Campbell or designee — state budget director
  • Julie Lorenz or designee — Secretary of Transportation

 

Legislative leaders (invited):

  • Susan Wagle, Wichita, Senate president
  • Ron Ryckman, Olathe, House speaker
  • Anthony Hensley, Topeka, Senate minority leader
  • Tom Sawyer, Wichita, House minority leader

 

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Medicaid Expansion

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Governor Kelly announces the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion

 

Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion. This Council of legislators, policy experts, advocates, stakeholders and community leaders will spearhead the Medicaid expansion efforts in the 2020 legislative session.

 

The members of the Council and their current positions are listed below:

 

Tom Bell – President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association

Sen. Ed Berger – State Senator, District 34

Rep. Susan Concannon – State Representative, District 107

Denise Cyzman – CEO, Community Care Network of Kansas

Ximena Garcia M.D., Community Health Advocate

Cathy Harding – President and CEO, Wyandotte Health Foundation

Rep. Don Hineman – State Representative, District 118

April Holman – Executive Director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas

Dave Kerr, former president of the Kansas Senate

Kyle Kessler – Executive Director, Association of Community Mental Health Centers

Sen. Carolyn McGinn – State Senator, District 31

Rep. Monica Murnan – State Representative, District 3

Dr. Lee Norman – Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

David K. Livingston – CEO, Aetna Better Health of Kansas

Sen. Pat Pettey – State Senator, District 6

Rep. Jason Probst – State Representative, District 102

Jerry Slaughter – Interim Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society

Kevin Sparks – CEO, United Health Community Plan for Kansas

Michael Stephens – President and CEO, Sunflower Health Plan

Sen. Gene Suellentrop – State Senator, District 27

Suzanne Wikle – Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy

Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore – State Representative, District 36

 

 

Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

KDOT Announces Approved August Bids For Construction/Maintenance

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The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The letting took place Aug. 21, 2019, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

District Four — Southeast

 

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑5380‑01 ‑ Various locations in District Four in Miami, Bourbon, Labette, Crawford, Greenwood, Elk, Chautauqua and Montgomery counties, milling, Dustrol Inc., Towanda, Ks., $19,780.80.

 

 

District One — Northeast

 

Jefferson ‑ 192‑44 KA‑5324‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on K‑192, pavement marking, 7.7 miles, Century Fence Co., Pewaukee, Wi., $110,638.30.

 

Leavenworth ‑ 92‑52 KA‑5323‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on K‑92, pavement marking, 15.4 miles, Century Fence Co., Pewaukee, Wi., $230,527.46.

 

Leavenworth ‑ 192‑52 KA‑5325‑01 ‑ Pavement marking on K‑192, pavement marking, 8.5 miles, Century Fence Co., Pewaukee, Wi., $122,233.89.

 

Nemaha ‑ 66 TE‑0462‑01 – 6th Street from Main Street to the Sabetha Sports Complex, located north of Lincoln Street, pedestrian and bicycle paths, 0.5 mile, Bryant & Bryant Construction Inc., Halstead, Ks., $301,231.42.

 

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑5218‑01 ‑ Bridge #026 (over the Missouri River on the Kansas side) on K‑92 in Leavenworth County; bridges #235 and #240 (over the Missouri River) in Wyandotte County located 1.84 miles northeast of K‑5, bridge repair/navigational paint, Comanche Construction Inc., Shawnee Mission, Ks., $422,971.96.

 

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑5379‑01 ‑ Various locations in District One in Jackson, Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth, Jefferson, Douglas, Osage, Riley, Pottawatomie and Marshall counties, milling, Dustrol Inc., Towanda, Ks., $40,255.00.

 

District Two — North Central

 

Chase ‑ 177‑9 KA‑3943‑01 ‑ Bridge #025 (over U.S. 50) on K-177 located at the U.S. 50/K‑177 junction, bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Ks., $2,286,700.94.

 

Chase ‑ 177‑9 KA‑4430‑01 ‑ Bridge #024 (over Fox Creek) on K-177 located 3.33 miles north of U.S. 50., bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Ks., $1,907,168.13.

 

Chase ‑ 177‑9 KA‑4431‑01 ‑ Bridge #023 (over Fox Creek Drainage) on K-177 located 5.7 miles north of U.S. 50, bridge replacement, Bridges Inc., Newton, Ks., $1,346,389.23.

 

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑5378‑01 ‑ Various locations in District Two in Clay, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Marion, Republic, Saline and Washington counties, milling, APAC-Kansas Inc Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $35,443.60.

 

District Three — Northwest

 

Osborne ‑ 24‑71 KA‑5294‑01 – U.S. 24, from 0.6 mile east of County Road 515 east to the south U.S. 24/U.S. 281 junction, sealing, 12.7 miles, Bettis Asphalt & Construction Inc., Topeka, Ks., $1,272,303.50.

 

Russell ‑ 281‑84 KA‑5290‑01 – U.S. 281, from the west K‑18/U.S. 281 junction east to the east K‑18/U.S. 281 junction, sealing, 8.5 miles, Heft and Sons LLC, Greensburg, Ks., $269,856.60.

 

 

District Five — South Central

 

Barton ‑ 56‑5 KA‑5289‑01 – U.S. 56, from the east city limits of Pawnee Rock northeast to the south city limits of Great Bend, milling and overlay, 11.5 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,146,969.84.

 

Rice ‑ 14‑80 KA‑5286‑01 ‑ K‑14, from the north city limits of Lyons north to the Rice/Ellsworth county line, milling and overlay, 11.3 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., 3 $1,877,091.15.

 

Rice ‑ 56‑80 KA‑5287‑01 – U.S. 56, from the Lyons east city limits east to the McPherson/Rice county line, milling and overlay, 14.5 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc Shears Division, Hutchinson, Ks., $1,935,248.66.

 

Rush ‑ 183‑83 KA‑5288‑01 – U.S. 183, from the Pawnee/Rush county line north to the south city limits of La Crosse, milling and overlay, 12.0 miles, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $2,066,584.48.

 

Rush ‑ 04‑83 KA‑5327‑01 ‑ K‑4, from the Rush/Ness county line east to the Rush/Barton county line, crack repair, 36.7 miles, Scodeller Construction Inc., Wixom, Mi., $123,315.77.

 

District Six — Southwest

 

Statewide ‑ 106 KA‑5326‑01 ‑ Various locations in District Six in Greeley, Wichita, Finney, Haskell, Seward, Stevens, Morton, Clark and Ford counties, milling, Venture Corporation, Great Bend, Ks., $12,928.00.

 

 

 

The following projects were approved from the July 17, 2019, letting.

 

Riley ‑ 24‑81 KA‑4757‑01 – U.S. 24 and Kimball Avenue intersection in Manhattan, intersection improvement, 0.3 mile, Pavers Inc., Salina, Ks., $881,990.47.

 

Mitchell ‑ 62 U‑2330‑01 – Beloit along Bell, Walnut, 15th, and Poplar Streets, pedestrian and bicycle paths, 1.9 miles, Brummer And Miller Construction, Beloit, Ks., $416,970.55.

 

Chase ‑ 9 C‑4910‑01 – Bridge over Bloody Creek located 3.4 miles south and 5.4 miles east Cottonwood Falls, bridge replacement, 0.2 mile, King Construction Company Inc. and Subsidiaries, Hesston, Ks., $435,647.98.

 

Miami ‑ 61 C‑4916‑01 – Bridge on 263rd Street over North Wea Creek located 2 miles north and 4.2 miles west of Louisburg, bridge replacement, Bryan-Ohlmeier Construction Co. Inc., Paola, Ks., $508,074.49.

 

Government, Kansas

KDOT Cost Share Program

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KDOT’s new Cost Share Program now accepting applications

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has launched a new program designed to provide state funding for transportation projects while also leveraging local and private funding. The new Cost Share Program will provide funding to local entities for transportation projects that improve safety, support job retention and growth, improve access or mobility, relieve congestion and help areas across the state improve the transportation system.

 

Up to $50 million will be available in the program for fiscal year 2020. The on-going program, which has at least $11 million available, requires a minimum of 15% non-state cash match.  Additional consideration will be given to project applications that commit more than the minimum required match amount. The funding above the base $11 million comes from a one-time, $50 million State General Fund transfer. A minimum 25% match is required for projects to qualify for the one-time funds.

 

The Cost Share Program is open to all transportation projects including roadway (on and off the state highway system), rail, airport, bicycle/pedestrian and public transit. Funds from the program can only be used for construction.

 

“Creating the Cost Share Program allows us to leverage both state and local dollars to help address important transportation needs across Kansas,” said Kansas Secretary Julie Lorenz. “We look forward to working with Kansas communities to build projects that improve safety and keep the Kansas economy moving.”

 

Funding for the program is part of the $216 million in sales tax authorized by the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly to remain in the state highway fund in fiscal year 2020. In addition to the Cost Share Program, those funds are being used to increase highway preservation, help complete delayed T-WORKS projects, improve safety and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.

 

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis beginning Sept. 3, 2019, and will be reviewed twice annually, in October and March. To be included in the first review period, applications must be submitted by Oct. 11, 2019. Selection criteria will include consideration of projects that meet program objectives, eligibility categories and requirements. Geographic distribution also will be considered during project selection.

Application and a fact sheet on the Cost Share Program can be found at www.KSDot.org or with the links below:

Application

Fact Sheet

Government, Kansas

State finishes August $2.9 million above estimate

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TOPEKA – The state’s August collections are slightly above estimates with total tax collections at $497.2 million; $2.9 million or 0.59% more than the estimate. Those collections are also $2.8 million more than the same month in Fiscal Year 2019.

Retail sales tax collections were $205.3 million; up 3.67% from the $198.0 million estimate. Compensating use tax collections came in at $32.6 million; $2.4 million below the estimate.

 

Individual income tax collections were $231.3 million. This is $6.3 million, or 2.78%, more than the estimate and $10.5 million more than August 2018. Corporate income tax collections were $6.6 million; $5.4 million below the estimate.

“We continue to hold steady with the estimates,” Secretary Mark Burghart said. “I’m encouraged by both the improved sales tax collections and the stability of individual tax collections as we have now finished the second month of the fiscal year.”

 

Kansas, Schools

Put the Brakes On Fatalities Poster Contest

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Deadlines approaching for poster, video contests

Students and school/class/booster club can win prizes

 

The deadlines for the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day poster and video contests are coming up quick. Kansas students can win great prizes and learn about traffic safety. In addition, the school, class or booster club of the grand prize-winning students will also receive money as part of the contest prizes.

 

Poster entries must be postmarked by Friday, Sept. 20. Video entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29.

 

Poster contest: For Kansas students ages 5 to 13 – three statewide winners will each receive:

sKindle Fire Tablet and case from the Kansas Turnpike Authority;

s$50 Amazon gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store

Association of Kansas;

sMovie passes from AAA Kansas; and

s$200 for the school, class or the booster club.

A total of 18 regional winners in the six regions and age groups (ages 5-7, ages 8-10 and ages 11-13) will receive a bicycle from the KTA and a helmet from Safe Kids Kansas. Information and entry forms are available here.

 

Video contest: For Kansas teens in grades 8-12. Prizes from the KTA include an iPad, a Go Pro and a DJI Osmo Pocket, and the grand prize winner’s school, class or booster club will receive $500. Information to submit entries is available here.

 

About 37,000 people die in traffic crashes each year across the United States. That’s nearly 101 fatalities every day. Let’s encourage everyone – drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists – to exercise caution every day and Put the Brakes on Fatalities.

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation and numerous transportation organizations in Kansas are sponsoring the contests. More information about Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is available here.

 

Winners from last year’s contests are listed below:

2018 Poster Contest Winners –

Northeast Kansas – Hudson Barrett, Spring Hill; Aurora Powell, Overbrook; Abigail Coons, Lawrence

North Central Kansas – Kierstyn Coup, Hope; Manny Morales, McPherson; Kira Carver, Herington

Northwest Kansas – Matthias Miller, Gorham; Janessa Miller, Gorham; Conner Miller, Gorham

Southeast Kansas – Hadley Holmes, Riverton; Brooklyn Green-Lawson, Riverton; Brayden Myers, Parsons

South Central Kansas – Kaymi Zink, Claflin; Finley Maloney, Kingman; Jeffrey Hamm, El Dorado

Southwest Kansas – Emmaline Luna, Holcomb; Mia Montes, Holcomb; Edgar Morales, Liberal

 

2018 Video Contest winners –

Andrew Marshall Tabb from Shawnee Mission West won first place.

Students from Eudora High School captured sec­ond place.

Students from Lawrence High School placed third in the video contest.

Government, Kansas

KDOT calls for Transportation Alternatives Program projects

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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is announcing a call for projects for the 2021 Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program.

 

KDOT’s TA Program provides funding for a variety of alternative transportation projects. These include the construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and infrastructure for non-driver access to public transportation, projects that enhance safety and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders, projects that improve scenic or environmental assets in the state, Safe Routes to School projects and more.

 

“We know how important these projects are to quality of life.” said Julie Lorenz, Secretary of Transportation. “We are hearing from Kansans at recent local consult meetings around the state about how much these projects matter to them for improved safety and mobility.”

 

An estimated $7 million in federal funds are anticipated to be available to award for Federal Fiscal Year 2021. All selected projects will be required to meet a minimum 20 percent local match and cover all non-participating expenses (e.g. right-of-way, utilities, design, etc.).

 

Important Dates:

 

  • TA Program Workshops – KDOT will host two workshops to inform applicants about program requirements and expectations. Space is limited – please RSVP by 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, to [email protected] or (785) 296-5186 and indicate which workshop you would like to attend.

o Topeka: Sept. 20 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eisenhower State Office Building, 4th Floor Auditorium, 700 SW Harrison, Topeka, KS 66603.

o Salina: Sept. 27 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, Classroom 58, 2025 East Iron, Salina, KS 67401.

 

  • Nov. 1 – Applications are due and must be postmarked by this date. Please submit one paper copy and one digital copy in PDF format on a USB flash drive, mailed to:

KDOT headquarters/Attn: Jenny Kramer, 700 SW Harrison St. 2nd Floor,

Topeka, KS 66603.

 

  • December 2019 – January 2020 – KDOT staff will conduct site visits.

 

  • Spring 2020 – Project selections and public announcement of awards.

 

For more information, please contact Jenny Kramer at [email protected] or call (785) 296-5186.

Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Kansas

Cattle Grazing School Sept. 28

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Upcoming grazing school to be held in Bourbon County – Stay tuned for more details

Southeast Kansas is rich with grasslands. These grasslands are ideal for grazing cattle. To learn more about cattle grazing, specifically in southeast Kansas, plan to attend a one-day grazing school held in Bourbon County, Kansas on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

This program is hosted by the Southwind Extension District, the Wildcat Extension District and Cherokee County Extension, and will feature classroom instruction and ranch tours. More details are forthcoming, but tentatively scheduled activities include classroom sessions on pasture fertility, extending the grazing season with alternative forage crops, and the economics of grazing.

Tentatively scheduled tours include a progressive operation near Fort Scott, Kansas which specializes in advanced breeding techniques, and an operation near Redfield, Kansas utilizing rotational grazing and improved livestock watering systems.

This program will run from approximately 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Specific details including location, meal, and registration fees will be available at your local extension offices within the next couple weeks.

For questions contact K-State Research and Extension -Southwind District Extension Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management, Christopher Petty at 620-223-3720 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Area News, Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Kansas

SOUTHWIND 4-H MEMBERS WIN 4 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

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 Thirteen 4-H members from the Southwind Extension District – Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson Counties – had the opportunity to participate at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes at Kansas State University. Their skills and knowledge were challenged by participating in Livestock & Meats Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Skillathon contests. Those attending were (from left to right) Carla Nemecek (District Director & Coach), Taylor Elsworth, Leah Mueller, Gwen Fry, Kristy Beene, Carly Dreher, Brody Nemecek, Jillian Keller, Clay Brillhart, Haydon Schaaf, Haleigh O’Brien, Trey Sommer, Sadie Marchiano and Aidan Yoho. ________________________________________________________________

 

4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 24-25 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall.  The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon Neosho and Woodson Counties.

4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills in order to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2019 Champion and 3rd Overall Kansas State 4-H Sweepstakes Teams. Top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Jillian Keller, 10th; Aidan Yoho, 7th; Sadie Marchiao, 5th; Clay Brillhart, 3rd; Brody Nemecek, 2nd; and Haydon Schaaf was named High Individual Overall (for the second consecutive year!) after excelling in all contests.

The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #2 (Schaaf, Nemecek, Brillhart, Yoho) was seated first after the test and was later named the Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #1 (Marchiano, Keller, Dreher, Fry) earned 3rd best team.

The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 201 contestants and 43 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #2 (Keller, Brillhart, Nemecek, Schaaf) was 1st in Sheep/Goats; 1st in Hogs; 1st in Cattle and 1st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Marchiano, Fry, Yoho) was 2nd in Sheep/Goats; 3rd in Hogs; 10th in Cattle; 4th in Reasons and named Fourth High Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:

  • Jillian Keller – 1st Sheep/Goats; 3rd Hogs; 8th Beef; 5th Reasons; High Individual Overall
  • Clay Brillhart – 3rd Sheep/Goats; 4th Swine; 4th Beef; 3rd Reasons; 2nd Individual Overall
  • Haydon Schaaf – 5th Hogs; High Individual Beef; 4th Reasons; 3rd Individual Overall
  • Brody Nemecek – High Individual Hogs; High Individual Reasons
  • Sadie Marchiano – 5th Sheep/Goats; 2nd Hogs; 6th Reasons; 7th Individual Overall

    As the State Champion Livestock Judging Team, Southwind District (Keller, Brillhart, Schaaf, Nemecek) will represent Kansas 4-H at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, MO this coming October.

    The Meats Judging contest was based on identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes and three sets of reasons. Southwind #2 (Schaaf, Brillhart, Nemecek, Yoho) was 3rd in Placings, 5th in Reasons, 2nd in Retail ID and Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Beene, Fry, Keller, Marchiano) was 2nd in Meats Reasons. Individual meats judging results are as follows:

  • Haydon Schaaf – High Individual Retail ID and High Individual Overall
  • Jillian Keller – 2nd Reasons
  • Clay Brillhart – 7th Individual Overall

    In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating a performance Angus genetics scenario, understanding livestock biosecurity, and understanding issues in livestock reproduction. Southwind #2 (Brillhart, Marchiano, Nemecek, Schaaf) was 1st in Exam, 1st in ID; and Champion Team Overall. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Fry, Keller, Yoho) was 4th in ID and 4th Team Overall. Southwind #3 (Beene, Mueller, O’Brien, Elsworth) were 5th in the Exam.  Individual Skillathon results are as follows:

  • Brody Nemecek – 2nd Exam; 1st ID; High Individual Overall
  • Sadie Marchiano – 5th ID; 4th Individual
  • Haleigh O’Brien – 1st Exam
  • Aidan Yoho – 8th Individual
  • Haydon Schaaf – 6th Individual
  • Clay Brillhart – 5th Individual

    This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Livestock and Meats Judging Teams, Reserve Champion Quiz Bowl Team, Champion Livestock Skillathon Team, and Overall Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.”  The Southwind District is proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.

K-State, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.  K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


Submitted by Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749

 

Government, Kansas

$ Rewarded to Drivers Who Buckle Up

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Safe Kids Kansas, State Farm and KDOT partner up for safety message

 

Thousands of vehicles will be traveling the Kansas roadways during the Labor Day weekend.  Many families will head out on one last camping trip or getaway as the school year begins.  Safe Kids Kansas, (sponsored in part by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment), State Farm and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) want to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect their most valuable assets, their families.

 

This year, August 25 through September 8, a safety belt awareness campaign called “Bucks for Buckles” is being held in 51 cities across Kansas.  Dollar bills are being distributed by local volunteers to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicle.  Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats in saving lives and reducing injuries.

 

“No one can predict when they will be involved in a motor vehicle crash, yet almost all of us will be involved in an automobile crash in our lifetime.  In 2017, 461 people lost their lives on Kansas roadways and 56 percent of them were unbuckled,” said Cherie Sage, State Director for Safe Kids Kansas.  “The single most effective means of protecting the lives of you and your passengers is wearing seat belts and using appropriate child restraints every time you ride in the vehicle – even short distances.”

 

According to the 2017 KDOT Seat Belt Survey, 88 percent of Kansans surveyed were wearing their seat belts.  This compares to the national average is 90 percent.  Kansas ranked 43rd in belt use in 2017, among 50 states and the District of Columbia.

 

An average of 102 people die each day in motor vehicle crashes nationally; that’s an average of one death every 14 minutes.  “Seat belts are the single most effective device you can use to save your life during a vehicle crash,” said Sage.   “They also reduce your chances of having a serious injury by as much as 50 percent.  It’s such a simple thing, so take your life into your own hand and buckle up.”

 

For more information about safety belt or child safety seat use, call 785-296-1223 or visit www.safekidskansas.org, www.safekids.org and www.facebook.com/safekidskansas.