The command that teachers post their class content online is unprofessional.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

I apologized to my students as they settled into their seats. It was March 14, 2011, and the Fukushima offshore earthquake had struck the Sunday before. But it took until Monday night for the damage to occur with the backup power units at their nuclear plant and begin the disaster. So when my students took their seats, my apology was for their having read the regular lesson assigned in the syllabus. Instead we would be learning about how nuclear radiation damages the body. It was biology—unplanned biology.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

From that moment, every eye was intently focused on the topic. The first few minutes was footage drawn from the broadcast news, showing massive tidal waves coming into the port and rapidly overflowing the floodwall and washing down the coastal city streets.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

It also shut down the power backup units that kept the nuclear plant cool. The remainder of the class was a straightforward explanation of alpha, beta and gamma particles and their variations in penetration. Every student was focused on understanding how isotopes varied and differences in half-life of iodine131 (8 days), cesium137 (30+ years) and strontium90 (28.8 years). They saw the differences between old reactors such as the open Chernobyl facility and today’s modern sealed reactors. They learned the low level of uranium enrichment in reactors and the much higher enrichment required for nuclear bombs.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Most important was their realization that we receive low levels of radiation every day from our natural environment and that our cells have a natural process that repairs the DNA damage from this normal radiation.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

This was knowledge that students took with them from the classroom and shared later in the day with classmates and family, all of whom were watching this event unfold on television each night. They shared their new understanding with others. And that also reinforced these lessons in their minds. I always give a quiz at the end of the next day’s class—they all scored perfect!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

In teaching, we call this “seizing the moment.” Indeed, it would be unprofessional to stick to a regular textbook topic when your students’ minds are all elsewhere. That occurs when we were caught up in the 9/11 attack or other events where the high emotions of the day focus our attention elsewhere.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

But uniqueness also involves different collections of students taking the same classes. While teaching the “same” high school introductory biology at Hong Kong International School to five classes throughout the day, the syllabus again was the same. My classes started out the same. But these classes became different because each set of students brought different experiences with them. As I explained one concept, I could read students’ eyes and see that some understood and some did not. That is when you stop briefly and ask the one who understands to explain an example in his or her own words.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

That student re-explanation usually relates to the classmate who didn’t understand, and that face lights up. And then questions arise from their different sets of experiences. We pursue a discussion of other related examples, or how the concept was discovered, or how it affects everyday life. We eventually get back on track. Yes, my five biology classes were the same on paper. But I taught five different classes because of the five different mixes of student experiences in each class.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

When I taught in rural Kentucky, I used farm experiences to describe many concepts. But those descriptions did not work when I taught in Terre Haute where few if any students cared for and understood farm animals. The syllabus or lesson topics were the same. The teaching must be different.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

This brief description illustrates how teaching is a profession. And only the teacher makes these professional decisions. Just as a patient or hospital administrator does not tell the surgeon how to operate, parents and school administrators have no business telling the professional teacher how to teach. We are obligated to stay within our academic field. And our academic profession has a body of professional knowledge. There is no “flat earth” in geology classes. And 2 + 2 does not equal 5 in math class.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Standardized education has harmed American students ever since 2001 when one-size-fits-all state assessments were imposed. Memorization scores went up. Scores on aptitude and creativity nose-dived.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

We must let professional teachers teach unique students in unique ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities during 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573490075841.jpeg" alt="John Richard Schrock" />
 <figcaption>John Richard Schrock</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN RICHARD SCHROCKThe command that teachers post their class content online is unprofessional.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;I apologized to my students as they settled into their seats. It was March 14, 2011, and the Fukushima offshore earthquake had struck the Sunday before. But it took until Monday night for the damage to occur with the backup power units at their nuclear plant and begin the disaster. So when my students took their seats, my apology was for their having read the regular lesson assigned in the syllabus. Instead we would be learning about how nuclear radiation damages the body. It was biology—unplanned biology.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;From that moment, every eye was intently focused on the topic. The first few minutes was footage drawn from the broadcast news, showing massive tidal waves coming into the port and rapidly overflowing the floodwall and washing down the coastal city streets.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;It also shut down the power backup units that kept the nuclear plant cool. The remainder of the class was a straightforward explanation of alpha, beta and gamma particles and their variations in penetration. Every student was focused on understanding how isotopes varied and differences in half-life of iodine131 (8 days), cesium137 (30+ years) and strontium90 (28.8 years). They saw the differences between old reactors such as the open Chernobyl facility and today’s modern sealed reactors. They learned the low level of uranium enrichment in reactors and the much higher enrichment required for nuclear bombs.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Most important was their realization that we receive low levels of radiation every day from our natural environment and that our cells have a natural process that repairs the DNA damage from this normal radiation.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;This was knowledge that students took with them from the classroom and shared later in the day with classmates and family, all of whom were watching this event unfold on television each night. They shared their new understanding with others. And that also reinforced these lessons in their minds. I always give a quiz at the end of the next day’s class—they all scored perfect!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;In teaching, we call this “seizing the moment.” Indeed, it would be unprofessional to stick to a regular textbook topic when your students’ minds are all elsewhere. That occurs when we were caught up in the 9/11 attack or other events where the high emotions of the day focus our attention elsewhere.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;But uniqueness also involves different collections of students taking the same classes. While teaching the “same” high school introductory biology at Hong Kong International School to five classes throughout the day, the syllabus again was the same. My classes started out the same. But these classes became different because each set of students brought different experiences with them. As I explained one concept, I could read students’ eyes and see that some understood and some did not. That is when you stop briefly and ask the one who understands to explain an example in his or her own words.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;That student re-explanation usually relates to the classmate who didn’t understand, and that face lights up. And then questions arise from their different sets of experiences. We pursue a discussion of other related examples, or how the concept was discovered, or how it affects everyday life. We eventually get back on track. Yes, my five biology classes were the same on paper. But I taught five different classes because of the five different mixes of student experiences in each class.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;When I taught in rural Kentucky, I used farm experiences to describe many concepts. But those descriptions did not work when I taught in Terre Haute where few if any students cared for and understood farm animals. The syllabus or lesson topics were the same. The teaching must be different.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;This brief description illustrates how teaching is a profession. And only the teacher makes these professional decisions. Just as a patient or hospital administrator does not tell the surgeon how to operate, parents and school administrators have no business telling the professional teacher how to teach. We are obligated to stay within our academic field. And our academic profession has a body of professional knowledge. There is no “flat earth” in geology classes. And 2 + 2 does not equal 5 in math class.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Standardized education has harmed American students ever since 2001 when one-size-fits-all state assessments were imposed. Memorization scores went up. Scores on aptitude and creativity nose-dived.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;We must let professional teachers teach unique students in unique ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities during 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

EDUCATION FRONTLINES: Unique students, unique classes

Today is Monday, April 4, the 94th day of 2022. There are 271 days left in the year.

On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., 39, was shot and killed while standing on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee; his slaying was followed by a wave of rioting (Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Chicago were among cities particularly hard hit). James Earl Ray later pleaded guilty to assassinating King, then spent the rest of his life claiming he'd been the victim of a setup.

In 1841, President William Henry Harrison succumbed to pneumonia one month after his inaugural, becoming the first U.S. chief executive to die in office.

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by his son Tad, visited the vanquished Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, where he was greeted by a crowd that included former slaves.

In 1917, the U.S. Senate voted 82-6 in favor of declaring war against Germany (the House followed suit two days later by a vote of 373-50).

In 1945, during World War II, U.S. forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp Ohrdruf in Germany. Hungary was liberated as Soviet forces cleared out remaining German troops.

In 1949, 12 nations, including the United States, signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C.

In 1973, the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center were officially dedicated. (The towers were destroyed in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.)

In 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves tied Babe Ruth's home-run record by hitting his 714th round-tripper in Cincinnati.

In 1975, more than 130 people, most of them children, were killed when a U.S. Air Force transport plane evacuating Vietnamese orphans crash-landed shortly after takeoff from Saigon. Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger roared into orbit on its maiden voyage. (It was destroyed in the disaster of January 1986.)

In 1991, Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., and six other people, including two children, were killed when a helicopter collided with Heinz's plane over a schoolyard in Merion, Pennsylvania.

In 2011, yielding to political opposition, the Obama administration gave up on trying avowed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four alleged co-conspirators in civilian federal courts and said it would prosecute them instead before military commissions.

In 2015, in North Charleston, South Carolina, Walter Scott, a 50-year-old Black motorist, was shot to death while running away from a traffic stop; Officer Michael Thomas Slager, seen in a cellphone video opening fire at Scott, was charged with murder. (The charge, which lingered after a first state trial ended in a mistrial, was dropped as part of a deal under which Slager pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation; he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.)

Ten years ago: A federal judge sentenced five former New Orleans police officers to prison for the deadly Danziger Bridge shootings in the chaotic days following Hurricane Katrina. (The verdicts in the case were later set aside by the judge, who cited prosecutorial misconduct; the officers pleaded guilty in 2016 to reduced charges.)

Five years ago: A chemical attack on an opposition-held town in northern Syria left about 100 people dead; a joint investigation team made up of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and U.N. experts concluded that the Syrian government was responsible. A federal appeals court ruled for the first time that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protected LGBT employees from workplace discrimination; the case involved an Indiana teacher who charged that she wasn't hired full-time because she was a lesbian.

One year ago: On a second Easter Sunday marked by pandemic restrictions, Christianity's most joyous feast day was celebrated worldwide with the faithful far apart in pews, and singing choruses of "Hallelujah" through face coverings. Pope Francis, in his traditional Easter Sunday address, denounced as "scandalous" how armed conflicts continued to rage even as the coronavirus pandemic triggered severe social and economic suffering and swelled the ranks of the poor. Stanford beat Arizona 54-53 to become NCAA women's basketball champions.

Today's Birthdays: Recording executive Clive Davis is 90. Author Kitty Kelley is 80. Actor Craig T. Nelson is 78. Actor Walter Charles is 77. Actor Christine Lahti is 72. Country singer Steve Gatlin (The Gatlin Brothers) is 71. Actor Mary-Margaret Humes is 68. Writer-producer David E. Kelley is 66. Actor Constance Shulman is 64. Actor Phil Morris is 63. Actor Lorraine Toussaint is 62. Actor Hugo Weaving is 62. Rock musician Craig Adams (The Cult) is 60. Talk show host/comic Graham Norton is 59. Actor David Cross is 58. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is 57. Actor Nancy McKeon is 56. Actor Barry Pepper is 52. Country singer Clay Davidson is 51. Rock singer Josh Todd (Buckcherry) is 51. Singer Jill Scott is 50. Rock musician Magnus Sveningsson (The Cardigans) is 50. Magician David Blaine is 49. Singer Kelly Price is 49. R&amp;B singer Andre Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 48. Country musician Josh McSwain (Parmalee) is 47. Actor James Roday is 46. Actor Natasha Lyonne is 43. Actor Eric Andre is 39. Actor Amanda Righetti is 39. Actor-singer Jamie Lynn Spears is 31. Actor Daniela Bobadilla is 29. Pop singer Austin Mahone is 26. Actor Aliyah Royale is 22.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Monday, April 4, the 94th day of 2022. There are 271 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., 39, was shot and killed while standing on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee; his slaying was followed by a wave of rioting (Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Chicago were among cities particularly hard hit). James Earl Ray later pleaded guilty to assassinating King, then spent the rest of his life claiming he'd been the victim of a setup.On this date:In 1841, President William Henry Harrison succumbed to pneumonia one month after his inaugural, becoming the first U.S. chief executive to die in office.In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by his son Tad, visited the vanquished Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, where he was greeted by a crowd that included former slaves.In 1917, the U.S. Senate voted 82-6 in favor of declaring war against Germany (the House followed suit two days later by a vote of 373-50).In 1945, during World War II, U.S. forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp Ohrdruf in Germany. Hungary was liberated as Soviet forces cleared out remaining German troops.In 1949, 12 nations, including the United States, signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C.In 1973, the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center were officially dedicated. (The towers were destroyed in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.)In 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves tied Babe Ruth's home-run record by hitting his 714th round-tripper in Cincinnati.In 1975, more than 130 people, most of them children, were killed when a U.S. Air Force transport plane evacuating Vietnamese orphans crash-landed shortly after takeoff from Saigon. Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico.In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger roared into orbit on its maiden voyage. (It was destroyed in the disaster of January 1986.)In 1991, Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., and six other people, including two children, were killed when a helicopter collided with Heinz's plane over a schoolyard in Merion, Pennsylvania.In 2011, yielding to political opposition, the Obama administration gave up on trying avowed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four alleged co-conspirators in civilian federal courts and said it would prosecute them instead before military commissions.In 2015, in North Charleston, South Carolina, Walter Scott, a 50-year-old Black motorist, was shot to death while running away from a traffic stop; Officer Michael Thomas Slager, seen in a cellphone video opening fire at Scott, was charged with murder. (The charge, which lingered after a first state trial ended in a mistrial, was dropped as part of a deal under which Slager pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation; he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.)Ten years ago: A federal judge sentenced five former New Orleans police officers to prison for the deadly Danziger Bridge shootings in the chaotic days following Hurricane Katrina. (The verdicts in the case were later set aside by the judge, who cited prosecutorial misconduct; the officers pleaded guilty in 2016 to reduced charges.)Five years ago: A chemical attack on an opposition-held town in northern Syria left about 100 people dead; a joint investigation team made up of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and U.N. experts concluded that the Syrian government was responsible. A federal appeals court ruled for the first time that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protected LGBT employees from workplace discrimination; the case involved an Indiana teacher who charged that she wasn't hired full-time because she was a lesbian.One year ago: On a second Easter Sunday marked by pandemic restrictions, Christianity's most joyous feast day was celebrated worldwide with the faithful far apart in pews, and singing choruses of "Hallelujah" through face coverings. Pope Francis, in his traditional Easter Sunday address, denounced as "scandalous" how armed conflicts continued to rage even as the coronavirus pandemic triggered severe social and economic suffering and swelled the ranks of the poor. Stanford beat Arizona 54-53 to become NCAA women's basketball champions.Today's Birthdays: Recording executive Clive Davis is 90. Author Kitty Kelley is 80. Actor Craig T. Nelson is 78. Actor Walter Charles is 77. Actor Christine Lahti is 72. Country singer Steve Gatlin (The Gatlin Brothers) is 71. Actor Mary-Margaret Humes is 68. Writer-producer David E. Kelley is 66. Actor Constance Shulman is 64. Actor Phil Morris is 63. Actor Lorraine Toussaint is 62. Actor Hugo Weaving is 62. Rock musician Craig Adams (The Cult) is 60. Talk show host/comic Graham Norton is 59. Actor David Cross is 58. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is 57. Actor Nancy McKeon is 56. Actor Barry Pepper is 52. Country singer Clay Davidson is 51. Rock singer Josh Todd (Buckcherry) is 51. Singer Jill Scott is 50. Rock musician Magnus Sveningsson (The Cardigans) is 50. Magician David Blaine is 49. Singer Kelly Price is 49. R&amp;B singer Andre Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 48. Country musician Josh McSwain (Parmalee) is 47. Actor James Roday is 46. Actor Natasha Lyonne is 43. Actor Eric Andre is 39. Actor Amanda Righetti is 39. Actor-singer Jamie Lynn Spears is 31. Actor Daniela Bobadilla is 29. Pop singer Austin Mahone is 26. Actor Aliyah Royale is 22.

Today in History - April 4

MITCHELL COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.

According to a social media report from police in Beloit, Mitchell County Communications was notified of an erratic driver traveling westbound on Highway 24 through Beloit.

Soon after, a Beloit Police Officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. 

The vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement and a vehicle pursuit occurred.&nbsp; Officers with the Beloit Police Department and Deputies with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office pursued the vehicle until the it crashed east of Cawker City.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered the driver Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder, was having a medical emergency and was unaware of what was happening. EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.

MITCHELL COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder,&nbsp; westbound on U.S. 24 one mile east of Cawker City with speeds of 80-90 miles per hour.

The driver lost control of the SUV as it crossed left of center and entered the south ditch lined with large drainage rock. 

The Toyota rolled end over end and came to rest on the passenger side facing eastbound.

EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Authorities did not report what prompted the chase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593190532467.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MITCHELL COUNTY —A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.According to a social media report from police in Beloit, Mitchell County Communications was notified of an erratic driver traveling westbound on Highway 24 through Beloit.Soon after, a Beloit Police Officer located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement and a vehicle pursuit occurred.&nbsp; Officers with the Beloit Police Department and Deputies with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office pursued the vehicle until the it crashed east of Cawker City.Upon further investigation, it was discovered the driver Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder, was having a medical emergency and was unaware of what was happening. EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.--------MITCHELL COUNTY—A Kansas man was injured in an accident during high-speed chase just before noon Sunday in Mitchell County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a 2013 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Monte J. Jackson, 71, Glen Elder,&nbsp; westbound on U.S. 24 one mile east of Cawker City with speeds of 80-90 miles per hour.The driver lost control of the SUV as it crossed left of center and entered the south ditch lined with large drainage rock. The Toyota rolled end over end and came to rest on the passenger side facing eastbound.EMS transported Jackson to the Mitchell County Hospital.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Authorities did not report what prompted the chase.

Update: Kan. man injured in crash during chase had medical emergency

Click&nbsp;HERE&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;HERE&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent obituaries

Randstad at Russell Stover seeks warehouse/production personnel.

Randstad at Russell Stover seeks warehouse/production personnel.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647392312575.jpeg" alt="" />
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Mural project, bonds, rezoning among Salina City Commission agenda items

JEWELL - A small earthquake struck part of Jewell County early Sunday morning.

According to the Kansas Geological Survey, a 2.4 magnitude quake struck at 5 a.m. Sunday west-northwest of Jewell. It was centered just south of I Road between 160th Road and 150th Road.

JEWELL - A small earthquake struck part of Jewell County early Sunday morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649023619302.jpeg" alt="The 5 a.m. Sunday, 2.4 magnitude Jewell County earthquake. Map courtesy Kansas Geological Survey" />
 <figcaption>The 5 a.m. Sunday, 2.4 magnitude Jewell County earthquake. Map courtesy Kansas Geological Survey</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the Kansas Geological Survey, a 2.4 magnitude quake struck at 5 a.m. Sunday west-northwest of Jewell. It was centered just south of I Road between 160th Road and 150th Road.

Minor earthquake shakes part of Jewell County Sunday morning

By EIAN PRACHT Smoky View 4-H Club reporter

The Smoky View 4-H Club held its March club meeting on March 20 at the Salemsborg Fellowship Center. 4-H members met in-person or joined online.&nbsp;

During the meeting, members were awarded ribbons for their work at the Central Kansas District (CKD) 4-H Club Days this year. Several members qualified for the regional Club Days that was held on March 26 in Clay Center.&nbsp;

The club also welcomed a new member and a new Cloverbud at this meeting. Cloverbuds are young people in 4-H who are too young to become a full 4-H member.&nbsp;

Wyatt Griffin shared a display board about safety in shooting sports, and Katelyn Griffin showed the club how to make drop biscuits. Acacia Pracht announced the winners of a rabbit breed identification competition. Prizes were given to these 4-H members.&nbsp;

4-H Cloverbuds of the Smoky View 4-H Club planted basil plants and drew pictures of gardens during their own Cloverbud meeting that was held during the club meeting.&nbsp;

The Smoky View 4-H Club plans to meet again at 4 p.m. on April 24 at the Salemsborg Fellowship Center. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649021423670.jpeg" alt="4-H Cloverbuds plant basil plants at the Smoky View 4-H Club's March club meeting on March 20 at the Salemsborg Fellowship Center. Photo courtesy Eian Pracht/Smoky View 4-H Club" />
 <figcaption>4-H Cloverbuds plant basil plants at the Smoky View 4-H Club's March club meeting on March 20 at the Salemsborg Fellowship Center. Photo courtesy Eian Pracht/Smoky View 4-H Club</figcaption>
 </figure>By EIAN PRACHT Smoky View 4-H Club reporterThe Smoky View 4-H Club held its March club meeting on March 20 at the Salemsborg Fellowship Center. 4-H members met in-person or joined online.&nbsp;During the meeting, members were awarded ribbons for their work at the Central Kansas District (CKD) 4-H Club Days this year. Several members qualified for the regional Club Days that was held on March 26 in Clay Center.&nbsp;The club also welcomed a new member and a new Cloverbud at this meeting. Cloverbuds are young people in 4-H who are too young to become a full 4-H member.&nbsp;Wyatt Griffin shared a display board about safety in shooting sports, and Katelyn Griffin showed the club how to make drop biscuits. Acacia Pracht announced the winners of a rabbit breed identification competition. Prizes were given to these 4-H members.&nbsp;4-H Cloverbuds of the Smoky View 4-H Club planted basil plants and drew pictures of gardens during their own Cloverbud meeting that was held during the club meeting.&nbsp;The Smoky View 4-H Club plans to meet again at 4 p.m. on April 24 at the Salemsborg Fellowship Center.

Smoky View 4-H Club holds March club meeting

By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;

As gardeners begin getting the itch to get outside, a popular gardening program has just the scratch they’ll need.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre-learn.com/KStateGardenHour" target="_blank">K-State Garden Hour</a>, a free online program that has served tens of thousands of viewers since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is gearing up for its spring series.&nbsp;

Matthew McKernan, a K-State Research and Extension horticulture agent in Sedgwick County, said upcoming sessions are aimed at helping viewers set a foundation for gardening success.&nbsp;

●Wednesday – Pollinator Plants for Continuous Food Sources.&nbsp;Jason Graves of the Central Kansas District will talk about planting strategies and plants that supply food for pollinators.

●May 4 – New and Improved Annual Flower Varieties.&nbsp;McKernan will highlight new flower varieties that have performed well in Kansas.&nbsp;

●June 1 – Organic Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens.&nbsp;Johnson County horticulture agent Zac Hoppenstedt will discuss organic controls available to the home gardener.&nbsp;

Each online session begins at noon with a 45 minute presentation and 10-15 minutes for questions. There is no charge to participate, but&nbsp;<a href="https://ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2MfHtfkEQS6ql8Q_vr9OYA" target="_blank">interested persons must register online</a>&nbsp;to receive access to the sessions.&nbsp;

“Plant selection is one of the most critical steps in all of gardening,” McKernan said. “Whether we are selecting plants for their summer beauty, for their ability to support pollinators, or for their insect and disease resistance, picking the right plant for the right place is the most important step.”&nbsp;

He said all three webinars in the spring series will provide recommendations for plants common to Kansas.&nbsp;

“If you start with a plant that can’t handle all that Kansas has to throw at it -- whether that’s heat, drought, insects, or disease -- you limit your gardening success from the very first day you plant a new garden,” McKernan said.&nbsp;

In the first three months of 2022, more than 2,587 individuals have registered for the webinar series, spanning 32 states (and the District of Columbia) and five countries. Combined, the live and recorded videos have been viewed 4,417 times, according to McKernan.&nbsp;

“It’s been incredible to see the number of people from across Kansas, and beyond, that have become more successful gardeners by participating each month,” McKernan said. “We are able to inspire more and more gardeners each month, and I’m excited to encourage these gardeners to try new plant varieties that will help further their success.”&nbsp;

In addition to information online, interested persons can also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html" target="_blank">contact their local K-State Research and Extension office</a>&nbsp;for more details on the K-State Garden Hour.&nbsp;

By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;As gardeners begin getting the itch to get outside, a popular gardening program has just the scratch they’ll need.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksre-learn.com/KStateGardenHour" target="_blank">K-State Garden Hour</a>, a free online program that has served tens of thousands of viewers since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, is gearing up for its spring series.&nbsp;Matthew McKernan, a K-State Research and Extension horticulture agent in Sedgwick County, said upcoming sessions are aimed at helping viewers set a foundation for gardening success.&nbsp;Those sessions include:●Wednesday – Pollinator Plants for Continuous Food Sources.&nbsp;Jason Graves of the Central Kansas District will talk about planting strategies and plants that supply food for pollinators.●May 4 – New and Improved Annual Flower Varieties.&nbsp;McKernan will highlight new flower varieties that have performed well in Kansas.&nbsp;●June 1 – Organic Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens.&nbsp;Johnson County horticulture agent Zac Hoppenstedt will discuss organic controls available to the home gardener.&nbsp;Each online session begins at noon with a 45 minute presentation and 10-15 minutes for questions. There is no charge to participate, but&nbsp;<a href="https://ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2MfHtfkEQS6ql8Q_vr9OYA" target="_blank">interested persons must register online</a>&nbsp;to receive access to the sessions.&nbsp;“Plant selection is one of the most critical steps in all of gardening,” McKernan said. “Whether we are selecting plants for their summer beauty, for their ability to support pollinators, or for their insect and disease resistance, picking the right plant for the right place is the most important step.”&nbsp;He said all three webinars in the spring series will provide recommendations for plants common to Kansas.&nbsp;“If you start with a plant that can’t handle all that Kansas has to throw at it -- whether that’s heat, drought, insects, or disease -- you limit your gardening success from the very first day you plant a new garden,” McKernan said.&nbsp;In the first three months of 2022, more than 2,587 individuals have registered for the webinar series, spanning 32 states (and the District of Columbia) and five countries. Combined, the live and recorded videos have been viewed 4,417 times, according to McKernan.&nbsp;“It’s been incredible to see the number of people from across Kansas, and beyond, that have become more successful gardeners by participating each month,” McKernan said. “We are able to inspire more and more gardeners each month, and I’m excited to encourage these gardeners to try new plant varieties that will help further their success.”&nbsp;In addition to information online, interested persons can also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html" target="_blank">contact their local K-State Research and Extension office</a>&nbsp;for more details on the K-State Garden Hour.&nbsp;

K-State Garden Hour preps for spring series

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A local educator has joined an elite group of educators whose work helps others reach for the stars.

Pam Kraus, CTE coordinator and STEM consultant at Smoky Hill Education Service Center in Salina, is one of 26 educators named to the most recent flight of teacher liaisons for the Space Foundation. The flight has educators from around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Indonesia, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. Kraus is the only Kansas educator selected for this flight.

Educators were selected for the program because of their active promotion of space and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in the classroom.

Kraus said that she and other teacher liaisons "will be provided with resources and training in how to use space to create interest and motivate students while they learn important concepts in a variety of academic subjects." She said that next week she will join other teacher liaisons at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., where the newsest members will begin their training.

"We will also be joining a network of amazing educators who are also passionate about space education," she said.

Part of Kraus' responsibility as a teacher liaison is to pass on to other teachers what she learns through the Space Foundation program, an ideal responsibility, given Kraus' work.

"As a STEM Consultant at Smoky Hill Education Service Center, I provide resources and professional development opportunities for STEM teachers," Kraus said. "I look forward to designing workshops where I can share what I've learned in my position as a Space Foundation teacher liaison, so other teachers can benefit, which ultimately benefits students!"

Being a teacher liaison is also a personal fit for Kraus. 

"As a child growing up during the space race and watching man land on the moon, I have always had an interest in space. But it was after attending my first Teachers in Space workshop several years ago that I really became passionate about how space can be used in the classroom," she said.

Since that workshop, Kraus has looked for opportunities to further her knowledge of space and to build her network of space educators.

Kraus said she can maintain her teacher liaison status for as long as she is "able and willing to keep learning and sharing what she has learned."

"With the 26 members of the 19th flight being named this year, there are now over 300 Teacher Liaisons around the world championing space education in their countries," she said.

The Teacher Liaison Program won't be the only learning initiative keeping Kraus busy this year.

In June, she is scheduled to travel to Germany where she will spend two weeks with the Transatlantic Outreach Program studying how STEM and career and technical education are taught in that country.

"I was selected for this trip in 2020 and after the trip being postponed the past two summers due to COVID, I'm so excited to finally get this opportunity!" she explained.

In July, Kraus will be assisting at a Teachers in Space workshop for the Cosmosphere's new Launch Learning Fellows program. 

Additionally, Kraus recently found out that she has been selected to attend The Space Age on the Space Coast workshop at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. The workshop is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

"I'm excited because this workshop will focus on how the Space Age has affected history and will allow me to develop cross-curricular projects teachers can use in their classrooms," Kraus said.

Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation offers "a gateway to education, information and collaboration for space exploration and space-inspired industries that define the global space ecosystem," according to information on the organization's <a href="https://www.spacefoundation.org/">website</a>. Through its work, the foundation brings together business, government, education, and local communities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649018702972.jpeg" alt="Pam Kraus. Photo courtesy Smoky Hill Education Service Center" />
 <figcaption>Pam Kraus. Photo courtesy Smoky Hill Education Service Center</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA local educator has joined an elite group of educators whose work helps others reach for the stars.Pam Kraus, CTE coordinator and STEM consultant at Smoky Hill Education Service Center in Salina, is one of 26 educators named to the most recent flight of teacher liaisons for the Space Foundation. The flight has educators from around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Ghana, Indonesia, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. Kraus is the only Kansas educator selected for this flight.Educators were selected for the program because of their active promotion of space and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in the classroom.Kraus said that she and other teacher liaisons "will be provided with resources and training in how to use space to create interest and motivate students while they learn important concepts in a variety of academic subjects." She said that next week she will join other teacher liaisons at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., where the newsest members will begin their training."We will also be joining a network of amazing educators who are also passionate about space education," she said.Part of Kraus' responsibility as a teacher liaison is to pass on to other teachers what she learns through the Space Foundation program, an ideal responsibility, given Kraus' work."As a STEM Consultant at Smoky Hill Education Service Center, I provide resources and professional development opportunities for STEM teachers," Kraus said. "I look forward to designing workshops where I can share what I've learned in my position as a Space Foundation teacher liaison, so other teachers can benefit, which ultimately benefits students!"Being a teacher liaison is also a personal fit for Kraus. "As a child growing up during the space race and watching man land on the moon, I have always had an interest in space. But it was after attending my first Teachers in Space workshop several years ago that I really became passionate about how space can be used in the classroom," she said.Since that workshop, Kraus has looked for opportunities to further her knowledge of space and to build her network of space educators.Kraus said she can maintain her teacher liaison status for as long as she is "able and willing to keep learning and sharing what she has learned.""With the 26 members of the 19th flight being named this year, there are now over 300 Teacher Liaisons around the world championing space education in their countries," she said.The Teacher Liaison Program won't be the only learning initiative keeping Kraus busy this year.In June, she is scheduled to travel to Germany where she will spend two weeks with the Transatlantic Outreach Program studying how STEM and career and technical education are taught in that country."I was selected for this trip in 2020 and after the trip being postponed the past two summers due to COVID, I'm so excited to finally get this opportunity!" she explained.In July, Kraus will be assisting at a Teachers in Space workshop for the Cosmosphere's new Launch Learning Fellows program. Additionally, Kraus recently found out that she has been selected to attend The Space Age on the Space Coast workshop at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. The workshop is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities."I'm excited because this workshop will focus on how the Space Age has affected history and will allow me to develop cross-curricular projects teachers can use in their classrooms," Kraus said.About the Space FoundationFounded in 1983, the Space Foundation offers "a gateway to education, information and collaboration for space exploration and space-inspired industries that define the global space ecosystem," according to information on the organization's <a href="https://www.spacefoundation.org/">website</a>. Through its work, the foundation brings together business, government, education, and local communities.

Kraus part of elite group of educators studying, sharing about space

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER President of McPherson College

As we move toward a post-pandemic economy, it’s time to send a strong reminder to Congress that an economic rebound can be supported by increasing the maximum Pell Grant.&nbsp;#Double Pell&nbsp;– a national bipartisan movement to raise the per-person grant from its cap of $6,500 to $13,000 annually – would put a reasonably priced college education within reach of every American student and potentially eliminate their student debt.

When the Pell Grant program started in the 1970s, the grant could cover 75% of the cost of a public four-year institution, but today the maximum grant amount covers only 28% of the same costs, according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

According to a NAICU survey, over 80% of Americans already support expanding the Pell Grant, including 77% of Republicans and 91% of Democrats. At McPherson College, one in three students is a Pell Grant recipient. Many of these students are concerned about graduating with student loans, so they have become a part of the McPherson College&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=PUEfBngxihzpDnPMILaJaPW0PuG2-2FkmfMSKa2KsAMHZ7GLFraX7mqiM4GzcLmjZvx4dE_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyebL1jiwk3C-2BOh-2BfszwiVYZvx1Nc80CGByTOr-2BGGgZaTlb4qi-2FrxTVdj1UATjmWLHL4f-2Fk6kLeqw2giOXAZtCHJ-2BpfeQZ90N295Z4OKZ4psM1OR7YhrFbDRUJ5PJzl35HI6izJrkYvWMz-2FeoPzjixzysESMLVwKxMcUtW1v1S0j26YJXJelfhLJKaNLeWRbMtSlBit19qfI-2FVYkD0lecqHgk-2FSdXdfyZDYFptCOjz-2FK77taEjPIZkG5z0am36hIMMYCvT7UdMvutav0floLavbGg5wUwv1tZe5q9j2les0Ag4cVGbx386PFhpy6jTRwWBfz9WYDziE-2FekZBG2cTvJNg4AjYvptX1jg4imvSqr9bMA-3D-3D" target="_blank">Student Debt Project</a>, which is a college-funded program that combines financial literacy education, jobs, and mentorships to create a pathway for students to graduate debt-free. The college matches 25 cents for every dollar students contribute to their education, allowing them to pay for their education in real-time.

Nationwide, Pell Grants help nearly 7 million low- and moderate-income students attend and complete college annually. They are especially critical for students of color, with nearly 60 percent of Black students and roughly half of Native American, Alaska Native, and Hispanic students receiving a Pell Grant each year.

But while we’re working to expand Pell Grants, let’s also take full advantage of the current Federal Pell Grant Program.

Here’s a crazy statistic: In 2021, more than 8,000 Pell-eligible high school seniors across Kansas left a staggering $35 million in aid on the table because they failed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in determining Pell Grant eligibility as well as all other federal financial aid.

Last year,&nbsp;53% of Kansas high school graduates failed to submit the FAFSA form, ranking Kansas a dismal 32nd&nbsp;in the nation for the rate of FAFSA completions. Maybe this is why Kansas ranks 29th&nbsp;in college graduation rates, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. We need to do better to ensure that high school seniors receive the student aid that will provide the financial support they need to graduate from college.

Although students can complete the FAFSA at any point during the year to receive Pell Grants, why put it off? Many Kansas colleges have April 1 financial aid deadlines, so I encourage students and families to take two easy steps to get their FAFSA completed:

First, Google “FAFSA” to find a quick link to apply. All you need is your 2020 tax return and a listing of your current assets. However, if you don’t have either of these readily available, you can estimate and submit, then make changes later. It takes less than an hour to complete the application.

Second, McPherson College – or any college, for that matter – will be more than happy to help you complete the form. Just call any college financial aid office, and staff can guide you through the FAFSA process.

Education funding fuels economic development

For the past 50 years, the Pell Grant has been second only to the GI Bill in terms of its impact on educational opportunity and economic progress. Doubling Pell gets more dollars to the students who need it most. With millions of jobs still vacant in healthcare, technology, and other knowledge-based sectors, we need to make higher education degrees more accessible. The future of our economy depends on maximizing every student’s potential.

I support government officials holding higher education accountable, as the business of education has become more complex over the years, adapting to a market that is less funded by the public. However, let’s not forget about the relationship education has with economic development. So often education and economic development are viewed politically as an either/or proposition. We either fund education or we fund economic development. It’s time that we start doing a better job connecting the two.

And we need to remember that most colleges are not high-priced public universities or elitist private colleges. Most of us in higher education have a mission to serve students with the goal to place students in the job market by providing affordable bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees as well as useful licensures and certificates. An investment in education gets more people into the workforce paying taxes, more teachers in our classrooms, more healthcare workers in our clinics, more entrepreneurs starting businesses, and more executives to provide corporations the leadership they need to prosper.

Join me in asking the Kansas Congressional delegation to make an investment in America’s future by increasing Pell Grants. And, if you have a high school senior in your household – or know one among your friends and family – reach out to make sure they complete their FAFSA. The future of our communities, our state, and our country will be better for having done both.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648955680565.jpeg" alt="President Michael Schneider. Photo courtesy McPherson College" />
 <figcaption>President Michael Schneider. Photo courtesy McPherson College</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER President of McPherson CollegeAs we move toward a post-pandemic economy, it’s time to send a strong reminder to Congress that an economic rebound can be supported by increasing the maximum Pell Grant.&nbsp;#Double Pell&nbsp;– a national bipartisan movement to raise the per-person grant from its cap of $6,500 to $13,000 annually – would put a reasonably priced college education within reach of every American student and potentially eliminate their student debt.When the Pell Grant program started in the 1970s, the grant could cover 75% of the cost of a public four-year institution, but today the maximum grant amount covers only 28% of the same costs, according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).According to a NAICU survey, over 80% of Americans already support expanding the Pell Grant, including 77% of Republicans and 91% of Democrats. At McPherson College, one in three students is a Pell Grant recipient. Many of these students are concerned about graduating with student loans, so they have become a part of the McPherson College&nbsp;<a href="http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=PUEfBngxihzpDnPMILaJaPW0PuG2-2FkmfMSKa2KsAMHZ7GLFraX7mqiM4GzcLmjZvx4dE_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyebL1jiwk3C-2BOh-2BfszwiVYZvx1Nc80CGByTOr-2BGGgZaTlb4qi-2FrxTVdj1UATjmWLHL4f-2Fk6kLeqw2giOXAZtCHJ-2BpfeQZ90N295Z4OKZ4psM1OR7YhrFbDRUJ5PJzl35HI6izJrkYvWMz-2FeoPzjixzysESMLVwKxMcUtW1v1S0j26YJXJelfhLJKaNLeWRbMtSlBit19qfI-2FVYkD0lecqHgk-2FSdXdfyZDYFptCOjz-2FK77taEjPIZkG5z0am36hIMMYCvT7UdMvutav0floLavbGg5wUwv1tZe5q9j2les0Ag4cVGbx386PFhpy6jTRwWBfz9WYDziE-2FekZBG2cTvJNg4AjYvptX1jg4imvSqr9bMA-3D-3D" target="_blank">Student Debt Project</a>, which is a college-funded program that combines financial literacy education, jobs, and mentorships to create a pathway for students to graduate debt-free. The college matches 25 cents for every dollar students contribute to their education, allowing them to pay for their education in real-time.Nationwide, Pell Grants help nearly 7 million low- and moderate-income students attend and complete college annually. They are especially critical for students of color, with nearly 60 percent of Black students and roughly half of Native American, Alaska Native, and Hispanic students receiving a Pell Grant each year.But while we’re working to expand Pell Grants, let’s also take full advantage of the current Federal Pell Grant Program.Here’s a crazy statistic: In 2021, more than 8,000 Pell-eligible high school seniors across Kansas left a staggering $35 million in aid on the table because they failed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in determining Pell Grant eligibility as well as all other federal financial aid.Last year,&nbsp;53% of Kansas high school graduates failed to submit the FAFSA form, ranking Kansas a dismal 32nd&nbsp;in the nation for the rate of FAFSA completions. Maybe this is why Kansas ranks 29th&nbsp;in college graduation rates, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. We need to do better to ensure that high school seniors receive the student aid that will provide the financial support they need to graduate from college.Although students can complete the FAFSA at any point during the year to receive Pell Grants, why put it off? Many Kansas colleges have April 1 financial aid deadlines, so I encourage students and families to take two easy steps to get their FAFSA completed:First, Google “FAFSA” to find a quick link to apply. All you need is your 2020 tax return and a listing of your current assets. However, if you don’t have either of these readily available, you can estimate and submit, then make changes later. It takes less than an hour to complete the application.Second, McPherson College – or any college, for that matter – will be more than happy to help you complete the form. Just call any college financial aid office, and staff can guide you through the FAFSA process.Education funding fuels economic developmentFor the past 50 years, the Pell Grant has been second only to the GI Bill in terms of its impact on educational opportunity and economic progress. Doubling Pell gets more dollars to the students who need it most. With millions of jobs still vacant in healthcare, technology, and other knowledge-based sectors, we need to make higher education degrees more accessible. The future of our economy depends on maximizing every student’s potential.I support government officials holding higher education accountable, as the business of education has become more complex over the years, adapting to a market that is less funded by the public. However, let’s not forget about the relationship education has with economic development. So often education and economic development are viewed politically as an either/or proposition. We either fund education or we fund economic development. It’s time that we start doing a better job connecting the two.And we need to remember that most colleges are not high-priced public universities or elitist private colleges. Most of us in higher education have a mission to serve students with the goal to place students in the job market by providing affordable bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees as well as useful licensures and certificates. An investment in education gets more people into the workforce paying taxes, more teachers in our classrooms, more healthcare workers in our clinics, more entrepreneurs starting businesses, and more executives to provide corporations the leadership they need to prosper.Join me in asking the Kansas Congressional delegation to make an investment in America’s future by increasing Pell Grants. And, if you have a high school senior in your household – or know one among your friends and family – reach out to make sure they complete their FAFSA. The future of our communities, our state, and our country will be better for having done both.

OPINION: Doubling federal Pell Grant program an investment in Kansas' future

By KATHY HAGEMAN Dickinson County Public Information coordinator

ABILENE - Dickinson County departments that temporarily were located in the Abilene Civic Center will be closed Monday and Tuesday to move back into the courthouse.

The offices will reopen to the public on Wednesday.

Departments returning to the courthouse include the county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, appraiser, emergency management and GIS/IT (global information services/information technology).

The planning and zoning department also will return to the courthouse after temporarily being located at the Dickinson County Transfer Station.

Dickinson County Administration will move back into the courthouse from its temporary headquarters in the sheriff’s office.

The courthouse will remain open during the move to accommodate members of the public who have business with Dickinson County District Court, Community Corrections, Court Services or the county attorney’s office. Those offices moved back into the courthouse March 7 and 8.

The courthouse has been undergoing an extensive remodeling process since February 2021, following construction of the new jail and sheriff’s department. The project was approved by Dickinson County voters in August 2018 and construction began in 2019.

An open house will be scheduled in the coming weeks after the remodeled building is totally finished.

By KATHY HAGEMAN Dickinson County Public Information coordinatorABILENE - Dickinson County departments that temporarily were located in the Abilene Civic Center will be closed Monday and Tuesday to move back into the courthouse.The offices will reopen to the public on Wednesday.Departments returning to the courthouse include the county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, appraiser, emergency management and GIS/IT (global information services/information technology).The planning and zoning department also will return to the courthouse after temporarily being located at the Dickinson County Transfer Station.Dickinson County Administration will move back into the courthouse from its temporary headquarters in the sheriff’s office.The courthouse will remain open during the move to accommodate members of the public who have business with Dickinson County District Court, Community Corrections, Court Services or the county attorney’s office. Those offices moved back into the courthouse March 7 and 8.The courthouse has been undergoing an extensive remodeling process since February 2021, following construction of the new jail and sheriff’s department. The project was approved by Dickinson County voters in August 2018 and construction began in 2019.An open house will be scheduled in the coming weeks after the remodeled building is totally finished.

Displaced Dickinson County offices to return to courthouse this week

Today is Sunday, April 3, the 93rd day of 2022. There are 272 days left in the year.

On April 3, 1973, the first handheld portable telephone was demonstrated for reporters on a New York City street corner as Motorola executive Martin Cooper called Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs.

In 1865, Union forces occupied the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.

In 1882, outlaw Jesse James was shot to death in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, a member of James' gang.

In 1936, Bruno Hauptmann was electrocuted in Trenton, New Jersey, for the kidnap-murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr.

In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces began their final assault on Bataan against American and Filipino troops who surrendered six days later; the capitulation was followed by the notorious Bataan Death March.

In 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Smith v. Allwright, struck down a Democratic Party of Texas rule that allowed only white voters to participate in Democratic primaries.

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Marshall Plan, designed to help European allies rebuild after World War II and resist communism.

In 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered what turned out to be his final speech, telling a rally of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, that "I've been to the mountaintop" and "seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!" (About 20 hours later, King was felled by an assassin's bullet at the Lorraine Motel.)

In 1974, deadly tornadoes began hitting wide parts of the South and Midwest before jumping across the border into Canada; more than 300 fatalities resulted from what became known as the Super Outbreak.

In 1978, at the Academy Awards, Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" was named best picture of 1977; its co-star, Diane Keaton, won best actress while Richard Dreyfuss was honored as best actor for "The Goodbye Girl."

In 1996, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was arrested at his remote Montana cabin.

In 2014, David Letterman announced during a taping of the "Late Show" on CBS that he would retire as host in 2015. (Stephen Colbert was named as his replacement a week later.)

In 2020, President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the coronavirus, but Trump immediately said he had no intention of following that advice himself; he said he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders.

Ten years ago: Mitt Romney tightened his grip on the Republican presidential nomination, sweeping primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington, D.C. In a speech to the annual meeting of The Associated Press, President Barack Obama accused Republican leaders of becoming so radical and rigid that even the late Ronald Reagan could not win a current GOP primary were he running. Baylor finished off an undefeated season with an 80-61 win over Notre Dame in the NCAA women's basketball championship game.

Five years ago: A divided Senate Judiciary Committee panel voted 11-9 along party lines to favorably recommend Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch to the full Senate. A suicide bombing aboard a subway train in St. Petersburg, Russia, left 16 people dead and wounded more than 50; authorities identified the bomber as a 22-year old Kyrgyz-born Russian national. The NHL announced it would not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. North Carolina scored the last eight points for a 71-65 win over Gonzaga and an NCAA title.

One year ago: Gonzaga beat UCLA 93-90, while Baylor roared to a 78-59 victory over Houston, to advance to the championship game of the NCAA basketball tournament, which would be won by Baylor.

Today's Birthdays: Conservationist Dame Jane Goodall is 88. Actor William Gaunt is 85. Songwriter Jeff Barry is 84. Actor Eric Braeden is 81. Actor Marsha Mason is 80. Singer Wayne Newton is 80. Singer Tony Orlando is 78. Comedy writer Pat Proft is 75. Folk-rock singer Richard Thompson is 73. Country musician Curtis Stone (Highway 101) is 72. Blues singer-guitarist John Mooney is 67. Rock musician Mick Mars (Motley Crue) is 66. Actor Alec Baldwin is 64. Actor David Hyde Pierce is 63. Rock singer John Thomas Griffith (Cowboy Mouth) is 62. Comedian-actor Eddie Murphy is 61. Rock singer-musician Mike Ness (Social Distortion) is 60. Rock singer Sebastian Bach is 54. Rock musician James MacDonough is 52. Olympic gold medal ski racer Picabo Street is 51. Actor Jennie Garth is 50. Actor Jamie Bamber is 49. Actor Adam Scott is 49. Christian rock musician Drew Shirley (Switchfoot) is 48. Comedian Aries Spears is 47. Actor Matthew Goode is 44. Actor Cobie Smulders is 40. Rock-pop singer Leona Lewis is 37. Actor Amanda Bynes is 36. Actor-comedian Rachel Bloom is 35. Actor Hayley Kiyoko is 31. Rock musician Sam Kiszka (Greta Van Fleet) is 23.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, April 3, the 93rd day of 2022. There are 272 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On April 3, 1973, the first handheld portable telephone was demonstrated for reporters on a New York City street corner as Motorola executive Martin Cooper called Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs.On this date:In 1865, Union forces occupied the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.In 1882, outlaw Jesse James was shot to death in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, a member of James' gang.In 1936, Bruno Hauptmann was electrocuted in Trenton, New Jersey, for the kidnap-murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr.In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces began their final assault on Bataan against American and Filipino troops who surrendered six days later; the capitulation was followed by the notorious Bataan Death March.In 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Smith v. Allwright, struck down a Democratic Party of Texas rule that allowed only white voters to participate in Democratic primaries.In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Marshall Plan, designed to help European allies rebuild after World War II and resist communism.In 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered what turned out to be his final speech, telling a rally of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, that "I've been to the mountaintop" and "seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!" (About 20 hours later, King was felled by an assassin's bullet at the Lorraine Motel.)In 1974, deadly tornadoes began hitting wide parts of the South and Midwest before jumping across the border into Canada; more than 300 fatalities resulted from what became known as the Super Outbreak.In 1978, at the Academy Awards, Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" was named best picture of 1977; its co-star, Diane Keaton, won best actress while Richard Dreyfuss was honored as best actor for "The Goodbye Girl."In 1996, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was arrested at his remote Montana cabin.In 2014, David Letterman announced during a taping of the "Late Show" on CBS that he would retire as host in 2015. (Stephen Colbert was named as his replacement a week later.)In 2020, President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the coronavirus, but Trump immediately said he had no intention of following that advice himself; he said he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders.Ten years ago: Mitt Romney tightened his grip on the Republican presidential nomination, sweeping primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington, D.C. In a speech to the annual meeting of The Associated Press, President Barack Obama accused Republican leaders of becoming so radical and rigid that even the late Ronald Reagan could not win a current GOP primary were he running. Baylor finished off an undefeated season with an 80-61 win over Notre Dame in the NCAA women's basketball championship game.Five years ago: A divided Senate Judiciary Committee panel voted 11-9 along party lines to favorably recommend Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch to the full Senate. A suicide bombing aboard a subway train in St. Petersburg, Russia, left 16 people dead and wounded more than 50; authorities identified the bomber as a 22-year old Kyrgyz-born Russian national. The NHL announced it would not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. North Carolina scored the last eight points for a 71-65 win over Gonzaga and an NCAA title.One year ago: Gonzaga beat UCLA 93-90, while Baylor roared to a 78-59 victory over Houston, to advance to the championship game of the NCAA basketball tournament, which would be won by Baylor.Today's Birthdays: Conservationist Dame Jane Goodall is 88. Actor William Gaunt is 85. Songwriter Jeff Barry is 84. Actor Eric Braeden is 81. Actor Marsha Mason is 80. Singer Wayne Newton is 80. Singer Tony Orlando is 78. Comedy writer Pat Proft is 75. Folk-rock singer Richard Thompson is 73. Country musician Curtis Stone (Highway 101) is 72. Blues singer-guitarist John Mooney is 67. Rock musician Mick Mars (Motley Crue) is 66. Actor Alec Baldwin is 64. Actor David Hyde Pierce is 63. Rock singer John Thomas Griffith (Cowboy Mouth) is 62. Comedian-actor Eddie Murphy is 61. Rock singer-musician Mike Ness (Social Distortion) is 60. Rock singer Sebastian Bach is 54. Rock musician James MacDonough is 52. Olympic gold medal ski racer Picabo Street is 51. Actor Jennie Garth is 50. Actor Jamie Bamber is 49. Actor Adam Scott is 49. Christian rock musician Drew Shirley (Switchfoot) is 48. Comedian Aries Spears is 47. Actor Matthew Goode is 44. Actor Cobie Smulders is 40. Rock-pop singer Leona Lewis is 37. Actor Amanda Bynes is 36. Actor-comedian Rachel Bloom is 35. Actor Hayley Kiyoko is 31. Rock musician Sam Kiszka (Greta Van Fleet) is 23.

Today in History - April 3

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Have you seen all of the jobs on the Salina Post Jobs page?

Registration is now open for the 41st Festival Fitness 5 races during the Smoky Hill River Festival.

The multifaceted race include a five-mile run, a two-mile run,a two-mile walk, and children's races, and is scheduled for June 11 in Oakdale Park and Kenwood Park, according to information from Salina Regional Health Center, the sponsoring organization.

The races are being run in connection with the 46th annual Smoky Hill River Festival, which is scheduled for June 9-12 in Oakdale Park.

"The five-mile run will go through Oakdale Park and continues to downtown Salina on Santa Fe. The two-mile run/walk goes through the park. The children races all happen next to the train in Oakdale Park," Brandon Martinez, wellness coordinator for Salina Regional Health Center, told Salina Post.

Those attending can quench their thirst with a variety of "clean" energy teas from Vibin' Nutrition, and there will be a water stop at Sharp Performance during the five-mile run. Additionally, participants can get a snack after the race, including fruits, breakfast bars, and cold water, Martinez noted.

Registrations will end 15 minutes prior to the start time of each individual race. 

Following is the schedule for the June 11 races as provided by Martinez.

6 a.m.: Registration. Road maps are posted by Kenwood Park Shelter House.

7 a.m.: Start of the five-mile run

7:10 a.m.: Start of the two-mile run/walk

8:20 a.m.: Start of the children’s races

All races begin and end near the locomotive in Kenwood Park, Martinez noted.

To register, go to: <a href="https://www.srhc.com/ff5/">https://www.srhc.com/ff5/</a>

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 </figure>By SALINA POSTRegistration is now open for the 41st Festival Fitness 5 races during the Smoky Hill River Festival.The multifaceted race include a five-mile run, a two-mile run,a two-mile walk, and children's races, and is scheduled for June 11 in Oakdale Park and Kenwood Park, according to information from Salina Regional Health Center, the sponsoring organization.The races are being run in connection with the 46th annual Smoky Hill River Festival, which is scheduled for June 9-12 in Oakdale Park."The five-mile run will go through Oakdale Park and continues to downtown Salina on Santa Fe. The two-mile run/walk goes through the park. The children races all happen next to the train in Oakdale Park," Brandon Martinez, wellness coordinator for Salina Regional Health Center, told Salina Post.Those attending can quench their thirst with a variety of "clean" energy teas from Vibin' Nutrition, and there will be a water stop at Sharp Performance during the five-mile run. Additionally, participants can get a snack after the race, including fruits, breakfast bars, and cold water, Martinez noted.Schedule of eventsRegistrations will end 15 minutes prior to the start time of each individual race. Following is the schedule for the June 11 races as provided by Martinez.6 a.m.: Registration. Road maps are posted by Kenwood Park Shelter House.7 a.m.: Start of the five-mile run7:10 a.m.: Start of the two-mile run/walk8:20 a.m.: Start of the children’s races50-yard dash, ages 1 and under50-yard dash, age 250-yard dash, age 350-yard dash, age4200-yard run, age 5-6Quarter-mile, age 7Quarter-mile, age 8Quarter-mile, ages 9-10Quarter-mile, ages 11-13All races begin and end near the locomotive in Kenwood Park, Martinez noted.RegistrationThe entry fees are as follows.$10 Advance children's entry fee$12 Race day children's entry fee$25 Advance adult 2M/5M race entry fee$30 Race day adult 2M/5M race entry fee$15 Walk entry fee$18 Race day walk entry feeTo register, go to: <a href="https://www.srhc.com/ff5/">https://www.srhc.com/ff5/</a>

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