By BRIDGET SMALL FTC consumer education specialist

You might have heard that scams mostly affect older adults, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/new-analysis-shows-adults-under-60-report-losses-online-shopping-scams-investment-scams-more-older">reports to the FTC</a>&nbsp;tell a different story.

Last year, adults under 60 — our Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z neighbors — were more likely to report losing money to fraud than people 60 and over. And what did they report the most? Losing money to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/online-shopping">online shopping fraud</a>, often when things pitched to them on social media never arrived.

Compared to older adults, those under 60 were more than four times as likely to report losing money on an investment scam, often a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams">fake cryptocurrency investment</a>&nbsp;opportunity, and more than five times as likely to report losing money to a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">job scam</a>.&nbsp;Many college students reported losing money to phony job offers sent to their school email addresses.

Overall, adults under 60 most often reported losing money to scams that started on social media, a website, or an app, and their median reported fraud loss was $500.

People over 60 were less likely to report losing money to fraud, but their reported losses were higher. The median reported loss was $800 among people in their 70s and jumped to $1,500 for people over 80. 

Older adults were more likely to report losing money to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-tech-support-scams">tech support scammers</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;cons who urge people to pay for unneeded computer repairs&nbsp;—&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fake-prize-sweepstakes-lottery-scams">prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams</a>&nbsp;that demand payment but never give a prize. About one in four of the older adults’ loss reports said the scam started with a phone call.

Sharing what you know about scams helps protect people of all ages around you. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="file://dc02/users/efletcher/Spotlights/Age/ftc.gov/PassitOn">ftc.gov/PassitOn</a>.&nbsp;If you see a scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670523822686.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIDGET SMALL FTC consumer education specialistYou might have heard that scams mostly affect older adults, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/12/new-analysis-shows-adults-under-60-report-losses-online-shopping-scams-investment-scams-more-older">reports to the FTC</a>&nbsp;tell a different story. Last year, adults under 60 — our Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z neighbors — were more likely to report losing money to fraud than people 60 and over. And what did they report the most? Losing money to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/online-shopping">online shopping fraud</a>, often when things pitched to them on social media never arrived.Compared to older adults, those under 60 were more than four times as likely to report losing money on an investment scam, often a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams">fake cryptocurrency investment</a>&nbsp;opportunity, and more than five times as likely to report losing money to a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams">job scam</a>.&nbsp;Many college students reported losing money to phony job offers sent to their school email addresses. Overall, adults under 60 most often reported losing money to scams that started on social media, a website, or an app, and their median reported fraud loss was $500.People over 60 were less likely to report losing money to fraud, but their reported losses were higher. The median reported loss was $800 among people in their 70s and jumped to $1,500 for people over 80. Older adults were more likely to report losing money to&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-tech-support-scams">tech support scammers</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;cons who urge people to pay for unneeded computer repairs&nbsp;—&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fake-prize-sweepstakes-lottery-scams">prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams</a>&nbsp;that demand payment but never give a prize. About one in four of the older adults’ loss reports said the scam started with a phone call.Sharing what you know about scams helps protect people of all ages around you. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="file://dc02/users/efletcher/Spotlights/Age/ftc.gov/PassitOn">ftc.gov/PassitOn</a>.&nbsp;If you see a scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

Fraud reports and losses: Not just a grandparent’s story

By NATE KING Salina Post

After securing his re-election in the midterm election, Clarke Sanders, State Representative of the 69th&nbsp;Kansas House District sat down for an exclusive interview&nbsp;with Salina Post. Sanders talked about the possibility of legislation that would allow for medical marijuana, the partisan divide between the state legislature and Governor Laura Kelly, rural broadband access, and his reflections on his campaign.&nbsp;

According to the unofficial election results provided by the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Sanders won the race&nbsp;with 4,420 votes, to his Democrat opponent Sarah Crews, 2,202 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Issues likely to be discussed this legislative session

Each legislative session, a myriad of bills, acts, and resolutions make their way through the halls of the statehouse. A vast amount of the votes held, according to Sanders, are bipartisan, involving support by both political parties.&nbsp;

"What people need to understand is on 80 to 85 percent of the things we vote on, passes in the Kansas House&nbsp;with overwhelming majorities 121 to three or&nbsp; 117 to six," Sanders said. "I mean, but these are things that you don't ever hear about."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Like House Resolution 6027—a resolution that congratulated the 2021-2022 University of Kansas men's basketball team for an outstanding season and for&nbsp;winning the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, which passed&nbsp;without even a roll call vote.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sanders pointed out that the selection of the state's official fruit, the Sand Hill Plum, only had had five votes against it.&nbsp;Representatives had jokingly opposed the measure in favor of fruit suggestions made by schools in their districts.&nbsp;

Sanders however, did not deny that both political parties in the state have disagreements&nbsp;with one another surrounding social and appropriation policy. One issue likely to be discussed this session is the legalization of medical marijuana.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I want to make my position clear on this. I'm definitely in favor of medicinal marijuana. I'm sure that's going to come up this legislative session," Sanders said. "I'm going to be voting in favor of medicinal marijuana. I am not sold at all on recreational marijuana, but there are a lot of drugs, morphine would be at the top of the list, that have good uses when they're in a controlled situation. I think that marijuana falls into that category. From what I understand. It's a real good reliever of pain&nbsp;without the nausea."&nbsp;

Kansas legislators on the joint Special Committee on Medical Marijuana met on Oct. 12 and Oct. 19&nbsp; to read through and discuss the medical marijuana legislation. This comes after&nbsp;Wichita voted during first reading of a motion to do away with hundreds of marijuana possession prosecutions. By population Wichita is the second largest metropolitan area in the state.&nbsp;

This year, several attempts were made to pass medical cannabis legislation, including Senate Bill 158 and Senate Bill 560. Senate leadership managed to obstruct those efforts and both bills failed. Senator Robert Olsen, representing the 23rd&nbsp;Kansas Senate District and Representative John Barker representing the 70th&nbsp;District in the Kansas House of Representatives are advocates of medical cannabis and plan to introduce legislation in the 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://news.ku.edu/2022/03/23/speed-test-surveys-show-1-million-kansans-may-have-inadequate-internet" target="_blank">Kansas University research study</a>&nbsp;conducted from January 2021 to January 2022, more than 1 million Kansan's live in a ZIP code where average download speeds are below 100 Mbps download speeds and&nbsp; 20 Mbps upload speeds. Sanders said that more is needed to be done by the legislature to address this issue.

&nbsp;"Another thing that we're going to address that is absolutely critical is rural broadband access. There are vast areas of this state where you don't have an internet connection, and if you do it isn't very good," Sanders said. "If we're going to attract population, to this state, somewhere other than northeast Kansas - we don't have any trouble attracting population there, but to the rural areas of this state, the areas that I and several of my colleagues represent, we have got to have rural broadband access. And so that's something I'm going to be working on."&nbsp;

Sanders said that the campaign cycle this election was more amicable than the last time he ran for office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;"Last time, there was a lot of rancor. You know, I'm sure that I participated in that to somewhat of an extent, but I was really being attacked last time. I appreciate that. Sarah Crews didn't run a campaign that was interested in doing that. We pretty much stuck to the issues."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now that the door-knocking, campaigning and stump speeches are over, Rep. Sanders said that he was surprised that of the doors he knocked on, many of his constituents didn't have much to say.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"A lot of times, people aren't really that interested in talking to you [the candidate.]" Sanders said. "I mean, they're pleasant, they're not impolite by any means - but they say, 'Oh, thank you, or I'll consider on voting for you or whatever.' You don't,&nbsp; hear that much at the doors, which is kind of surprising."&nbsp;

Makeup of the 2023 Legislature and closing remarks

Of the 125 representatives in the Kansas House, 85 of them will be Republicans in the 2023 legislative session, that is one less than they had last session.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It would have made a world of difference if Derek Schmidt had been elected governor, and from my perspective," Sanders said. "If you've got same party governor, then you need 63 votes to pass a piece of legislation in the House, and there's a strong possibility the governor is going to sign it. If you have a Democrat governor, like we will continue to have you can pass legislation with 63 or 65 or 71 votes or at 83, but if she vetoes something, then we've got to muster at least 84&nbsp;votes to override Kelly's vetoes."&nbsp;

Sanders said that getting 84 people to be on the same page on controversial bills is hard to do, which means Republicans in Kansas have a slightly steeper hill to climb to override Kelly's vetoes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"She is probably the most veto-overridden governor in our history. Two sessions ago, she had nine overrides in one morning, nine pieces of things she had vetoed, we overrode. And we didn't do quite as well, this past time around," Sanders said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I think that we have a more like-minded group this session," Sanders said. "It's not necessarily all well, some of us - a lot of us, would've liked to be at 90 or 92. But that is not the reality."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670526693175.jpeg" alt="Representative Clarke Sanders. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kslegislature.org">kslegislature.org</a>" />
 <figcaption>Representative Clarke Sanders. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kslegislature.org">kslegislature.org</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostAfter securing his re-election in the midterm election, Clarke Sanders, State Representative of the 69th&nbsp;Kansas House District sat down for an exclusive interview&nbsp;with Salina Post. Sanders talked about the possibility of legislation that would allow for medical marijuana, the partisan divide between the state legislature and Governor Laura Kelly, rural broadband access, and his reflections on his campaign.&nbsp;According to the unofficial election results provided by the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Sanders won the race&nbsp;with 4,420 votes, to his Democrat opponent Sarah Crews, 2,202 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Issues likely to be discussed this legislative session</h2>Each legislative session, a myriad of bills, acts, and resolutions make their way through the halls of the statehouse. A vast amount of the votes held, according to Sanders, are bipartisan, involving support by both political parties.&nbsp;"What people need to understand is on 80 to 85 percent of the things we vote on, passes in the Kansas House&nbsp;with overwhelming majorities 121 to three or&nbsp; 117 to six," Sanders said. "I mean, but these are things that you don't ever hear about."&nbsp;&nbsp;Like House Resolution 6027—a resolution that congratulated the 2021-2022 University of Kansas men's basketball team for an outstanding season and for&nbsp;winning the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, which passed&nbsp;without even a roll call vote.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sanders pointed out that the selection of the state's official fruit, the Sand Hill Plum, only had had five votes against it.&nbsp;Representatives had jokingly opposed the measure in favor of fruit suggestions made by schools in their districts.&nbsp;Sanders however, did not deny that both political parties in the state have disagreements&nbsp;with one another surrounding social and appropriation policy. One issue likely to be discussed this session is the legalization of medical marijuana.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I want to make my position clear on this. I'm definitely in favor of medicinal marijuana. I'm sure that's going to come up this legislative session," Sanders said. "I'm going to be voting in favor of medicinal marijuana. I am not sold at all on recreational marijuana, but there are a lot of drugs, morphine would be at the top of the list, that have good uses when they're in a controlled situation. I think that marijuana falls into that category. From what I understand. It's a real good reliever of pain&nbsp;without the nausea."&nbsp;Kansas legislators on the joint Special Committee on Medical Marijuana met on Oct. 12 and Oct. 19&nbsp; to read through and discuss the medical marijuana legislation. This comes after&nbsp;Wichita voted during first reading of a motion to do away with hundreds of marijuana possession prosecutions. By population Wichita is the second largest metropolitan area in the state.&nbsp;This year, several attempts were made to pass medical cannabis legislation, including Senate Bill 158 and Senate Bill 560. Senate leadership managed to obstruct those efforts and both bills failed. Senator Robert Olsen, representing the 23rd&nbsp;Kansas Senate District and Representative John Barker representing the 70th&nbsp;District in the Kansas House of Representatives are advocates of medical cannabis and plan to introduce legislation in the 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Rural broadband access</h2>According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://news.ku.edu/2022/03/23/speed-test-surveys-show-1-million-kansans-may-have-inadequate-internet" target="_blank">Kansas University research study</a>&nbsp;conducted from January 2021 to January 2022, more than 1 million Kansan's live in a ZIP code where average download speeds are below 100 Mbps download speeds and&nbsp; 20 Mbps upload speeds. Sanders said that more is needed to be done by the legislature to address this issue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669648438467.png" alt="A map of Kansas showing broadband download speeds. Map courtesy Institute for Policy and Social Research, The University of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>A map of Kansas showing broadband download speeds. Map courtesy Institute for Policy and Social Research, The University of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;"Another thing that we're going to address that is absolutely critical is rural broadband access. There are vast areas of this state where you don't have an internet connection, and if you do it isn't very good," Sanders said. "If we're going to attract population, to this state, somewhere other than northeast Kansas - we don't have any trouble attracting population there, but to the rural areas of this state, the areas that I and several of my colleagues represent, we have got to have rural broadband access. And so that's something I'm going to be working on."&nbsp;<h2>2022 campaign</h2>Sanders said that the campaign cycle this election was more amicable than the last time he ran for office.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Last time, there was a lot of rancor. You know, I'm sure that I participated in that to somewhat of an extent, but I was really being attacked last time. I appreciate that. Sarah Crews didn't run a campaign that was interested in doing that. We pretty much stuck to the issues."&nbsp;&nbsp;Now that the door-knocking, campaigning and stump speeches are over, Rep. Sanders said that he was surprised that of the doors he knocked on, many of his constituents didn't have much to say.&nbsp;&nbsp;"A lot of times, people aren't really that interested in talking to you [the candidate.]" Sanders said. "I mean, they're pleasant, they're not impolite by any means - but they say, 'Oh, thank you, or I'll consider on voting for you or whatever.' You don't,&nbsp; hear that much at the doors, which is kind of surprising."&nbsp;<h2>Makeup of the 2023 Legislature and closing remarks</h2>Of the 125 representatives in the Kansas House, 85 of them will be Republicans in the 2023 legislative session, that is one less than they had last session.&nbsp;&nbsp;"It would have made a world of difference if Derek Schmidt had been elected governor, and from my perspective," Sanders said. "If you've got same party governor, then you need 63 votes to pass a piece of legislation in the House, and there's a strong possibility the governor is going to sign it. If you have a Democrat governor, like we will continue to have you can pass legislation with 63 or 65 or 71 votes or at 83, but if she vetoes something, then we've got to muster at least 84&nbsp;votes to override Kelly's vetoes."&nbsp;Sanders said that getting 84 people to be on the same page on controversial bills is hard to do, which means Republicans in Kansas have a slightly steeper hill to climb to override Kelly's vetoes.&nbsp;&nbsp;"She is probably the most veto-overridden governor in our history. Two sessions ago, she had nine overrides in one morning, nine pieces of things she had vetoed, we overrode. And we didn't do quite as well, this past time around," Sanders said.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I think that we have a more like-minded group this session," Sanders said. "It's not necessarily all well, some of us - a lot of us, would've liked to be at 90 or 92. But that is not the reality."&nbsp;

Clarke Sanders talks medical marijuana, broadband access and more

TubaChristmas, a long-time celebration comprised of tuba and euphonium players, returns to Salina Saturday. 

The Kansas Wesleyan Department of Music will coordinate the event.

James McAllister, department chair, will conduct the TubaChristmas ensemble, which will rehearse Saturday morning of Dec. 10 at KWU. The group will then play at Central Mall at 12:30 p.m. Area tuba and euphonium players are encouraged to attend and perform.

Registration and rehearsal will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the music department’s suite in Pioneer Hall, which is located on the building’s bottom floor. Cost for participants is $10 and includes this year’s TubaChristmas button.

TubaChristmas is a celebration of tuba and euphonium players that began in 1974 to celebrate famed tuba instructor William Bell. The carols are specifically arranged for tubas and euphoniums. More information about TubaChristmas can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tubachristmas.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tubachristmas.com</a>.

KWUTubaChristmas, a long-time celebration comprised of tuba and euphonium players, returns to Salina Saturday. The Kansas Wesleyan Department of Music will coordinate the event.James McAllister, department chair, will conduct the TubaChristmas ensemble, which will rehearse Saturday morning of Dec. 10 at KWU. The group will then play at Central Mall at 12:30 p.m. Area tuba and euphonium players are encouraged to attend and perform.Registration and rehearsal will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the music department’s suite in Pioneer Hall, which is located on the building’s bottom floor. Cost for participants is $10 and includes this year’s TubaChristmas button.TubaChristmas is a celebration of tuba and euphonium players that began in 1974 to celebrate famed tuba instructor William Bell. The carols are specifically arranged for tubas and euphoniums. More information about TubaChristmas can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tubachristmas.com/" target="_blank">http://www.tubachristmas.com</a>.

TubaChristmas returns to Salina Saturday

Colin O’Brady, athlete, adventurer, and author, will be the featured speaker at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. 

The event is scheduled for April 4 in the arena of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center (TPEC) beginning at 6:30 p.m. A membership networking reception will precede the banquet.

Colin O’Brady is a 10-time world record breaking explorer and one of the world’s best endurance athletes.

He isn’t your typical adventurer despite his unmatched athletic accomplishments including a world-first solo crossing of Antarctica, a world-first ocean row across Drake Passage (from South America to Antarctica), and summiting Mt. Everest twice. Colin is an expert on mindset, a highly sought-after keynote speaker and a New York Times bestselling author. He’s also a television host, an executive producer and an entrepreneur who has built and sold companies. And he’s done it all after overcoming a devastating accident - to prove that anything is possible. His message will be one to instill hope and open your mind to possibilities! Take a look at the world of Colin O’Brady, via his website at <a href="https://www.colinobrady.com/">https://www.colinobrady.com/</a>.

The banquet will be held in the TPEC arena, and seating will consist of tables of eight, including dinner.

Tickets for chamber members are $60 per person for the banquet. Tickets for non-members are $85 per person for the banquet. Reservations for members and the general public can be made by calling the chamber office ticket hotline at 1-785-827-9310, ext. 123, stopping by the chamber office, 120 W. Ash Street, or emailing Sandy Cole at <a href="mailto:scole@salinakansas.org">scole@salinakansas.org</a>. Tickets will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A limited number of sponsorships are available. For details regarding the cost and amenities of the sponsorships, contact the chamber office.

The evening will consist of remarks by outgoing Board Chair Travis Young, Vortex Global; incoming Board Chair Alysia Starkey, K-State Salina; a brief review of the chamber’s accomplishments in 2022, and the keynote address by O’Brady.

For more information on the banquet and Colin O’Brady, go to the Chamber’s website at <a href="http://www.salinakansas.org">www.salinakansas.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670472846217.png" alt="Image courtesy Salina Are Chamber of Commerce" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Salina Are Chamber of Commerce</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Area Chamber of CommerceColin O’Brady, athlete, adventurer, and author, will be the featured speaker at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. The event is scheduled for April 4 in the arena of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center (TPEC) beginning at 6:30 p.m. A membership networking reception will precede the banquet.Colin O’Brady is a 10-time world record breaking explorer and one of the world’s best endurance athletes.He isn’t your typical adventurer despite his unmatched athletic accomplishments including a world-first solo crossing of Antarctica, a world-first ocean row across Drake Passage (from South America to Antarctica), and summiting Mt. Everest twice. Colin is an expert on mindset, a highly sought-after keynote speaker and a New York Times bestselling author. He’s also a television host, an executive producer and an entrepreneur who has built and sold companies. And he’s done it all after overcoming a devastating accident - to prove that anything is possible. His message will be one to instill hope and open your mind to possibilities! Take a look at the world of Colin O’Brady, via his website at <a href="https://www.colinobrady.com/">https://www.colinobrady.com/</a>.The banquet will be held in the TPEC arena, and seating will consist of tables of eight, including dinner.Tickets for chamber members are $60 per person for the banquet. Tickets for non-members are $85 per person for the banquet. Reservations for members and the general public can be made by calling the chamber office ticket hotline at 1-785-827-9310, ext. 123, stopping by the chamber office, 120 W. Ash Street, or emailing Sandy Cole at <a href="mailto:scole@salinakansas.org">scole@salinakansas.org</a>. Tickets will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis.A limited number of sponsorships are available. For details regarding the cost and amenities of the sponsorships, contact the chamber office.The evening will consist of remarks by outgoing Board Chair Travis Young, Vortex Global; incoming Board Chair Alysia Starkey, K-State Salina; a brief review of the chamber’s accomplishments in 2022, and the keynote address by O’Brady.For more information on the banquet and Colin O’Brady, go to the Chamber’s website at <a href="http://www.salinakansas.org">www.salinakansas.org</a>.

Salina Chamber: Colin O’Brady 2023 Annual Banquet speaker

Salina City Commissioners will host a panel discussion and open public forum regarding homelessness on Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Salina Grace Community Resource Center, 142 S. Seventh Street.

The public is encouraged to attend. There will be an opportunity for public comment as part of the meeting agenda.

City of SalinaSalina City Commissioners will host a panel discussion and open public forum regarding homelessness on Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Salina Grace Community Resource Center, 142 S. Seventh Street.The public is encouraged to attend. There will be an opportunity for public comment as part of the meeting agenda.

Salina City Commission to host panel discussion regarding homelessness

Today is Thursday, Dec. 8, the 342nd day of 2022. There are 23 days left in the year.

On Dec. 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Imperial Japan, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1765, Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, was born in Westborough, Massachusetts.

In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was founded in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government moved from the Chinese mainland to Formosa as the Communists pressed their attacks.

In 1980, rock star and former Beatle John Lennon was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building by Mark David Chapman.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed a treaty at the White House calling for destruction of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

In 1991, AIDS patient Kimberly Bergalis, who had contracted the disease from her dentist, died in Fort Pierce, Florida, at age 23.

In 2001, the U.S. Capitol was reopened to tourists after a two-month security shutdown.

In 2008, in a startling about-face, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal he would confess to masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks; four other men also abandoned their defenses.

In 2011, the 161-day NBA lockout ended when owners and players ratified the new collective bargaining agreement.

In 2014, the U.S. and NATO ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan, 13 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks sparked their invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government.

In 2016, John Glenn, whose 1962 flight as the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the U.S. Senate, died in Columbus, Ohio, at age 95.

In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected Republicans' last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvania's certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the electoral battleground; the court refused to call into question the certification process in the state.

Ten years ago: Police charged Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent with intoxication manslaughter after he flipped his car in a pre-dawn accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown. (Brent was convicted in Jan. 2014 and sentenced to 180 days in jail; he was reinstated by the NFL in Sept. 2014.) Texas A&amp;M quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.

Five years ago: Japanese pitching and hitting star Shohei Ohtani announced that he would sign with the Los Angeles Angels.

One year ago: With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court were to give them the OK, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature revealed a plan to make the state a "sanctuary" for those seeking reproductive care. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to make the federal government carbon-neutral by 2050, aiming for a 65% reduction in planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an all-electric fleet of car and trucks five years later. The number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 200 million. Nearly 17 years after being sentenced to die, Scott Peterson was resentenced in California to life without parole for the Christmas Eve killing of his pregnant wife, Laci, in 2002. (The state Supreme Court found that Peterson's jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty.) Center-left leader Olaf Scholz became Germany's ninth post-World War II chancellor.

Today's Birthdays: Flutist James Galway is 83. Singer Jerry Butler is 83. Pop musician Bobby Elliott (The Hollies) is 81. Actor Mary Woronov is 79. Actor John Rubinstein is 76. Actor Kim Basinger is 69. Rock musician Warren Cuccurullo is 66. Rock musician Phil Collen (Def Leppard) is 65. Country singer Marty Raybon is 63. Political commentator Ann Coulter is 61. Rock musician Marty Friedman is 60. Actor Wendell Pierce is 59. Actor Teri Hatcher is 58. Actor David Harewood is 57. Singer Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada' Davitt) is 56. Actor Matthew Laborteaux is 56. Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Mussina is 54. Rock musician Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel) is 50. Actor Dominic Monaghan is 46. Actor Ian Somerhalder is 44. Rock singer Ingrid Michaelson is 43. R&amp;B singer Chrisette Michele is 40. Actor Hannah Ware is 40. Country singer Sam Hunt is 38. MLB All-Star infielder Josh Donaldson is 37. Rock singer-actor Kate Voegele (VOH'-gehl) is 36. Christian rock musician Jen Ledger (Skillet) is 33. NHL defenseman Drew Doughty is 33. Actor Wallis Currie-Wood is 31. Actor AnnaSophia Robb is 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy shutterstock" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy shutterstock</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Thursday, Dec. 8, the 342nd day of 2022. There are 23 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Imperial Japan, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.On this date:In 1765, Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, was born in Westborough, Massachusetts.In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was founded in Columbus, Ohio.In 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government moved from the Chinese mainland to Formosa as the Communists pressed their attacks.In 1980, rock star and former Beatle John Lennon was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building by Mark David Chapman.In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed a treaty at the White House calling for destruction of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.In 1991, AIDS patient Kimberly Bergalis, who had contracted the disease from her dentist, died in Fort Pierce, Florida, at age 23.In 2001, the U.S. Capitol was reopened to tourists after a two-month security shutdown.In 2008, in a startling about-face, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal he would confess to masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks; four other men also abandoned their defenses.In 2011, the 161-day NBA lockout ended when owners and players ratified the new collective bargaining agreement.In 2014, the U.S. and NATO ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan, 13 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks sparked their invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government.In 2016, John Glenn, whose 1962 flight as the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the U.S. Senate, died in Columbus, Ohio, at age 95.In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected Republicans' last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvania's certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the electoral battleground; the court refused to call into question the certification process in the state.Ten years ago: Police charged Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent with intoxication manslaughter after he flipped his car in a pre-dawn accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown. (Brent was convicted in Jan. 2014 and sentenced to 180 days in jail; he was reinstated by the NFL in Sept. 2014.) Texas A&amp;M quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.Five years ago: Japanese pitching and hitting star Shohei Ohtani announced that he would sign with the Los Angeles Angels.One year ago: With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court were to give them the OK, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature revealed a plan to make the state a "sanctuary" for those seeking reproductive care. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to make the federal government carbon-neutral by 2050, aiming for a 65% reduction in planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an all-electric fleet of car and trucks five years later. The number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 200 million. Nearly 17 years after being sentenced to die, Scott Peterson was resentenced in California to life without parole for the Christmas Eve killing of his pregnant wife, Laci, in 2002. (The state Supreme Court found that Peterson's jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty.) Center-left leader Olaf Scholz became Germany's ninth post-World War II chancellor.Today's Birthdays: Flutist James Galway is 83. Singer Jerry Butler is 83. Pop musician Bobby Elliott (The Hollies) is 81. Actor Mary Woronov is 79. Actor John Rubinstein is 76. Actor Kim Basinger is 69. Rock musician Warren Cuccurullo is 66. Rock musician Phil Collen (Def Leppard) is 65. Country singer Marty Raybon is 63. Political commentator Ann Coulter is 61. Rock musician Marty Friedman is 60. Actor Wendell Pierce is 59. Actor Teri Hatcher is 58. Actor David Harewood is 57. Singer Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada' Davitt) is 56. Actor Matthew Laborteaux is 56. Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Mussina is 54. Rock musician Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel) is 50. Actor Dominic Monaghan is 46. Actor Ian Somerhalder is 44. Rock singer Ingrid Michaelson is 43. R&amp;B singer Chrisette Michele is 40. Actor Hannah Ware is 40. Country singer Sam Hunt is 38. MLB All-Star infielder Josh Donaldson is 37. Rock singer-actor Kate Voegele (VOH'-gehl) is 36. Christian rock musician Jen Ledger (Skillet) is 33. NHL defenseman Drew Doughty is 33. Actor Wallis Currie-Wood is 31. Actor AnnaSophia Robb is 29.

Today in History - December 8

Kansas Wesleyan University is now a member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), a group of nearly 1,500 institutions in 147 countries working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

“This is an important part of the work surrounding our Community Resilience Hub,” said Matt Thompson, KWU president. “The vision surrounding the hub is for individuals and groups to engage urgent social issues through education, action and advocacy, and in the process, to nurture local and global resilience. The UNAI is accepted worldwide as a group of institutions with similar goals, those who aspire to better the world around them. Kansas Wesleyan is proud to be accepted into this group.”

Every member organization is required to promote and foster UNAI’s 10 guiding principles, and must involve faculty, staff and students in at least one activity each year that actively addresses at least one. The principles revolve around education, human rights and sustainability.

KWU is just the fourth institution of higher learning in Kansas to attain UNAI membership.

KWUKansas Wesleyan University is now a member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), a group of nearly 1,500 institutions in 147 countries working to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development.“This is an important part of the work surrounding our Community Resilience Hub,” said Matt Thompson, KWU president. “The vision surrounding the hub is for individuals and groups to engage urgent social issues through education, action and advocacy, and in the process, to nurture local and global resilience. The UNAI is accepted worldwide as a group of institutions with similar goals, those who aspire to better the world around them. Kansas Wesleyan is proud to be accepted into this group.”Every member organization is required to promote and foster UNAI’s 10 guiding principles, and must involve faculty, staff and students in at least one activity each year that actively addresses at least one. The principles revolve around education, human rights and sustainability.KWU is just the fourth institution of higher learning in Kansas to attain UNAI membership.

KWU attains membership in United Nations Academic Impact

In preparation for the impending storm, additional winter weather advisories have been issued for counties in our area.

<a href="http://kandrive.org/">Go to kandrive.org for updates on highway conditions</a>

The National Weather Service in Hastings, Neb., has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 12 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.

Mixed precipitation is expected with at least a glaze of ice expected to coat all outdoor surfaces. Total ice accumulations of one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch and snow accumulations of up to one inch are possible.

Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 12 a.m.-noon Thursday for Cloud County.

Freezing rain and freezing drizzle changing to rain by late morning. Total ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch.

Slick travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Additionally, the National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 12 a.m.-noon Thursday Republic County.

By SALINA POSTIn preparation for the impending storm, additional winter weather advisories have been issued for counties in our area.<a href="http://kandrive.org/">Go to kandrive.org for updates on highway conditions</a>The National Weather Service in Hastings, Neb., has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 12 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.Jewell CountyMitchell CountyMixed precipitation is expected with at least a glaze of ice expected to coat all outdoor surfaces. Total ice accumulations of one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch and snow accumulations of up to one inch are possible.Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling.The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 12 a.m.-noon Thursday for Cloud County.Freezing rain and freezing drizzle changing to rain by late morning. Total ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch.Slick travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling.Additionally, the National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 12 a.m.-noon Thursday Republic County.Freezing rain and freezing drizzle changing to rain by late morning. Total ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch.Slick travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling.

NWS updates winter weather advisories for our area

By KATHY HAGEMAN For Dickinson County

Brad Homman could write a book about all the things he's seen or done during his nearly four decades with Dickinson County.

As a member of the sheriff's department, he worked accidents, investigated crimes - and while undercover - purchased drugs and busted dealers.

As the head of 911 Dispatch, he built and staffed the county's emergency communications center and was onboard as cellular technology was changing faster than government entities could afford to purchase it.

And during the last 16 years as Dickinson County administrator, he has been at the helm through the good and the bad: Two tornadoes (in 2008 and 2016) and recovery efforts, building a new jail and remodeling the courthouse (which included emptying the building and moving staff to other facilities), dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - one of the most uncertain times in modern history - and a plethora of other challenging and rewarding situations.

Homman will retire Dec. 17 after 38 years as a full-time employee, but he’s been with the county 40 years if you count the first couple when he worked part-time.

“Thinking back on when I first came to work here, I see how far we have evolved since then,” Homman said.

Homman was a reserve officer with the Solomon Police Department when he went to work for the sheriff’s department in 1982 as the weekend dispatcher/jailer.

“I was responsible for the hourly jail checks, booking in prisoners, feeding them, giving them medication, things like that. That’s a really scary situation for a kid who’s 19, 20 years old. Looking back, I’m thinking ‘geez, what a liability’,” he recalled with a laugh.

At the same time, Homman was pursuing a degree in electronics technology at Salina Area Technical College, spurred by his interest in radio and electronic communication. After graduation, he went to work at a radio shop in Salina.

“I cut my teeth in communications working on two-way radios. The shop owner would say ‘I need you to go to Thayer, Garden City, Holton or even Manchester to fix a tower’,” he remembered.

His interest in communications led him to start his own business, Homman Electronics, which he continues to operate in his spare time.

On Jan. 12, 1985, Homman joined the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department full-time. Over the next 20 years, he moved up the ranks from patrol deputy, to undersheriff and even interim sheriff. He worked for five different sheriffs, including Dale Ogran, Kenny Moore, Steve Britt, Carl McDonald and Curt Bennett.

Under McDonald’s watch, Homman started the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, which included Dickinson, Saline and McPherson counties. The cooperation of the other counties was necessary, Homman said, because of the drug trade’s overlap in surrounding areas.

“It became very obvious that every time we’d arrest somebody or they were willing to help as an informant, they were going to Salina or Junction City to get their drugs. I didn’t know anyone at either place and that’s where the case ended. It didn’t solve the problem,” he recalled.

Having out-of-county officers work the cases was effective since the dealers did not know them.

“Everybody in Dickinson County - especially the drug people - knew me so we’d have the Saline and McPherson guys make the undercover buys here and I'd work in their counties."

“We eventually were able to 'cut the head off the snake.' We saw the availability of drugs in Dickinson County drying up and we knew we had made an impact," he said.

Although the job was fascinating and rewarding, the inconsistent work hours – any time on any day – eventually led him to change careers.

“When my wife, Michelle, and I decided to start a family I said I would change careers because I wasn’t going to be an absentee father. This isn’t the lifestyle for a family," he said.

As the end of the 1990s approached, then-Sheriff Curt Bennett asked county commissioners to take over 911 emergency communications from the City of Abilene, which was dispatching for both the city and county. The commission agreed and implemented a 2-mill levy to cover 911 services.

“Bennett approached me about building the 911 center. I had already talked to him about leaving the drug task force because I wanted to be a parent for my kids,” Homman said.

In late 1999, Homman was re-assigned as captain over the newly-created communications division and spent eight to 10 months designing and building the 911 Center in the basement of the courthouse. Soon, his title was changed to Emergency Communications director.

“I had brought over a few employees from city dispatch and hired some new staff and in April 2000 we took over the communication responsibilities for answering 911 calls and dispatching,” he said.

When 911 became the universal emergency phone number in the United States, the system was dependent on landline telephones to locate callers.

However, when cellular phones came out and people started abandoning their land lines it created a big problem for 911 centers because early cell phones could not pinpoint locations.

“We knew the big challenge was going to be locating people on cell phones,” Homman recalled. “If the people calling 911 can’t talk or don’t know where they’re at, the benefit of calling 911 goes out the window.”

As technology evolved into Phase 1 and later into Phase 2, cell phones were able to send GPS coordinates into the data stream allowing the tower system to triangulate the caller's location. However, that technology was expensive.

"Congress had passed a law telling cell phone providers that if a government agency provides a formal request for Phase 2 technology it has to be provided, but there was no provision in the law about who pays for that," Homman said.

"The technology was there but a lot of cellular providers drug their feet and didn’t want to put in the extra cost,” Homman explained. “There was real fear on our part, as a government agency, that if I put that request into Verizon, Sprint or AT&amp;T they’re going to come in and bill us for that service and what if I can’t afford it?”

But as things often do, a situation occurred locally that caused Homman to make that request.

He had received a call from a woman who wanted 911 dispatch to be aware her elderly father was living alone north of Chapman. His family had purchased a cell phone for him that dialed 911 by pushing one button. Unfortunately, those phones did not display the caller's phone number, but a phantom number.

Some months later, Dickinson County Dispatch got a call from Geary County Dispatch that its emergency center was getting 911 calls from an unknown number, and from the towers it was coming through, they knew it was located somewhere on the west side of their county or in Dickinson County.

“The person was mumbling, ‘help me, help me;' they had gotten 10 or 12 of these calls and the signal would fade and cut out. They had deputies driving around looking for something and wondered if Dickinson County had any addresses that sounded something like what they thought the person was saying. This guy was in dire straits and getting worse.”

One of the local dispatchers told Homman they were trying to track down the phone and with the bits of information gleaned from the brief call, he pieced together that the call might be coming from the man his daughter had called about several months ago.

“I told Sherry Massey, who was my assistant director, to look at the location alerts and get that guy's address. She came up with a name and we sent our deputies who had also been out looking. We had an ambulance out there waiting too and dispatched them to that house. We got there just in time. The responding paramedics later told me if it had been another five minutes he would have been gone,” Homman remembered.

“I got really pissed off that morning and I typed out the very first request letter to AT&amp;T asking that Phase 2 technology be delivered to us. I told commissioners I didn’t care what it costs because we are not going through that again. I said, 'if it costs, we’re just going to have to bite the bullet. Otherwise people are going to die',” he recalled.

Soon after, Phase 2 technology was installed in Dickinson County - and surprisingly - at no cost.

“We were the first agency in Kansas that took the risk to do it. Once we did it, everybody else across the state did too,” Homman said. “That was one of the most remarkable things to happen in my career.”

In early 2006, then-commissioners Joe Nold and Sheila Biggs asked Homman if he would be interested in becoming county administrator. The county previously had an administrator for a short time in the 1980s, but after that person was gone the position had never been filled.

"I was surprised," Homman recalled. "I remember Joe making the comment, ‘if we come in and sit here three or four hours one day a week and think we’re running things we’re kidding ourselves. We need some organization. This isn’t a business, but we need to run it like a business.'

“It was a big decision, but I decided to jump on over,” Homman said.

Initially, his title was director of administration and emergency services, but that soon changed to county administrator.

Over the 16 years, Homman has served as county administrator, he has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to getting things done.

“One of the best things we did was when we took over EMS from Memorial Hospital. The hospital was going to expand and needed to get EMS out of their garage area,” Homman said. “We built the addition onto the health department, took over responsibility for EMS and created a professional department to be proud of - one that saves lives."

That was the first of many building projects, which has included an EMS building in Herington to serve the southern end of the county, the environmental services building at the Transfer Station, the PPE (personal protective equipment) building, constructed during the pandemic and an addition at Sterl Hall,” he added.

Perhaps the most adrenalin-driven time of his career was serving as the spokesperson for the City of Chapman after an EF-3 tornado roared through town on June 11, 2008. He took on that role because city officials and council members had either lost their own homes or were busy working to save lives and responding.

When another tornado came through the rural areas in the northern part of the county on May 25, 2016, the county paired with the National Resource Conservation Service to clean up tree debris that would have damaged bridges and impacted streams.

The biggest project of his career was the recently completed jail addition and courthouse renovation, completed earlier this year.

Not surprisingly, the most challenging time was during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The frustration came from the lack of knowing what to do and then doing what we thought was right and the criticism that came with it. COVID was new to everybody and we didn’t have the historical time and experience to know what the right move was. Everybody worldwide was shooting from the hip.

“There was the fear of the virus and the fear of what was to come, while doing our best to protect the public, students, our staffs, health care workers and then dealing with the level of personal criticism and personal attacks,” Homman said.

“I know in my heart we did everything the best we could to prevent people from getting sick, and for those who did, that was beyond our control," he continued. "I don’t know that I’d do anything different looking back.”

Even as he prepares to leave, Homman has been busy doing the groundwork for a new 800 MHz radio project that will let local law enforcement, fire and EMS communicate better and with other agencies outside the county.

Dickinson County is at a disadvantage when first responders need to communicate with outside agencies. For example, whenever sheriff's officers need to talk to Kansas Highway Patrol officers during high speed chases.

“Our current system has served us well, but now it's outdated and needs replaced. We’ve put it off (moving to the 800 system) as long as we can. Now, our surrounding counties have switched to it and we can’t communicate with them," Homman said. "I hope to be able to help out the county with this when I leave."

Earlier this year, the county's 911 Advisory Board asked commissioners to consider asking voters to consider a one-fourth cent sales tax for public safety, with monies going toward transitioning all of the county's emergency responders to the State of Kansas' 800 MHz system. Commissioners are expected to act on the request in early 2023, possibly putting the question on a mail-in ballot.

One thing Homman says he won't miss about the county administrator job is the stress.

"I always felt I didn't let stress bother me, but my wife says I do," he said with a chuckle. "We may travel a bit since it's just Michelle and I now. It will be nice to be able to pick up and say 'let's go'."

However, don't expect Homman to ride off into the sunset permanently. He plans to continue operating Homman Electronics, which nowadays is less about radios and more about security systems.

"Everybody that used to rely on two-way radios pretty much just uses cell phones, although there's still a few that have radios, but the big thing now is security cameras and alarm systems because of the state of our society," Homman said. "I'll continue doing that as long as I can."

For the time being, he also still plans on serving on the Solomon USD 393 Board of Education.

"I think it's helped me tremendously as a person to be on the school board and see what it's like on the elected side of things. By overseeing an organization you get to see first hand what it's like as an elected official and some of the pressures that go with that," Homman explained.

"I've tried to think what it's like for the commissioners."

Homman said he is leaving with a good conscience.

"I think I'm leaving things in good shape for the commissioners and Janelle (Dockendorf, incoming county administrator). We're not in debt, the budget's not in trouble and I don't believe I'm leaving any big problems," he said.

"I told staff I wanted to get the jail and renovation project done. I wasn't about to leave in the middle of that. Otherwise, I probably would have left a couple years ago."

Working for the county has been a fulfilling experience, he said.

"I couldn't be more appreciative of the county commissioners and how they've supported me and the county staff. I don't know that there's anything I ever asked for that they haven't approved or given. However, I also didn't ever ask for anything that wasn't needed and researched," he added with a laugh.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670466583085.png" alt="Dickinson County Administrator Brad Homman looks through some project files as he prepares to retire on Dec. 17, after nearly 40 years with the county. Photo by Kathy Hageman" />
 <figcaption>Dickinson County Administrator Brad Homman looks through some project files as he prepares to retire on Dec. 17, after nearly 40 years with the county. Photo by Kathy Hageman</figcaption>
 </figure>By KATHY HAGEMAN For Dickinson CountyBrad Homman could write a book about all the things he's seen or done during his nearly four decades with Dickinson County.As a member of the sheriff's department, he worked accidents, investigated crimes - and while undercover - purchased drugs and busted dealers.As the head of 911 Dispatch, he built and staffed the county's emergency communications center and was onboard as cellular technology was changing faster than government entities could afford to purchase it.And during the last 16 years as Dickinson County administrator, he has been at the helm through the good and the bad: Two tornadoes (in 2008 and 2016) and recovery efforts, building a new jail and remodeling the courthouse (which included emptying the building and moving staff to other facilities), dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - one of the most uncertain times in modern history - and a plethora of other challenging and rewarding situations.Homman will retire Dec. 17 after 38 years as a full-time employee, but he’s been with the county 40 years if you count the first couple when he worked part-time.“Thinking back on when I first came to work here, I see how far we have evolved since then,” Homman said.Homman was a reserve officer with the Solomon Police Department when he went to work for the sheriff’s department in 1982 as the weekend dispatcher/jailer.“I was responsible for the hourly jail checks, booking in prisoners, feeding them, giving them medication, things like that. That’s a really scary situation for a kid who’s 19, 20 years old. Looking back, I’m thinking ‘geez, what a liability’,” he recalled with a laugh.At the same time, Homman was pursuing a degree in electronics technology at Salina Area Technical College, spurred by his interest in radio and electronic communication. After graduation, he went to work at a radio shop in Salina.“I cut my teeth in communications working on two-way radios. The shop owner would say ‘I need you to go to Thayer, Garden City, Holton or even Manchester to fix a tower’,” he remembered.His interest in communications led him to start his own business, Homman Electronics, which he continues to operate in his spare time.On Jan. 12, 1985, Homman joined the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department full-time. Over the next 20 years, he moved up the ranks from patrol deputy, to undersheriff and even interim sheriff. He worked for five different sheriffs, including Dale Ogran, Kenny Moore, Steve Britt, Carl McDonald and Curt Bennett.Under McDonald’s watch, Homman started the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, which included Dickinson, Saline and McPherson counties. The cooperation of the other counties was necessary, Homman said, because of the drug trade’s overlap in surrounding areas.“It became very obvious that every time we’d arrest somebody or they were willing to help as an informant, they were going to Salina or Junction City to get their drugs. I didn’t know anyone at either place and that’s where the case ended. It didn’t solve the problem,” he recalled.Having out-of-county officers work the cases was effective since the dealers did not know them.“Everybody in Dickinson County - especially the drug people - knew me so we’d have the Saline and McPherson guys make the undercover buys here and I'd work in their counties."“We eventually were able to 'cut the head off the snake.' We saw the availability of drugs in Dickinson County drying up and we knew we had made an impact," he said.Although the job was fascinating and rewarding, the inconsistent work hours – any time on any day – eventually led him to change careers.“When my wife, Michelle, and I decided to start a family I said I would change careers because I wasn’t going to be an absentee father. This isn’t the lifestyle for a family," he said.Moving to dispatchAs the end of the 1990s approached, then-Sheriff Curt Bennett asked county commissioners to take over 911 emergency communications from the City of Abilene, which was dispatching for both the city and county. The commission agreed and implemented a 2-mill levy to cover 911 services.“Bennett approached me about building the 911 center. I had already talked to him about leaving the drug task force because I wanted to be a parent for my kids,” Homman said.In late 1999, Homman was re-assigned as captain over the newly-created communications division and spent eight to 10 months designing and building the 911 Center in the basement of the courthouse. Soon, his title was changed to Emergency Communications director.“I had brought over a few employees from city dispatch and hired some new staff and in April 2000 we took over the communication responsibilities for answering 911 calls and dispatching,” he said.Cell phones problematicWhen 911 became the universal emergency phone number in the United States, the system was dependent on landline telephones to locate callers.However, when cellular phones came out and people started abandoning their land lines it created a big problem for 911 centers because early cell phones could not pinpoint locations.“We knew the big challenge was going to be locating people on cell phones,” Homman recalled. “If the people calling 911 can’t talk or don’t know where they’re at, the benefit of calling 911 goes out the window.”As technology evolved into Phase 1 and later into Phase 2, cell phones were able to send GPS coordinates into the data stream allowing the tower system to triangulate the caller's location. However, that technology was expensive."Congress had passed a law telling cell phone providers that if a government agency provides a formal request for Phase 2 technology it has to be provided, but there was no provision in the law about who pays for that," Homman said."The technology was there but a lot of cellular providers drug their feet and didn’t want to put in the extra cost,” Homman explained. “There was real fear on our part, as a government agency, that if I put that request into Verizon, Sprint or AT&amp;T they’re going to come in and bill us for that service and what if I can’t afford it?”But as things often do, a situation occurred locally that caused Homman to make that request.He had received a call from a woman who wanted 911 dispatch to be aware her elderly father was living alone north of Chapman. His family had purchased a cell phone for him that dialed 911 by pushing one button. Unfortunately, those phones did not display the caller's phone number, but a phantom number.Some months later, Dickinson County Dispatch got a call from Geary County Dispatch that its emergency center was getting 911 calls from an unknown number, and from the towers it was coming through, they knew it was located somewhere on the west side of their county or in Dickinson County.“The person was mumbling, ‘help me, help me;' they had gotten 10 or 12 of these calls and the signal would fade and cut out. They had deputies driving around looking for something and wondered if Dickinson County had any addresses that sounded something like what they thought the person was saying. This guy was in dire straits and getting worse.”One of the local dispatchers told Homman they were trying to track down the phone and with the bits of information gleaned from the brief call, he pieced together that the call might be coming from the man his daughter had called about several months ago.“I told Sherry Massey, who was my assistant director, to look at the location alerts and get that guy's address. She came up with a name and we sent our deputies who had also been out looking. We had an ambulance out there waiting too and dispatched them to that house. We got there just in time. The responding paramedics later told me if it had been another five minutes he would have been gone,” Homman remembered.“I got really pissed off that morning and I typed out the very first request letter to AT&amp;T asking that Phase 2 technology be delivered to us. I told commissioners I didn’t care what it costs because we are not going through that again. I said, 'if it costs, we’re just going to have to bite the bullet. Otherwise people are going to die',” he recalled.Soon after, Phase 2 technology was installed in Dickinson County - and surprisingly - at no cost.“We were the first agency in Kansas that took the risk to do it. Once we did it, everybody else across the state did too,” Homman said. “That was one of the most remarkable things to happen in my career.”County administratorIn early 2006, then-commissioners Joe Nold and Sheila Biggs asked Homman if he would be interested in becoming county administrator. The county previously had an administrator for a short time in the 1980s, but after that person was gone the position had never been filled."I was surprised," Homman recalled. "I remember Joe making the comment, ‘if we come in and sit here three or four hours one day a week and think we’re running things we’re kidding ourselves. We need some organization. This isn’t a business, but we need to run it like a business.'“It was a big decision, but I decided to jump on over,” Homman said.Initially, his title was director of administration and emergency services, but that soon changed to county administrator.Over the 16 years, Homman has served as county administrator, he has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to getting things done.“One of the best things we did was when we took over EMS from Memorial Hospital. The hospital was going to expand and needed to get EMS out of their garage area,” Homman said. “We built the addition onto the health department, took over responsibility for EMS and created a professional department to be proud of - one that saves lives."That was the first of many building projects, which has included an EMS building in Herington to serve the southern end of the county, the environmental services building at the Transfer Station, the PPE (personal protective equipment) building, constructed during the pandemic and an addition at Sterl Hall,” he added.Perhaps the most adrenalin-driven time of his career was serving as the spokesperson for the City of Chapman after an EF-3 tornado roared through town on June 11, 2008. He took on that role because city officials and council members had either lost their own homes or were busy working to save lives and responding.When another tornado came through the rural areas in the northern part of the county on May 25, 2016, the county paired with the National Resource Conservation Service to clean up tree debris that would have damaged bridges and impacted streams.The biggest project of his career was the recently completed jail addition and courthouse renovation, completed earlier this year.COVIDNot surprisingly, the most challenging time was during the COVID-19 pandemic.“The frustration came from the lack of knowing what to do and then doing what we thought was right and the criticism that came with it. COVID was new to everybody and we didn’t have the historical time and experience to know what the right move was. Everybody worldwide was shooting from the hip.“There was the fear of the virus and the fear of what was to come, while doing our best to protect the public, students, our staffs, health care workers and then dealing with the level of personal criticism and personal attacks,” Homman said.“I know in my heart we did everything the best we could to prevent people from getting sick, and for those who did, that was beyond our control," he continued. "I don’t know that I’d do anything different looking back.”Radio upgradeEven as he prepares to leave, Homman has been busy doing the groundwork for a new 800 MHz radio project that will let local law enforcement, fire and EMS communicate better and with other agencies outside the county.Dickinson County is at a disadvantage when first responders need to communicate with outside agencies. For example, whenever sheriff's officers need to talk to Kansas Highway Patrol officers during high speed chases.“Our current system has served us well, but now it's outdated and needs replaced. We’ve put it off (moving to the 800 system) as long as we can. Now, our surrounding counties have switched to it and we can’t communicate with them," Homman said. "I hope to be able to help out the county with this when I leave."Earlier this year, the county's 911 Advisory Board asked commissioners to consider asking voters to consider a one-fourth cent sales tax for public safety, with monies going toward transitioning all of the county's emergency responders to the State of Kansas' 800 MHz system. Commissioners are expected to act on the request in early 2023, possibly putting the question on a mail-in ballot.RetirementOne thing Homman says he won't miss about the county administrator job is the stress."I always felt I didn't let stress bother me, but my wife says I do," he said with a chuckle. "We may travel a bit since it's just Michelle and I now. It will be nice to be able to pick up and say 'let's go'."However, don't expect Homman to ride off into the sunset permanently. He plans to continue operating Homman Electronics, which nowadays is less about radios and more about security systems."Everybody that used to rely on two-way radios pretty much just uses cell phones, although there's still a few that have radios, but the big thing now is security cameras and alarm systems because of the state of our society," Homman said. "I'll continue doing that as long as I can."For the time being, he also still plans on serving on the Solomon USD 393 Board of Education."I think it's helped me tremendously as a person to be on the school board and see what it's like on the elected side of things. By overseeing an organization you get to see first hand what it's like as an elected official and some of the pressures that go with that," Homman explained."I've tried to think what it's like for the commissioners."Homman said he is leaving with a good conscience."I think I'm leaving things in good shape for the commissioners and Janelle (Dockendorf, incoming county administrator). We're not in debt, the budget's not in trouble and I don't believe I'm leaving any big problems," he said."I told staff I wanted to get the jail and renovation project done. I wasn't about to leave in the middle of that. Otherwise, I probably would have left a couple years ago."Working for the county has been a fulfilling experience, he said."I couldn't be more appreciative of the county commissioners and how they've supported me and the county staff. I don't know that there's anything I ever asked for that they haven't approved or given. However, I also didn't ever ask for anything that wasn't needed and researched," he added with a laugh.

Brad Homman: Three careers, one employer

On Monday,&nbsp;

 Training Sergeant Tim Brown swore in three new officers for the Salina Police Department. 

 In the group photo, from L to R, are Officer Thornton, Officer C. Coletti, Sergeant Brown, and Officer Leonard. 

 Officer Courtney Thornton is from Minneapolis, Kan., where her father is the Ottawa County Sheriff. 

  Officer Crystal Coletti is originally from California, moved to New York, then moved to Salina approximately three years ago with her husband, Marc, who is also a police officer for the City of Salina. 

 Officer John Leonard is from Miami and a U.S. Army Veteran. 

 These officers will attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, and on graduation, enter our Department's Field Training Program.



Salina Police DepartmentOn Monday,&nbsp;

 Training Sergeant Tim Brown swore in three new officers for the Salina Police Department. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670463146433.jpeg" alt="Photos courtesy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinaKSPD">Salina Police Department Facebook page</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinaKSPD">Salina Police Department Facebook page</a></figcaption>
 </figure> In the group photo, from L to R, are Officer Thornton, Officer C. Coletti, Sergeant Brown, and Officer Leonard. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670463265009.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Officer Courtney Thornton is from Minneapolis, Kan., where her father is the Ottawa County Sheriff. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670463318460.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Officer Crystal Coletti is originally from California, moved to New York, then moved to Salina approximately three years ago with her husband, Marc, who is also a police officer for the City of Salina. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670463414719.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Officer John Leonard is from Miami and a U.S. Army Veteran. These officers will attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, and on graduation, enter our Department's Field Training Program.

Salina Police Department gains three new officers

DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a California man who allegedly stole a vehicle in Colorado.

Just after 12:30a.m. Monday,&nbsp;the Salina Police Department notified the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department of a stolen black Mercedes GL Coupe traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at approximately 150mph, according to Undersheriff Jeff Vaughan

 The Mercedes, valued at approximately $70,800, had been reported stolen due to it being fraudulently purchased by a subject with false identification in Colorado.

A Dickinson County deputy located the vehicle unoccupied in the area of W. Seventh Street and Maple Street in Solomon. The deputy obtained a description of the suspect later identified as 43-year-old&nbsp;Matthew Walden Olson, 43, of San Francisco.

An unmanned aircraft system was deployed and a Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department K9 officer responded to assist in the search for Olson. The sheriff’s K9 located him hiding under the bridge near W. Fifth Street and Maple Street in Solomon.

The suspect was taken into custody and provided a false name to the deputies who eventually confirmed his identity as Olson. He is being held in&nbsp;the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of theft of the vehicle, interference with law enforcement, identity theft, and drug possession.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670442758981.png" alt="Matthew Olson. Photo courtesy Dickinson County Sheriff's Department" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Olson. Photo courtesy Dickinson County Sheriff's Department</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a California man who allegedly stole a vehicle in Colorado.Just after 12:30a.m. Monday,&nbsp;the Salina Police Department notified the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department of a stolen black Mercedes GL Coupe traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at approximately 150mph, according to Undersheriff Jeff Vaughan The Mercedes, valued at approximately $70,800, had been reported stolen due to it being fraudulently purchased by a subject with false identification in Colorado.A Dickinson County deputy located the vehicle unoccupied in the area of W. Seventh Street and Maple Street in Solomon. The deputy obtained a description of the suspect later identified as 43-year-old&nbsp;Matthew Walden Olson, 43, of San Francisco.An unmanned aircraft system was deployed and a Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department K9 officer responded to assist in the search for Olson. The sheriff’s K9 located him hiding under the bridge near W. Fifth Street and Maple Street in Solomon.The suspect was taken into custody and provided a false name to the deputies who eventually confirmed his identity as Olson. He is being held in&nbsp;the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of theft of the vehicle, interference with law enforcement, identity theft, and drug possession.

Sheriff: Car theft suspect caught hiding under bridge in Solomon

A rock band that has tapped into a formula for continued success is coming to Salina in February.

Night Ranger is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $69 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at <a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org">stiefeltheatre.org</a> or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About the band courtesy the Stiefel Theatre

Having sold more than 17 million albums worldwide, performed across more than 4000 stages, and captivated a radio audience that exceeds 1 billion, Night Ranger has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. The band continues to grow its ever-evolving fan base and is proof that powerful songs alongside incredibly talented musicians is the perfect formula for continued success. 

Night Ranger is made up of Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).

Night Ranger has earned widespread recognition that includes both multi-platinum and gold album status all while leaving their indelible mark on the music industry with a long list of best-selling albums (Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, 7 Wishes, Big Life, and Man In Motion). Their popularity is fueled by an impressive number of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks, including legendary titles such as Sister Christian,&nbsp;Don't Tell Me You Love Me, When You Close Your Eyes, the anthemic (You Can Still) Rock In America, along with Sentimental Street, Goodbye, Sing Me Away, and Four in the Morning.

Over the years, the band's music has made notable contributions to and been featured in many different areas of global media and pop culture. Night Ranger was one of the first big "video" bands on MTV, with more than 10 No. 1 hit videos. Their songs can be heard in TV Shows like The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, American Dad, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Parks &amp; Recreation. The band has also had music featured in video games such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Grand Theft Auto, plus hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages, the Oscar-nominated film Boogie Nights, and other feature films such as Friday the 13th, Teachers, Sixteen Candles, and The Secret of My Success. Most recently the band’s classic hit Sister Christian can be heard in a Dr. Pepper commercial. They can also be heard throughout JBL’s Hear The Truth brand campaign.

Heavy-hitting rock legends, Night Ranger released their 12th studio album, ATBPO (which stands for And The Band Played On), an ode to making music during the COVID era, on Aug. 6, 2021, via Frontiers Music Srl. The album is available on CD, Color Vinyl (a variety of limited edition versions), and digital. The band began writing the album in early 2020, amid the rise of the global pandemic. After narrowing down the song selection and tightening them up to their well-known rock ‘n roll sound, the band hit the studio, although separately, due to the times we are in. Throughout ATBPO we hear Night Ranger continuing their hot streak that kicked off with 2011's Somewhere In California. Ten years on, and two highly acclaimed albums later, High Road and Don't Let Up, the band's latest studio work shows them still burning with that high-octane hard rock energy. Night Ranger has always had a knack for killer melodies, intricate instrumentation, and captivating lyrics; ATBPO delivers all of that and more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670376500334.jpeg" alt="Night Ranger is coming to the Stiefel Theatre in February. Photo courtesy the Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Night Ranger is coming to the Stiefel Theatre in February. Photo courtesy the Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA rock band that has tapped into a formula for continued success is coming to Salina in February.Night Ranger is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $69 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at <a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org">stiefeltheatre.org</a> or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About the band courtesy the Stiefel TheatreHaving sold more than 17 million albums worldwide, performed across more than 4000 stages, and captivated a radio audience that exceeds 1 billion, Night Ranger has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. The band continues to grow its ever-evolving fan base and is proof that powerful songs alongside incredibly talented musicians is the perfect formula for continued success. Night Ranger is made up of Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead and rhythm guitars).Night Ranger has earned widespread recognition that includes both multi-platinum and gold album status all while leaving their indelible mark on the music industry with a long list of best-selling albums (Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, 7 Wishes, Big Life, and Man In Motion). Their popularity is fueled by an impressive number of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks, including legendary titles such as Sister Christian,&nbsp;Don't Tell Me You Love Me, When You Close Your Eyes, the anthemic (You Can Still) Rock In America, along with Sentimental Street, Goodbye, Sing Me Away, and Four in the Morning. Over the years, the band's music has made notable contributions to and been featured in many different areas of global media and pop culture. Night Ranger was one of the first big "video" bands on MTV, with more than 10 No. 1 hit videos. Their songs can be heard in TV Shows like The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, American Dad, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Parks &amp; Recreation. The band has also had music featured in video games such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Grand Theft Auto, plus hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages, the Oscar-nominated film Boogie Nights, and other feature films such as Friday the 13th, Teachers, Sixteen Candles, and The Secret of My Success. Most recently the band’s classic hit Sister Christian can be heard in a Dr. Pepper commercial. They can also be heard throughout JBL’s Hear The Truth brand campaign. Heavy-hitting rock legends, Night Ranger released their 12th studio album, ATBPO (which stands for And The Band Played On), an ode to making music during the COVID era, on Aug. 6, 2021, via Frontiers Music Srl. The album is available on CD, Color Vinyl (a variety of limited edition versions), and digital. The band began writing the album in early 2020, amid the rise of the global pandemic. After narrowing down the song selection and tightening them up to their well-known rock ‘n roll sound, the band hit the studio, although separately, due to the times we are in. Throughout ATBPO we hear Night Ranger continuing their hot streak that kicked off with 2011's Somewhere In California. Ten years on, and two highly acclaimed albums later, High Road and Don't Let Up, the band's latest studio work shows them still burning with that high-octane hard rock energy. Night Ranger has always had a knack for killer melodies, intricate instrumentation, and captivating lyrics; ATBPO delivers all of that and more.

Night Ranger to perform in Salina; tickets on sale Friday

After a two-year absence due to COVID-19, Hospice of Salina will be hosting its annual A Night of Remembrance that is open to all community members who are grieving the loss of a loved one during this holiday season. 

A Night of Remembrance will be Dec. 13, at Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane, starting with fellowship and light refreshments 5:30 p.m. The remembrance ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.

Community members can visit with the Hospice of Salina Chaplain Mary Bridges along with other Hospice of Salina staff members. The ceremony will be a time of reflection, remembrance and hope for those who are feeling the loss of a loved one. 

“During the ceremony we will use the words of Advent to focus our thoughts, as we light candles, on Love, Peace, Joy and Hope,” said Bridges.&nbsp;“Those attending will receive a Blue Snowflake as a remembrance keepsake.”

Special remembrance ornaments are also for sale at&nbsp;<a href="https://hospiceofsalina.org/hospice-happenings/" target="_blank">https://hospiceofsalina.org/hospice-happenings/</a>.

The remembrance ornaments are made from hand-blown glass with 22k gold and are personalized with a loved one’s name, date of birth, and date of passing.

Salina Regional Health CenterAfter a two-year absence due to COVID-19, Hospice of Salina will be hosting its annual A Night of Remembrance that is open to all community members who are grieving the loss of a loved one during this holiday season. A Night of Remembrance will be Dec. 13, at Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane, starting with fellowship and light refreshments 5:30 p.m. The remembrance ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.Community members can visit with the Hospice of Salina Chaplain Mary Bridges along with other Hospice of Salina staff members. The ceremony will be a time of reflection, remembrance and hope for those who are feeling the loss of a loved one. “During the ceremony we will use the words of Advent to focus our thoughts, as we light candles, on Love, Peace, Joy and Hope,” said Bridges.&nbsp;“Those attending will receive a Blue Snowflake as a remembrance keepsake.”Special remembrance ornaments are also for sale at&nbsp;<a href="https://hospiceofsalina.org/hospice-happenings/" target="_blank">https://hospiceofsalina.org/hospice-happenings/</a>.The remembrance ornaments are made from hand-blown glass with 22k gold and are personalized with a loved one’s name, date of birth, and date of passing.

Hospice of Salina hosting A Night of Remembrance

By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573617414005.jpeg" alt="Kim Baldwin. Photo courtesy Kansas Farm Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Kim Baldwin. Photo courtesy Kansas Farm Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancherThe rush is on as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season ramps up! It seems like there’s never enough hours in the days, or days in the weeks leading up to Christmas. &nbsp; As a parent, small business owner, community member and farmer, there’s just a lot to accomplish immediately after washing the dishes from our Thanksgiving meal. &nbsp; As a parent, keeping track of the Christmas parties and holiday-themed school days for my two young children requires organization and focus.&nbsp; &nbsp; Throughout the year, I keep track of the "normal" school things needed to be done like the minutes we read nightly, the weekly spelling words needing attention at home, and making sure the kids have their library books read and ready to return on their assigned library days.&nbsp; &nbsp; But this month I’m hyper alert to knowing when “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day”&nbsp;is compared to when “Santa’s Ho-Ho-Hoedown Day”&nbsp;is to ensure my kids participate in at least some of their school’s countdown to Christmas Break spirit days – 15 themed spirit days in all.&nbsp; &nbsp; One of my greatest fears this month has become the thought of sending the kids to school wearing their pajamas for “Dream a Little Dream Day”&nbsp;when they should be wearing a scarf for “Deck Your Neck Day” or forgetting to dig out Hawaiian shirts for “Christmas Vacation Day”.&nbsp; &nbsp; I’ve concluded that if there are prizes for most spirited this month at school, the Baldwin kids probably won’t make the cut. I’ll consider it a win if I remember to send lunch money on the day the school serves their Christmas ham meal later this month! &nbsp; On the farm, there’s a list of things we try to get done every December. Currently, that list has us trying to get fields fertilized before any potential snow falls. This responsibility mainly falls on my husband as I dedicate my days fulfilling holiday orders and making multiple trips to the post office for our small business.&nbsp; &nbsp; There are parties and practices and community events and performances and games and top-secret shopping trips also on my December calendar. &nbsp; My December started out with an incredibly busy day, which transitioned into an equally busy evening consisting of shuttling kids from school to basketball practice and then home for showers and food, only to drive them back to town to practice their church Christmas program. I was able to briefly catch my breath after handing the kids off to my husband before making my way to choir practice.&nbsp; &nbsp; Getting home shortly before 9 that night, I collapsed on the couch ready to unwind from a busy, busy day. However, I got a phone call from my father-in-law instead.&nbsp; &nbsp; It turned out my day was not done just yet. Instead, I put on my coveralls and headed out to the barn to watch over a ewe who had just lambed.&nbsp; &nbsp; Peeking into the lambing pen that was now occupied by the ewe with her tiny, wet lamb with wobbly legs brought me a calm I had not experienced that day.&nbsp; &nbsp; Under a clear, dark December sky with stars shining bright above us, a new mother with her newborn lying in a bed of straw reminded me of the true spirit of this season. And all was calm. &nbsp; May you have at least one moment this month which causes you to pause amongst the holiday hustle and bustle in order to experience the true spirit of the season."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.&nbsp;Copyright © 2022 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

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