OCCK, Inc. is seeking Direct Support Professionals. These individuals are residential in their supported Living Department in the Salina, Beloit, and Concordia locations. Full time with benefits, EOE, drug testing.

This person will be coordinating services and provide Independent living skills. Training will be provided as needed. Need to be a compassionate and a problem solver.

Must be at least 18 years old with strong oral and written communication skills, math skills and valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have the ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team setting. Various shifts available.

OCCK, Inc. is a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that has been providing services to people with disabilities since 1970. With regional offices throughout North Central Kansas. Help others and getting paid to do so. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR">http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592535783410.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OCCK, Inc. is seeking Direct Support Professionals. These individuals are residential in their supported Living Department in the Salina, Beloit, and Concordia locations. Full time with benefits, EOE, drug testing.This person will be coordinating services and provide Independent living skills. Training will be provided as needed. Need to be a compassionate and a problem solver.Must be at least 18 years old with strong oral and written communication skills, math skills and valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have the ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team setting. Various shifts available.OCCK, Inc. is a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that has been providing services to people with disabilities since 1970. With regional offices throughout North Central Kansas. Help others and getting paid to do so. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR">http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR</a>.

You still have time to participate in virtual Tutu Fun Run

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;The Kansas State University College of Education's Center for Social Studies Education is co-sponsoring a seven-week&nbsp;<a href="https://civiced.org/power-series-webinars" target="_blank">"Power to the People" webinar series</a>&nbsp;beginning Thursday.

The series offers experts addressing some of the most challenging issues in American society.

Topics include voting rights, monuments and flags, the Nineteenth Amendment, free speech, Supreme Court cases, social movements for change and Indian sovereignty. The&nbsp;series is designed for civics, government and U.S. history teachers who want to better understand these issues; however, the public is invited to attend. Advance registration is required.

Thomas Vontz, professor and director of the Center for Social Studies Education, said these topics are both timely and relevant.

"These webinars provide teachers, students and citizens opportunities to consider important public issues in a nonpartisan environment," Vontz said. "We also hope to help citizens understand that political power may be exerted by average citizens through exercising their rights of speech, association and voting. Democracy works best when citizens are informed, engaged and motivated to make their community, state, nation and world a little better."

Webinar sessions&nbsp;are open to the public and will last 90 minutes. Each session starts at 6:30 p.m. CDT and registration is required at&nbsp;<a href="https://civiced.org/power-series-webinars" target="_blank">civiced.org/power-series-webinars</a>. The schedule:

• "The Power of People and the Courts,"&nbsp;Sept. 17.&nbsp;Christopher Riano and U.S. District Judge Mae Avila D'Agostino will review selected Supreme Court cases from 2019-2020.

•&nbsp;"The Power of Indian Sovereignty," Thursday, Sept. 24.&nbsp;David E. Wilkins, professor and E. Clairborne Robins distinguished professor of leadership studies at the University of Richmond, will address Native American sovereignty in the American constitutional system. Wilkins asserts this subject is not sufficiently covered in most schools. He wrote about it in depth in his book "Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations."

•&nbsp;"The Power of Movements: The Struggle to Pass the Nineteenth Amendment and Beyond," Thursday, Oct. 1.&nbsp;Lisa Tetrault,&nbsp;associate professor of history at Carnegie Mellon University, will explain how the power of movements, focusing particularly on the struggle to pass the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.

•&nbsp;"The Power of Symbols: Monuments and Flags," Thursday, Oct. 8.&nbsp;Brandon Hasbrouck,&nbsp;assistant professor of law at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, will explain why symbols, such as monuments and flags, illicit powerful emotions in many Americans.

• "The Power of the Criminal Justice System,"&nbsp;Thursday, Oct. 15.&nbsp;Hernandez Stroud,&nbsp;counsel for the Justice Program of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, will address the power of the American criminal justice system. With more than 2 million people incarcerated, the U.S. leads the world with the highest prison population rate in the world, surpassing Iran, Cuba, China and Russia.

• "The Power of Free Speech,"&nbsp;Thursday, Oct. 22.&nbsp;David Hudson, visiting associate professor of legal practice at Belmont University and First Amendment ombudsman for the Freedom Forum Institute's First Amendment Center, will address the power of free speech.

• "The Power of Voting: The Electoral College, Gerrymandering and Suppression,"&nbsp;Thursday, Oct. 29.&nbsp;Michael Li, senior counsel at the Brennan Center's Democracy Program, will address the ongoing struggle to exercise the right to vote.

This Power to the People webinar series is co-sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://civiced.org/about" target="_blank">Center for Civic Education</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas State University</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://inbf.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Bar Foundation</a>.&nbsp;

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;The Kansas State University College of Education's Center for Social Studies Education is co-sponsoring a seven-week&nbsp;<a href="https://civiced.org/power-series-webinars" target="_blank">"Power to the People" webinar series</a>&nbsp;beginning Thursday. The series offers experts addressing some of the most challenging issues in American society.Topics include voting rights, monuments and flags, the Nineteenth Amendment, free speech, Supreme Court cases, social movements for change and Indian sovereignty. The&nbsp;series is designed for civics, government and U.S. history teachers who want to better understand these issues; however, the public is invited to attend. Advance registration is required.Thomas Vontz, professor and director of the Center for Social Studies Education, said these topics are both timely and relevant."These webinars provide teachers, students and citizens opportunities to consider important public issues in a nonpartisan environment," Vontz said. "We also hope to help citizens understand that political power may be exerted by average citizens through exercising their rights of speech, association and voting. Democracy works best when citizens are informed, engaged and motivated to make their community, state, nation and world a little better."Webinar sessions&nbsp;are open to the public and will last 90 minutes. Each session starts at 6:30 p.m. CDT and registration is required at&nbsp;<a href="https://civiced.org/power-series-webinars" target="_blank">civiced.org/power-series-webinars</a>. The schedule:• "The Power of People and the Courts,"&nbsp;Sept. 17.&nbsp;Christopher Riano and U.S. District Judge Mae Avila D'Agostino will review selected Supreme Court cases from 2019-2020.•&nbsp;"The Power of Indian Sovereignty," Thursday, Sept. 24.&nbsp;David E. Wilkins, professor and E. Clairborne Robins distinguished professor of leadership studies at the University of Richmond, will address Native American sovereignty in the American constitutional system. Wilkins asserts this subject is not sufficiently covered in most schools. He wrote about it in depth in his book "Blood Struggle: The Rise of Modern Indian Nations."•&nbsp;"The Power of Movements: The Struggle to Pass the Nineteenth Amendment and Beyond," Thursday, Oct. 1.&nbsp;Lisa Tetrault,&nbsp;associate professor of history at Carnegie Mellon University, will explain how the power of movements, focusing particularly on the struggle to pass the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.•&nbsp;"The Power of Symbols: Monuments and Flags," Thursday, Oct. 8.&nbsp;Brandon Hasbrouck,&nbsp;assistant professor of law at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, will explain why symbols, such as monuments and flags, illicit powerful emotions in many Americans.• "The Power of the Criminal Justice System,"&nbsp;Thursday, Oct. 15.&nbsp;Hernandez Stroud,&nbsp;counsel for the Justice Program of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, will address the power of the American criminal justice system. With more than 2 million people incarcerated, the U.S. leads the world with the highest prison population rate in the world, surpassing Iran, Cuba, China and Russia.• "The Power of Free Speech,"&nbsp;Thursday, Oct. 22.&nbsp;David Hudson, visiting associate professor of legal practice at Belmont University and First Amendment ombudsman for the Freedom Forum Institute's First Amendment Center, will address the power of free speech.• "The Power of Voting: The Electoral College, Gerrymandering and Suppression,"&nbsp;Thursday, Oct. 29.&nbsp;Michael Li, senior counsel at the Brennan Center's Democracy Program, will address the ongoing struggle to exercise the right to vote.This Power to the People webinar series is co-sponsored by the&nbsp;<a href="https://civiced.org/about" target="_blank">Center for Civic Education</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Kansas State University</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://inbf.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Bar Foundation</a>.&nbsp;

K-State: Free webinar series explores challenging issues

MANHATTAN – Kansans’ pride in the&nbsp;sunflower&nbsp;goes well beyond their state’s catchy nickname.&nbsp;

Along with their beauty,&nbsp;sunflowers can produce an abundance of flavorful seeds and nuts that bring the fun from the garden into the kitchen. Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said mid-September into October is the best time to harvest those seeds.&nbsp;

“Seed heads can ripen right on the plant, but they will need protection from the birds,” Upham said. “Try covering the heads with a paper sack or cheesecloth once the petals start turning brown, then use a twist tie or rubber band to secure the covering.”&nbsp;

Covering the plant’s head will not only keep the birds from stealing the harvest, it will also prevent the ripened seeds from dropping out of the head, according to Upham.&nbsp;

He added that home gardeners can look for the following signs that seeds are mature:&nbsp;

●Florets in the brown center of the flower disk are shriveled.

●The head of the plant has turned downward.

●The back side of the head is a lemon yellow color.&nbsp;

“The ultimate check, of course, is to pull a few seeds to see if they have turned black with white stripes, which is the typical color,” Upham said. “Empty shells usually indicate a lack of pollination earlier in the year.&nbsp;

“If the heads remain uncovered, harvest the seeds when they begin turning black and white. The flavor will not be as good as when the seeds are allowed to ripen on the plants, but you’ll lose fewer seeds.”&nbsp;

When harvesting the&nbsp;sunflower, Upham suggests cutting the head of the plant and place it in a paper sack. “Some people prefer to cut the heads with about a foot of stem attached, then hanging them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area,” he said.&nbsp;

Once the head is dry, Upham noted, seeds can easily be removed by rubbing gently on the surface of the head.&nbsp;

Roasting&nbsp;sunflower&nbsp;seeds&nbsp;

Upham’s advice for roasting&nbsp;sunflower&nbsp;seeds includes placing seeds in a pan and covering them with salted water – approximately two quarts of water to anywhere from ¼ to 2 cups of salt.&nbsp;

Bring the water to a boil and simmer for two hours, or soak the seeds in the salt solution overnight. Drain and dry the seeds on absorbent paper.&nbsp;

Once dried, the seeds can be cooked in a shallow pan in a 300 degree F oven for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.&nbsp;

Then, he said, add one teaspoon of melted butter or margarine or cooking oil per one cup of seeds if they are to be eaten immediately. Stir to coat and then salt to taste.&nbsp;

Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining gardens and home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600307817651.jpeg" alt="Sunflowers should be harvested from mid-September into October. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Sunflowers should be harvested from mid-September into October. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN – Kansans’ pride in the&nbsp;sunflower&nbsp;goes well beyond their state’s catchy nickname.&nbsp;Along with their beauty,&nbsp;sunflowers can produce an abundance of flavorful seeds and nuts that bring the fun from the garden into the kitchen. Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said mid-September into October is the best time to harvest those seeds.&nbsp;“Seed heads can ripen right on the plant, but they will need protection from the birds,” Upham said. “Try covering the heads with a paper sack or cheesecloth once the petals start turning brown, then use a twist tie or rubber band to secure the covering.”&nbsp;Covering the plant’s head will not only keep the birds from stealing the harvest, it will also prevent the ripened seeds from dropping out of the head, according to Upham.&nbsp;He added that home gardeners can look for the following signs that seeds are mature:&nbsp;●Florets in the brown center of the flower disk are shriveled.●The head of the plant has turned downward.●The back side of the head is a lemon yellow color.&nbsp;“The ultimate check, of course, is to pull a few seeds to see if they have turned black with white stripes, which is the typical color,” Upham said. “Empty shells usually indicate a lack of pollination earlier in the year.&nbsp;“If the heads remain uncovered, harvest the seeds when they begin turning black and white. The flavor will not be as good as when the seeds are allowed to ripen on the plants, but you’ll lose fewer seeds.”&nbsp;When harvesting the&nbsp;sunflower, Upham suggests cutting the head of the plant and place it in a paper sack. “Some people prefer to cut the heads with about a foot of stem attached, then hanging them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area,” he said.&nbsp;Once the head is dry, Upham noted, seeds can easily be removed by rubbing gently on the surface of the head.&nbsp;Roasting&nbsp;sunflower&nbsp;seeds&nbsp;Upham’s advice for roasting&nbsp;sunflower&nbsp;seeds includes placing seeds in a pan and covering them with salted water – approximately two quarts of water to anywhere from ¼ to 2 cups of salt.&nbsp;Bring the water to a boil and simmer for two hours, or soak the seeds in the salt solution overnight. Drain and dry the seeds on absorbent paper.&nbsp;Once dried, the seeds can be cooked in a shallow pan in a 300 degree F oven for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.&nbsp;Then, he said, add one teaspoon of melted butter or margarine or cooking oil per one cup of seeds if they are to be eaten immediately. Stir to coat and then salt to taste.&nbsp;Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining gardens and home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

Begin to harvest sunflower seeds in mid-September 

PHILLIPS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Wednesday in Phillips County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Freightliner semi driven by Garry L. Thomas, 53, Beloit, was eastbound on Kansas 9 at East 500 Road.

The semi rear-ended a 2002 Kenworth semi driven by Darcie L.Vanallen, 57, Phillipsburg, that was slowing to&nbsp;&nbsp;make a left turn northbound onto E500 Road.

EMS transported&nbsp;Vanallen to the hospital in Phillipsburg. Thomas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

PHILLIPS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Wednesday in Phillips County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Freightliner semi driven by Garry L. Thomas, 53, Beloit, was eastbound on Kansas 9 at East 500 Road.The semi rear-ended a 2002 Kenworth semi driven by Darcie L.Vanallen, 57, Phillipsburg, that was slowing to&nbsp;&nbsp;make a left turn northbound onto E500 Road.EMS transported&nbsp;Vanallen to the hospital in Phillipsburg. Thomas was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kan. woman hospitalized after rear-end semi crash

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Wednesday.

Over the last week, we have seen large increases in the number of cases each day. These cases are ones that are from all types of exposures from gatherings, sports, educational facilities, travel outside of Saline County, as well as private businesses. We live in such a mobile and social society that when individuals do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, they also risk exposing others. We all have a responsibility to protect our families and community. Masks are just one part of the message to help slow the spread. Wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, avoid large gatherings, wear masks in public settings, practice social distancing.

There are 27 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, September 14 report. The total for the county is now 610, with 124 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 477 that have recovered, and a total of 9 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center reports that they have 4 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information:

• Mobile Device Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/yjPT1">https://arcg.is/yjPT1</a>

• Desktop Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/1qHnb0">https://arcg.is/1qHnb0</a>

According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 50,870 cases and 586 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.

Here is what you can do to help us to stop the spread:

• Stay home if you have any symptoms or are ill

• Wear masks in public spaces as required by City Ordinance and County Resolution

• Maximize physical distance (6 feet or more) in public settings

• Avoid socializing with large groups

• High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs

Only follow official sources to obtain information: <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600294084481.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Wednesday.Over the last week, we have seen large increases in the number of cases each day. These cases are ones that are from all types of exposures from gatherings, sports, educational facilities, travel outside of Saline County, as well as private businesses. We live in such a mobile and social society that when individuals do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, they also risk exposing others. We all have a responsibility to protect our families and community. Masks are just one part of the message to help slow the spread. Wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, avoid large gatherings, wear masks in public settings, practice social distancing.There are 27 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, September 14 report. The total for the county is now 610, with 124 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 477 that have recovered, and a total of 9 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center reports that they have 4 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information:• Mobile Device Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/yjPT1">https://arcg.is/yjPT1</a>• Desktop Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/1qHnb0">https://arcg.is/1qHnb0</a>According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 50,870 cases and 586 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.Here is what you can do to help us to stop the spread:• Stay home if you have any symptoms or are ill• Wear masks in public spaces as required by City Ordinance and County Resolution• Maximize physical distance (6 feet or more) in public settings• Avoid socializing with large groups• High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs• Wash your hands frequentlyOnly follow official sources to obtain information: <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>.

Saline County: 27 new COVID-19 cases; county total at 610 

A kindergarten teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School has been honored for going the extra yard.&nbsp; From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD305/">USD 305</a> Facebook page:

A kindergarten teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School has been honored for going the extra yard.&nbsp; From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD305/">USD 305</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUSD305%2Fposts%2F3297846336930501&show_text=true&width=552&height=849&appId" width="552" height="849" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Cottonwood teacher recognized for going the extra yard

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported two new confirmed cases of COVID-19, including one related to an outbreak at a local assisted living facility.

Following is the information about the new cases as provided by the health department.

Positive case No. 248 was identified late Tuesday and is a symptomatic male in his 80s with known exposure and is related to an outbreak at a local assisted living facility. Previous case 207, 223, and 243 are related to this outbreak. There are a number of other out-ofcounty positives included in this outbreak as well. More information will be released as it is received.

Positive case No. 249 is a symptomatic 18-year-old female with unknown exposure.

Of the 249 total confirmed cases, 227 have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines and two of the active cases are hospitalized, the health department noted.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported two new confirmed cases of COVID-19, including one related to an outbreak at a local assisted living facility.Following is the information about the new cases as provided by the health department.Positive case No. 248 was identified late Tuesday and is a symptomatic male in his 80s with known exposure and is related to an outbreak at a local assisted living facility. Previous case 207, 223, and 243 are related to this outbreak. There are a number of other out-ofcounty positives included in this outbreak as well. More information will be released as it is received.Positive case No. 249 is a symptomatic 18-year-old female with unknown exposure.Of the 249 total confirmed cases, 227 have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines and two of the active cases are hospitalized, the health department noted.

McPherson County: 2 new COVID-19 cases, 1 tied to facility outbreak

EMPORIA -- The William Allen White Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Awards will move to a virtual space for the 2020 celebration on Oct. 2.

"We truly want to make this year's celebration an inclusive event for as many schools as possible across the state," said Michelle Hammond, dean of ESU University Libraries and Archives, which organizes the WAW Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Awards.

The 2020 winners of the awards are two authors whose&nbsp;books speak to personal identity. Kansas schoolchildren in Grades 3 through 5 selected "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling, while students in Grades 6 through 8 selected "Restart" by Gordon Korman.

"Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" tell the story of Aven Green, a girl who was born without arms and is tired of answering questions about them. When her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown Western theme park in Arizona, Aven knows she will face more questions in her new home.

Aven's new adventure includes making friends with Connor, a classmate with his own disability, and together solving the mystery of a special room at Stagecoach Pass.

"Restart" is the story of Chase, a school bully who gets a do-over thanks to falling off the roof of his house. Because of amnesia, he doesn't remember more than his name. When he returns to school, he doesn't understand why the kids he wants to hang out with are scared of him.

Chase has to face not the question of who he is, but who he was - and who he wants to be now.

The first weekend in October is the traditional date to celebrate these awards. The event brings buses of schoolchildren from across the state, with those traveling the furthest arriving on Friday and spending the night.

For the 68th annual celebration, the COVID-19 pandemic with its limits on large gatherings and requirements for social distancing has provided an opportunity, Hammond said.

"This online environment could potentially provide us with a much greater reach," she said.

The William Allen White Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Award program began April 22, 1952, eight years after the famed journalist's death on Jan. 29, 1944 - Kansas Day. Emporia State University launched the William Allen White Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Award, which was guided by Ruth Garver Gagliardo, who was hired by White to write for The Emporia Gazette.

Passionate about&nbsp;books, Gagliardo wrote a regular column that commented on&nbsp;books, music and art, and often concentrated on&nbsp;books for children. She was one of the first to review children's&nbsp;books for a newspaper, which gave parents, teachers and librarians insights to quality&nbsp;books for children.

Gagliardo's column led to "The Children's&nbsp;Bookshelf," a&nbsp;book&nbsp;review column in the Kansas Teacher magazine. She also started the Children's Traveling&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Exhibit, which helped introduce children all over Kansas to good&nbsp;books for 23 years.

EMPORIA -- The William Allen White Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Awards will move to a virtual space for the 2020 celebration on Oct. 2."We truly want to make this year's celebration an inclusive event for as many schools as possible across the state," said Michelle Hammond, dean of ESU University Libraries and Archives, which organizes the WAW Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Awards.The 2020 winners of the awards are two authors whose&nbsp;books speak to personal identity. Kansas schoolchildren in Grades 3 through 5 selected "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling, while students in Grades 6 through 8 selected "Restart" by Gordon Korman.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600287641953.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" tell the story of Aven Green, a girl who was born without arms and is tired of answering questions about them. When her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown Western theme park in Arizona, Aven knows she will face more questions in her new home.Aven's new adventure includes making friends with Connor, a classmate with his own disability, and together solving the mystery of a special room at Stagecoach Pass.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600287715326.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Restart" is the story of Chase, a school bully who gets a do-over thanks to falling off the roof of his house. Because of amnesia, he doesn't remember more than his name. When he returns to school, he doesn't understand why the kids he wants to hang out with are scared of him.Chase has to face not the question of who he is, but who he was - and who he wants to be now.The first weekend in October is the traditional date to celebrate these awards. The event brings buses of schoolchildren from across the state, with those traveling the furthest arriving on Friday and spending the night.For the 68th annual celebration, the COVID-19 pandemic with its limits on large gatherings and requirements for social distancing has provided an opportunity, Hammond said."This online environment could potentially provide us with a much greater reach," she said.The William Allen White Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Award program began April 22, 1952, eight years after the famed journalist's death on Jan. 29, 1944 - Kansas Day. Emporia State University launched the William Allen White Children's&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Award, which was guided by Ruth Garver Gagliardo, who was hired by White to write for The Emporia Gazette.Passionate about&nbsp;books, Gagliardo wrote a regular column that commented on&nbsp;books, music and art, and often concentrated on&nbsp;books for children. She was one of the first to review children's&nbsp;books for a newspaper, which gave parents, teachers and librarians insights to quality&nbsp;books for children.Gagliardo's column led to "The Children's&nbsp;Bookshelf," a&nbsp;book&nbsp;review column in the Kansas Teacher magazine. She also started the Children's Traveling&nbsp;Book&nbsp;Exhibit, which helped introduce children all over Kansas to good&nbsp;books for 23 years.

Annual WAW Book Awards celebration will be virtual

Lott Implement, an AGCO dealer in Minneapolis, Kansas, is looking for a service technician. The duties include repairing combines, tractors, and hay equipment.

Lott Implement is looking for someone dependable and motivated, who has their own tools, an is able to get along well with others.

Immediate opening with pay based on experience. Contact Jeff at 785-392-3110 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jlott2522@att.net">jlott2522@att.net</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587062240402.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lott Implement, an AGCO dealer in Minneapolis, Kansas, is looking for a service technician. The duties include repairing combines, tractors, and hay equipment.Lott Implement is looking for someone dependable and motivated, who has their own tools, an is able to get along well with others.Immediate opening with pay based on experience. Contact Jeff at 785-392-3110 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jlott2522@att.net">jlott2522@att.net</a>.

FTC: Spot and stop dishonest charity fundraisers

Football season’s paying off big with Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory! Will you accept the challenge?

Throughout the season, Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory on Salina Post gives you the opportunity to win weekly prizes, including Kansas City Chiefs merchandise and even cash!

Just go to Salina Post to sign up and then make your picks each week. Select the team that you believe will be the winner of each pro football regular season and playoff game and predict the scores for the winning and losing team for the designated tie-breaker game each week. You may enter your picks and score predictions until five minutes before the start of each game.

To access Gridiron Glory,&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapostprofootball.upickem.net/#/registration/login?aff=%7b2faf61b4-146b-4f58-9440-c720c50463d7%7d">click here</a>.

In addition to the weekly prizes, you can accumulate points throughout the pro football season toward winning the local grand prize of $1,000 and a national grand prize of a trip to Hawaii!

But remember: You can't win if you don't play! Are you up to the challenge? Sign up for Anesthesia Associates'&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapostprofootball.upickem.net/#/registration/login?aff=%7b2faf61b4-146b-4f58-9440-c720c50463d7%7d">Gridiron Glory</a>&nbsp;today!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599153961730.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Football season’s paying off big with Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory! Will you accept the challenge?Throughout the season, Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory on Salina Post gives you the opportunity to win weekly prizes, including Kansas City Chiefs merchandise and even cash!Just go to Salina Post to sign up and then make your picks each week. Select the team that you believe will be the winner of each pro football regular season and playoff game and predict the scores for the winning and losing team for the designated tie-breaker game each week. You may enter your picks and score predictions until five minutes before the start of each game.To access Gridiron Glory,&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapostprofootball.upickem.net/#/registration/login?aff=%7b2faf61b4-146b-4f58-9440-c720c50463d7%7d">click here</a>.In addition to the weekly prizes, you can accumulate points throughout the pro football season toward winning the local grand prize of $1,000 and a national grand prize of a trip to Hawaii!But remember: You can't win if you don't play! Are you up to the challenge? Sign up for Anesthesia Associates'&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapostprofootball.upickem.net/#/registration/login?aff=%7b2faf61b4-146b-4f58-9440-c720c50463d7%7d">Gridiron Glory</a>&nbsp;today!

Gridiron Glory: Are you up to the challenge?

MANHATTAN – A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 44% of men and 57% of women older than 65 years take five or more medications per day.&nbsp;

Further, 12% take as many as 10 or more medications a week.&nbsp;

“Frankly, that’s a lot of people taking a lot of medications,” said Erin Yelland, an adult development and aging specialist with K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;

Yelland said managing medications can be a difficult task, so it’s particularly important that folks know why they’re taking any given medication, and that they take it properly.&nbsp;

“Doctors and pharmacists may not always explain things in depth to you,” she said. “So it’s important that you take the initiative to ask why you are taking a certain medication and ask how you should be taking it each day so you take it appropriately.&nbsp;

“It’s always up to the patient to ask the necessary questions and ensure you’re being proactive in your own health care.”&nbsp;

Health professionals are generally the best resource for decreasing the risk of taking medications that are not safe in conjunction with others. But to help them avoid unsafe combinations, Yelland said it’s important that the patient or a family member be well-versed in what they are currently taking.&nbsp;

“It is often times very helpful if you have someone you trust, such as an adult child, who can have access to your updated medication list,” she said. “If something happens to you, then there is someone else who understands what your medication list looks like and what drugs you’re taking. Your medication list is especially important to keep track of if you have multiple doctors or use multiple pharmacies.”&nbsp;

In addition, doctors and others can be helpful in guiding patients with medications that should be taken with food, or those that should not be taken if you are drinking alcohol.&nbsp;

“Some medications can make adults more sleepy or drowsy,” Yelland said. “That can increase the risk of falls, which is already an issue for older adults.”&nbsp;

She suggests carefully documenting every medication you are currently taking, and keeping a copy in your purse or wallet, and a copy at home. The list should be shared anytime you see a doctor or pharmacist.&nbsp;

Yelland also said it’s a good idea to use the same pharmacy and doctor, rather than shopping around regularly for the best price or service.&nbsp;

“When you keep the same health providers, the chances are they are going to know your complete medical history and the medications you use,” she said. “When you move around to different providers, the risk can start to increase that they might prescribe a medication that you should not be on.”&nbsp;

Pharmacists and doctors can help in providing advice on alternative medications or generic brands to lower the cost of the drugs you need.&nbsp;

Yelland also urged Kansans to consider working with their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension agent</a>, many of whom are trained to provide advice through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/commission-on-aging/medicare-programs/shick" target="_blank">Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans</a>&nbsp;(SHICK) program.&nbsp;

Local agents provide help for individuals enrolling in Medicare and in deciding which prescription plan is right for you.&nbsp;

“If you have that updated medication list, you can take that to your extension agent and ask what prescription plan is right for you based on the medications that you’re taking,” Yelland said.&nbsp;

Not every Kansas county offers SHICK counseling, she said, but local staff can guide interested persons to nearby help. Yelland said more information also is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.aging.k-state.edu/programs/index.html" target="_blank">available online from K-State Research and Extension’s adult development and aging program</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600268587740.jpeg" alt="Being proactive in managing your health includes keeping an updated list of prescription drugs you are taking. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Being proactive in managing your health includes keeping an updated list of prescription drugs you are taking. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN – A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 44% of men and 57% of women older than 65 years take five or more medications per day.&nbsp;Further, 12% take as many as 10 or more medications a week.&nbsp;“Frankly, that’s a lot of people taking a lot of medications,” said Erin Yelland, an adult development and aging specialist with K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;Yelland said managing medications can be a difficult task, so it’s particularly important that folks know why they’re taking any given medication, and that they take it properly.&nbsp;“Doctors and pharmacists may not always explain things in depth to you,” she said. “So it’s important that you take the initiative to ask why you are taking a certain medication and ask how you should be taking it each day so you take it appropriately.&nbsp;“It’s always up to the patient to ask the necessary questions and ensure you’re being proactive in your own health care.”&nbsp;Health professionals are generally the best resource for decreasing the risk of taking medications that are not safe in conjunction with others. But to help them avoid unsafe combinations, Yelland said it’s important that the patient or a family member be well-versed in what they are currently taking.&nbsp;“It is often times very helpful if you have someone you trust, such as an adult child, who can have access to your updated medication list,” she said. “If something happens to you, then there is someone else who understands what your medication list looks like and what drugs you’re taking. Your medication list is especially important to keep track of if you have multiple doctors or use multiple pharmacies.”&nbsp;In addition, doctors and others can be helpful in guiding patients with medications that should be taken with food, or those that should not be taken if you are drinking alcohol.&nbsp;“Some medications can make adults more sleepy or drowsy,” Yelland said. “That can increase the risk of falls, which is already an issue for older adults.”&nbsp;She suggests carefully documenting every medication you are currently taking, and keeping a copy in your purse or wallet, and a copy at home. The list should be shared anytime you see a doctor or pharmacist.&nbsp;Yelland also said it’s a good idea to use the same pharmacy and doctor, rather than shopping around regularly for the best price or service.&nbsp;“When you keep the same health providers, the chances are they are going to know your complete medical history and the medications you use,” she said. “When you move around to different providers, the risk can start to increase that they might prescribe a medication that you should not be on.”&nbsp;Pharmacists and doctors can help in providing advice on alternative medications or generic brands to lower the cost of the drugs you need.&nbsp;Yelland also urged Kansans to consider working with their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension agent</a>, many of whom are trained to provide advice through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/commission-on-aging/medicare-programs/shick" target="_blank">Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans</a>&nbsp;(SHICK) program.&nbsp;Local agents provide help for individuals enrolling in Medicare and in deciding which prescription plan is right for you.&nbsp;“If you have that updated medication list, you can take that to your extension agent and ask what prescription plan is right for you based on the medications that you’re taking,” Yelland said.&nbsp;Not every Kansas county offers SHICK counseling, she said, but local staff can guide interested persons to nearby help. Yelland said more information also is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.aging.k-state.edu/programs/index.html" target="_blank">available online from K-State Research and Extension’s adult development and aging program</a>.

Be proactive in managing medications, says K-State specialist

Police are investigating the theft of another motorcycle, this time in southwest Salina.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that a blue 2002 Kawasaki motorcycle with a dead battery and no tag was stolen from the owner's front yard in the 1200 block of Crescent Drive sometime between 10 a.m. on Monday and 8 a.m on Tuesday. The owner still has the keys to the motorcycle, Forrester noted.

The motorcycle was valued at $10,000, he added.

Police are investigating the theft of another motorcycle, this time in southwest Salina.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that a blue 2002 Kawasaki motorcycle with a dead battery and no tag was stolen from the owner's front yard in the 1200 block of Crescent Drive sometime between 10 a.m. on Monday and 8 a.m on Tuesday. The owner still has the keys to the motorcycle, Forrester noted.The motorcycle was valued at $10,000, he added.

Police investigating stolen motorcycle incident in southwest Salina

A Sunset Elementary School teacher has been selected to participate in country musician Jake Gill's Country Music Teacher Classroom Initiative (CMTCI).

Elisha Hampton, a first grade teacher at Sunset Elementary, is participating in the project that was developed to provide teachers throughout the United States with classroom supplies and project funds.

Teachers create a wish list of desired items for their classroom and project materials needed throughout the year.  This list is distributed weekly on social media as part of country musician Jake Gill’s ongoing initiative to serve children and now teachers throughout the US and the world.  Items can be purchased by anyone in the world and delivered directly to the selected teacher.

“I followed my other love and had a short career in law enforcement, but I still had a burning desire to teach children and to make a difference in the world. Teaching has always been a passion of mine since a young age. Even though my teachers were unaware of the pain that I hid as a child, they impacted my life immensely. They made me want to be a better person. I looked up to them and felt loved by them. They made me want to become a teacher, an advocate for children, a safe place, and a loving voice," Hampton said.

"I love teaching them, loving on them, learning from them, and I love watching them grow into their own little person. I hope that someday my students can look back and say that I impacted their lives like my teachers did mine," she continued.

In addition to classroom supplies and project funding, Hampton’s class will also receive a song writing session with Gill via personal visit or Zoom video.  Students will be able to select a topic of interest and together as a class, write a song that will be shared with their school and community.

Gill believes that song writing can help stimulate the creative dimensions of a child and provide a healthy emotional environment of expression.

“Song writing combines the therapeutic benefits of music with the creative release of bringing our thoughts to words. Today’s child is experiencing more stress and trauma daily, than in times before. To be able to express their thoughts and feelings in a healthy manner, is crucial to a thriving development,” Gill said.

Gill, a seven-year member of the Country Music Association founded the CMTCI after a series of life changing events in the early spring of 2020. It is his hope that teachers and classrooms all over the world can benefit from this program. To support Hamptom’s and her classroom please visit her <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YOQN4KXHLJ4H?ref_=wl_share">wish list</a>.

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1c7a27c8-792f-40cd-b548-f4bcee96be05">Local women trying to connect teachers with community help</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600260138962.jpeg" alt="Elisha Hampton. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Elisha Hampton. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A Sunset Elementary School teacher has been selected to participate in country musician Jake Gill's Country Music Teacher Classroom Initiative (CMTCI).Elisha Hampton, a first grade teacher at Sunset Elementary, is participating in the project that was developed to provide teachers throughout the United States with classroom supplies and project funds.Teachers create a wish list of desired items for their classroom and project materials needed throughout the year. This list is distributed weekly on social media as part of country musician Jake Gill’s ongoing initiative to serve children and now teachers throughout the US and the world. Items can be purchased by anyone in the world and delivered directly to the selected teacher.“I followed my other love and had a short career in law enforcement, but I still had a burning desire to teach children and to make a difference in the world. Teaching has always been a passion of mine since a young age. Even though my teachers were unaware of the pain that I hid as a child, they impacted my life immensely. They made me want to be a better person. I looked up to them and felt loved by them. They made me want to become a teacher, an advocate for children, a safe place, and a loving voice," Hampton said."I love teaching them, loving on them, learning from them, and I love watching them grow into their own little person. I hope that someday my students can look back and say that I impacted their lives like my teachers did mine," she continued.In addition to classroom supplies and project funding, Hampton’s class will also receive a song writing session with Gill via personal visit or Zoom video. Students will be able to select a topic of interest and together as a class, write a song that will be shared with their school and community.Gill believes that song writing can help stimulate the creative dimensions of a child and provide a healthy emotional environment of expression.“Song writing combines the therapeutic benefits of music with the creative release of bringing our thoughts to words. Today’s child is experiencing more stress and trauma daily, than in times before. To be able to express their thoughts and feelings in a healthy manner, is crucial to a thriving development,” Gill said.Gill, a seven-year member of the Country Music Association founded the CMTCI after a series of life changing events in the early spring of 2020. It is his hope that teachers and classrooms all over the world can benefit from this program. To support Hamptom’s and her classroom please visit her <a href="https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YOQN4KXHLJ4H?ref_=wl_share">wish list</a>.READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1c7a27c8-792f-40cd-b548-f4bcee96be05">Local women trying to connect teachers with community help</a>

Sunset teacher selected for Country Music Teacher Classroom Initiative

Trigard Concrete Products in Lindsborg is hiring for Service Technician and Construction help. This precast Concrete Manufacturing Company wants you to join their team today.

This position if full time with benefits.

· Must have a valid Drivers license, CDL a bonus, but not required

Competitive pay starting at $16.00 an hour.

Contact at 800-310-7099 or apply at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:trigard@nckcn.com">trigard@nckcn.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599827261798.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trigard Concrete Products in Lindsborg is hiring for Service Technician and Construction help. This precast Concrete Manufacturing Company wants you to join their team today.This position if full time with benefits.· Health insurance· IRA benefits· Vacation and sick leave· Must have a valid Drivers license, CDL a bonus, but not required· immediate openingCompetitive pay starting at $16.00 an hour.Experience preferred, but will train.Contact at 800-310-7099 or apply at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:trigard@nckcn.com">trigard@nckcn.com</a>.

KWU: New scholarship for students from adjoining counties

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau

September is the bridge between summer and fall. The sun’s angle is still high enough to provide plenty of warmth, but its light fades faster in the evening. Cottonwoods are already dropping golden leaves. Football seasons are underway even if tailgating is on hiatus for the year. And across Kansas, September is when fall harvest starts in earnest.

For those of us not working in the fields, the most visible sign of harvest will be combines, tractors, grain carts and other slow-moving implements on the road. Remember to be on the lookout for these vehicles. Take your time and pass only when it’s safe. Like you, farmers are anxious to be off the road and at their destination.

But for the next few weeks, the roads will be busy because unlike the mad dash to bring in wheat in early summer, fall harvest is a marathon.

Harvest started for Haskell County farmer Paige Clawson in August when corn silage was chopped. Clawson says they wrapped up their dryland corn harvest about a week before cold, wet weather brought everything to a halt.

“We’re hoping to get back in the field (this) week,” she says of the wait for irrigated corn to ripen. “The past few years we’ve had pretty phenomenal dryland corn, and I think this dryland corn would be an average to below average western Kansas dryland corn crop. Nothing to write home about.”

Clawson says she hasn’t seen the numbers on the final yields. “It was lower than I’d like to see but isn’t that always the answer.”

In south-central Kansas, Stafford County farmer Justin Vosburgh took advantage of the rain to prep his machinery to be in the fields in a week or so.

“I’m actually excited for this fall harvest,” Vosburgh says. “I think it’s one of the best dryland crops we will cut in Stafford, Edwards, Pawnee and Pratt counties in a long time. Irrigated looks good, too.”

Weather permitting, Vosburgh says he hopes to start harvest by mid-September and will spend the next six to eight weeks hauling in corn, milo and soybeans and planting next year’s wheat crop.

“Mother Nature plays a huge role,” he says. “Basically, from the 15th&nbsp;of September to the 31st&nbsp;of October, we’ll either be in the harvest field or we’ll be drilling wheat. It’s probably the busiest time of the year for us. A lot will happen.”

While the recent rains didn’t come in time to boost Clawson’s dryland corn, it did perk up the milo.

“You can tell where you rotated milo and had summer fallow and where you didn’t,” she says. “I think a couple recent rains have saved the crop that was going backward faster than we’d like to see.”

Both Vosburgh and Clawson say they haven’t really felt the effects of the pandemic on their farms.

“Probably my biggest fear right now is will COVID-19 cause us a problem,” Vosburgh says. “Will it cause us a problem at an elevator? Will they have employees get sick? Will we get shorthanded? Those are issues you think about.”

Clawson says the only difference she’s noticed is curbside pickup for parts and a few items on backorder.

“We’re just trying to stay on the farm and not go to town as often as we normally would,” she says.

The pandemic is just another in a long line of uncertainties in farming. Yet farmers and ranchers somehow always find a silver lining. With harvest delayed by rain, Clawson was already looking toward the future.

“It will be nice to put wheat into moisture after not putting it into moisture last year,” she says.

"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 © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering. Photo courtesy KFB" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering. Photo courtesy KFB</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm BureauSeptember is the bridge between summer and fall. The sun’s angle is still high enough to provide plenty of warmth, but its light fades faster in the evening. Cottonwoods are already dropping golden leaves. Football seasons are underway even if tailgating is on hiatus for the year. And across Kansas, September is when fall harvest starts in earnest.For those of us not working in the fields, the most visible sign of harvest will be combines, tractors, grain carts and other slow-moving implements on the road. Remember to be on the lookout for these vehicles. Take your time and pass only when it’s safe. Like you, farmers are anxious to be off the road and at their destination.But for the next few weeks, the roads will be busy because unlike the mad dash to bring in wheat in early summer, fall harvest is a marathon.Harvest started for Haskell County farmer Paige Clawson in August when corn silage was chopped. Clawson says they wrapped up their dryland corn harvest about a week before cold, wet weather brought everything to a halt.“We’re hoping to get back in the field (this) week,” she says of the wait for irrigated corn to ripen. “The past few years we’ve had pretty phenomenal dryland corn, and I think this dryland corn would be an average to below average western Kansas dryland corn crop. Nothing to write home about.”Clawson says she hasn’t seen the numbers on the final yields. “It was lower than I’d like to see but isn’t that always the answer.”In south-central Kansas, Stafford County farmer Justin Vosburgh took advantage of the rain to prep his machinery to be in the fields in a week or so.“I’m actually excited for this fall harvest,” Vosburgh says. “I think it’s one of the best dryland crops we will cut in Stafford, Edwards, Pawnee and Pratt counties in a long time. Irrigated looks good, too.”Weather permitting, Vosburgh says he hopes to start harvest by mid-September and will spend the next six to eight weeks hauling in corn, milo and soybeans and planting next year’s wheat crop.“Mother Nature plays a huge role,” he says. “Basically, from the 15th&nbsp;of September to the 31st&nbsp;of October, we’ll either be in the harvest field or we’ll be drilling wheat. It’s probably the busiest time of the year for us. A lot will happen.”While the recent rains didn’t come in time to boost Clawson’s dryland corn, it did perk up the milo.“You can tell where you rotated milo and had summer fallow and where you didn’t,” she says. “I think a couple recent rains have saved the crop that was going backward faster than we’d like to see.”Both Vosburgh and Clawson say they haven’t really felt the effects of the pandemic on their farms.“Probably my biggest fear right now is will COVID-19 cause us a problem,” Vosburgh says. “Will it cause us a problem at an elevator? Will they have employees get sick? Will we get shorthanded? Those are issues you think about.”Clawson says the only difference she’s noticed is curbside pickup for parts and a few items on backorder.“We’re just trying to stay on the farm and not go to town as often as we normally would,” she says.The pandemic is just another in a long line of uncertainties in farming. Yet farmers and ranchers somehow always find a silver lining. With harvest delayed by rain, Clawson was already looking toward the future.“It will be nice to put wheat into moisture after not putting it into moisture last year,” she says."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 © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

INSIGHT: The start of fall harvest

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 16, the 260th day of 2020. There are 106 days left in the year. 

On Sept. 16, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for Vietnam war deserters and draft-evaders. 

<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 Wednesday, Sept. 16, the 260th day of 2020. There are 106 days left in the year. Today's Highlights in History: On Sept. 16, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for Vietnam war deserters and draft-evaders. On this date: In 1630, the Massachusetts village of Shawmut changed its name to Boston.In 1810, Mexico began its revolt against Spanish rule. In 1966, the Metropolitan Opera officially opened its new opera house at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with the world premiere of Samuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra."In 1982, the massacre of between 1,200 and 1,400 Palestinian men, women and children at the hands of Israeli-allied Christian Phalange militiamen began in west Beirut's Sabra and Shatila refugee camps. In 1987, two dozen countries signed the Montreal Protocol, a treaty designed to save the Earth's ozone layer by calling on nations to reduce emissions of harmful chemicals by the year 2000. In 1994, a federal jury in Anchorage, Alaska, ordered Exxon Corp. to pay $5 billion in punitive damages for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (the U.S Supreme Court later reduced that amount to $507.5 million). Two astronauts from the space shuttle Discovery went on the first untethered spacewalk in ten years. In 2001, President George W. Bush, speaking on the South Lawn of the White House, said there was "no question" Osama bin Laden and his followers were the prime suspects in the Sept. 11 attacks; Bush pledged the government would "find them, get them running and hunt them down." In 2005, President George W. Bush ruled out raising taxes to pay the massive costs of Gulf Coast reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, saying other government spending had to be cut to pay for the recovery effort. In 2007, contractors for the U.S. security firm Blackwater USA guarding a U.S. State Department convoy in Baghdad opened fire on civilian vehicles, mistakenly believing they were under attack; 14 Iraqis died. O.J. Simpson was arrested in the alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors in Las Vegas. (Simpson was later convicted of kidnapping and armed robbery and sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison; he was released in 2017.) In 2009, Mary Travers, 72, part of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, died in Danbury, Connecticut. In 2013, Aaron Alexis, a former U.S. Navy reservist, went on a shooting rampage inside the Washington Navy Yard, killing 12 people before being shot dead by police. In 2014, President Barack Obama declared that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa could threaten security around the world and ordered 3,000 U.S. troops to the region in emergency aid muscle.Ten years ago: Pope Benedict XVI began a controversial state visit to Britain, acknowledging the Catholic Church had failed to act decisively or quickly enough to deal with priests who raped and molested children. The Seattle Storm completed their undefeated march through the postseason, beating the Atlanta Dream 87-84 for a three-game sweep in the WNBA finals. John "Jack" Goeken, founder of telecommunications giant MCI and father of air-to-ground telephone communications, died in Joliet, Illinois, at age 80.Five years ago: Eleven Republican presidential candidates debated at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, wrangling over immigration, gay marriage and foreign affairs. Baton-wielding Hungarian riot police unleashed tear gas and water cannons against hundreds of migrants after they broke through a razor-wire fence and tried to surge into the country from Serbia. Country singer Sturgill Simpson and singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, both eclectic genre-bending artists, took home top honors at the Americana Honors and Awards show in Nashville.One year ago: More than 49,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike against General Motors, bringing more than 50 factories and parts warehouses to a standstill. (The strike ended after 40 days when workers ratified a new contract.) "Saturday Night Live" said it had rescinded its invitation to Shane Gillis to join the cast; he was found to have posted a video in which he used a racial slur for Chinese people. The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would undergo surgery on his right elbow, ending the 37-year-old quarterback's 16th NFL season just two weeks in. Former television newsman Sander Vanocur died in California at the age of 91; he'd been a questioner at the first Kennedy/Nixon debate in 1960.Today's Birthdays: Actor Janis Paige is 98. Actor George Chakiris is 88. Bluesman Billy Boy Arnold is 85. Movie director Jim McBride is 79. Actor Linda Miller is 78. Rhythm-and-blues singer Betty Kelley (Martha &amp; the Vandellas) is 76. Musician Kenney Jones (Small Faces; Faces; The Who) is 72. Actor Susan Ruttan is 72. Rock musician Ron Blair (Tom Petty &amp; the Heartbreakers; Mudcrutch) is 72. Actor Ed Begley Jr. is 71. Country singer David Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers) is 70. Country singer-songwriter Phil Lee is 69. Actor Mickey Rourke is 68. Actor-comedian Lenny Clarke is 67. Actor Kurt Fuller is 67. Jazz musician Earl Klugh is 67. Actor Christopher Rich is 67. TV personality Mark McEwen is 66. Baseball Hall of Famer Robin Yount is 65. Magician David Copperfield is 64. Country singer-songwriter Terry McBride is 62. Actor Jennifer Tilly is 62. Retired MLB All-Star pitcher Orel Hershiser is 62. Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Raines is 61. Actor Jayne Brook is 60. Singer Richard Marx is 57. Comedian Molly Shannon is 56. Singer Marc Anthony is 52. News anchor/talk show host Tamron Hall is 50. Comedian-actor Amy Poehler is 49. Actor Toks Olagundoye is 45. Country singer Matt Stillwell is 45. Singer Musiq is 43. Actor Michael Mosley is 42. Rapper Flo Rida is 41. Actor Alexis Bledel is 39. Actor Sabrina Bryan is 36. Actor Madeline Zima is 35. Actor Ian Harding is 34. Actor Kyla Pratt is 34. Actor Daren Kagasoff is 33. Rock singer Teddy Geiger is 32. Actor-dancer Bailey De Young is 31. Rock singer-musician Nick Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 28. Actor Elena Kampouris is 23.