Polling places in Kansas are 
required by law to be open, but this year's primary and general 
elections might see fewer in-person votes and more by mail. The latter 
is a safe and convenient option in the time of coronavirus, but comes 
with its own costs and challenges.

By DANIEL CAUDILL, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-03/protecting-voters-from-covid-19-will-cost-kansas-counties-extra">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA — Thousands of Reno County voters usually cast
 their ballots at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, a central 
location with a high capacity.

Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager
 said it’ll look different for this year’s August primary and November 
general election to avoid spreading the coronavirus. How different, 
though, she’s not sure.

“We’d have to consult emergency management and our health department and just, kind of, do the best we can,” she said.

Fager
 is one of dozens of county election officials in Kansas preparing for 
two possibly unusual elections — and an expected surge in voting by 
mail. Kansas law requires polling places to be open on election days, so
 counties are looking to stock up on disinfectants and protective gear. 
And unlike neighboring Missouri, voters in Kansas don’t have to have a 
specific excuse to request a mail-in ballot.

Though mail-in voting might be a safe and convenient option for voters, it also comes with its own costs and challenges.

“The
 cost of envelopes, paper ballots, and postage will likely be 
significantly more than we budgeted for those purposes,” said Marion 
County Clerk Tina Spencer, who oversees elections for the county’s more 
than 7,500 voters and eight polling places.

Spencer said the 
county election board will also likely have to meet once or twice per 
week in the weeks leading up to election day to process the additional 
advance ballots.

Johnson County officials are shipping 
vote-by-mail applications directly to all registered voters. Election 
Commissioner Connie Schmidt said she hopes that will help prevent 
overcrowding or long lines at polling places.

“We won’t be able to have as many voting machines in some of the locations as we’ve had in the past,” she <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article242261896.html" target="_blank">told The Kansas City Star</a>. “They will have to be spread out. That’s another reason why we’re encouraging people to vote by mail this time.”

It’s difficult to estimate what it would take for the entire state to run elections by mail.

“Elections
 in Kansas are conducted at the county level, and depending on the 
election, the ballot length, ballot weight and a number of other 
factors,” said Joanna Dolan, principal research analyst at the Kansas 
Legislative Research Department, “costs could vary from county to county
 and election to election.”

Sending applications to its more than 
400,000 registered voters will cost Johnson County an estimated 
$120,000. They’re hoping they’ll be reimbursed with federal funds, which
 were made available through the CARES Act. Of the $400 million 
nationally, Kansas will receive just under $4 million, Kansas Secretary 
of State Scott Schwab said.

That money will help cover safety 
measures for polling places, like hand sanitizer, disinfectants and 
protective gear, as well as the additional postage and processing that’s
 expected with extra mail-in ballots.

The funds will also reimburse counties who have already incurred some of those expenses. Fager said Reno County secured protective gear and other materials for its polling places through local resources.

“We’re just kind of doing that on our own right now,” she said, “instead of depending on the state.”

With
 only two polling places and about 10,000 registered voters, 
preparations in western Kansas’ Seward County won’t be quite as 
cumbersome as others. The county is also fortunate that a 2002 
resolution allows county employees to work polls, all but guaranteeing 
ample workers.

“We have several county employees who volunteer to 
assist during elections, which makes recruiting experienced workers much
 easier,” Seward County Clerk Stacia Long said.

For counties needing help, Kansas is launching a statewide campaign to recruit poll workers, especially young ones.

“You
 can be 16, 17 years old and still volunteer as a poll board worker,” 
Schwab said. “My son doesn’t know it yet, but my 16-year-olds will be 
working at the poll in the primary this year.”

Sedgwick County 
Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman said that after multiple asks, only
 228 of nearly 2,000 current and former poll workers have agreed to work
 the elections.

Sedgwick and Johnson counties are the state’s two most populous, representing nearly 40% of <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voterreg.asp" target="_blank">registered voters</a>.
 Lehman said they’re forming similar contingency plans, like moving 
election-worker training online. And Sedgwick County will follow Johnson
 County’s lead in sending applications to active registered voters.

“We believe it is crucial that we work together to provide the best options to our voters moving forward,” she said.

Ahead
 of Georgia’s presidential primary in June, state election officials 
mailed almost 7 million mail-in voting applications to registered 
voters. Like what’s currently expected to happen in Kansas, polls will 
still be open, but officials want to limit how many people vote in 
person.

Schwab said his office is not currently planning to mail 
anything to voters statewide, and would rather leave the decision up to 
each county.

“If the state did one and the county did one, you’re 
going to have some duplication and you’re going to increase confusion,” 
he said.

He said it’s unclear at this point how many Kansans will 
vote by mail in the upcoming elections, but that will become apparent as
 applications start to come in this summer.

Schwab said the state is also looking at drive-thru voting, which <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article241912941.html" target="_blank">Missouri</a> hopes to implement for its municipal elections in June.

“I’m
 a believer of (having) every opportunity and every way possible to vote
 that you can,” he said, “as opposed to a unilateral — you can only vote
 this way and no other way.”

Daniel Caudill is a Statehouse intern for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/bydanielcaudill" target="_blank"> @byDanielCaudill</a>.
 The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public 
Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and 
well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588600227252.png" alt="A Kansas polling place in November 2018. Kansas News Service file photo" />
 <figcaption>A Kansas polling place in November 2018. Kansas News Service file photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Polling places in Kansas are 
required by law to be open, but this year's primary and general 
elections might see fewer in-person votes and more by mail. The latter 
is a safe and convenient option in the time of coronavirus, but comes 
with its own costs and challenges.</h2>By DANIEL CAUDILL, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-03/protecting-voters-from-covid-19-will-cost-kansas-counties-extra">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA — Thousands of Reno County voters usually cast
 their ballots at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, a central 
location with a high capacity.Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager
 said it’ll look different for this year’s August primary and November 
general election to avoid spreading the coronavirus. How different, 
though, she’s not sure.“We’d have to consult emergency management and our health department and just, kind of, do the best we can,” she said.Fager
 is one of dozens of county election officials in Kansas preparing for 
two possibly unusual elections — and an expected surge in voting by 
mail. Kansas law requires polling places to be open on election days, so
 counties are looking to stock up on disinfectants and protective gear. 
And unlike neighboring Missouri, voters in Kansas don’t have to have a 
specific excuse to request a mail-in ballot.Though mail-in voting might be a safe and convenient option for voters, it also comes with its own costs and challenges.“The
 cost of envelopes, paper ballots, and postage will likely be 
significantly more than we budgeted for those purposes,” said Marion 
County Clerk Tina Spencer, who oversees elections for the county’s more 
than 7,500 voters and eight polling places.Spencer said the 
county election board will also likely have to meet once or twice per 
week in the weeks leading up to election day to process the additional 
advance ballots.Johnson County officials are shipping 
vote-by-mail applications directly to all registered voters. Election 
Commissioner Connie Schmidt said she hopes that will help prevent 
overcrowding or long lines at polling places.“We won’t be able to have as many voting machines in some of the locations as we’ve had in the past,” she <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article242261896.html" target="_blank">told The Kansas City Star</a>. “They will have to be spread out. That’s another reason why we’re encouraging people to vote by mail this time.”It’s difficult to estimate what it would take for the entire state to run elections by mail.“Elections
 in Kansas are conducted at the county level, and depending on the 
election, the ballot length, ballot weight and a number of other 
factors,” said Joanna Dolan, principal research analyst at the Kansas 
Legislative Research Department, “costs could vary from county to county
 and election to election.”Sending applications to its more than 
400,000 registered voters will cost Johnson County an estimated 
$120,000. They’re hoping they’ll be reimbursed with federal funds, which
 were made available through the CARES Act. Of the $400 million 
nationally, Kansas will receive just under $4 million, Kansas Secretary 
of State Scott Schwab said.That money will help cover safety 
measures for polling places, like hand sanitizer, disinfectants and 
protective gear, as well as the additional postage and processing that’s
 expected with extra mail-in ballots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588600298363.png" alt="Kansas News Service file photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas News Service file photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Costs, approaches vary by county</h2>The funds will also reimburse counties who have already incurred some of those expenses. Fager said Reno County secured protective gear and other materials for its polling places through local resources.“We’re just kind of doing that on our own right now,” she said, “instead of depending on the state.”With
 only two polling places and about 10,000 registered voters, 
preparations in western Kansas’ Seward County won’t be quite as 
cumbersome as others. The county is also fortunate that a 2002 
resolution allows county employees to work polls, all but guaranteeing 
ample workers.“We have several county employees who volunteer to 
assist during elections, which makes recruiting experienced workers much
 easier,” Seward County Clerk Stacia Long said.For counties needing help, Kansas is launching a statewide campaign to recruit poll workers, especially young ones.“You
 can be 16, 17 years old and still volunteer as a poll board worker,” 
Schwab said. “My son doesn’t know it yet, but my 16-year-olds will be 
working at the poll in the primary this year.”Sedgwick County 
Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman said that after multiple asks, only
 228 of nearly 2,000 current and former poll workers have agreed to work
 the elections.Sedgwick and Johnson counties are the state’s two most populous, representing nearly 40% of <a href="https://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voterreg.asp" target="_blank">registered voters</a>.
 Lehman said they’re forming similar contingency plans, like moving 
election-worker training online. And Sedgwick County will follow Johnson
 County’s lead in sending applications to active registered voters.“We believe it is crucial that we work together to provide the best options to our voters moving forward,” she said.Ahead
 of Georgia’s presidential primary in June, state election officials 
mailed almost 7 million mail-in voting applications to registered 
voters. Like what’s currently expected to happen in Kansas, polls will 
still be open, but officials want to limit how many people vote in 
person.Schwab said his office is not currently planning to mail 
anything to voters statewide, and would rather leave the decision up to 
each county.“If the state did one and the county did one, you’re 
going to have some duplication and you’re going to increase confusion,” 
he said.He said it’s unclear at this point how many Kansans will 
vote by mail in the upcoming elections, but that will become apparent as
 applications start to come in this summer.Schwab said the state is also looking at drive-thru voting, which <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/article241912941.html" target="_blank">Missouri</a> hopes to implement for its municipal elections in June.“I’m
 a believer of (having) every opportunity and every way possible to vote
 that you can,” he said, “as opposed to a unilateral — you can only vote
 this way and no other way.”Daniel Caudill is a Statehouse intern for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/bydanielcaudill" target="_blank"> @byDanielCaudill</a>.
 The Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public 
Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on the health and 
well-being of Kansans, their communities and civic life.

Protecting Kan. voters from COVID-19 will be costly for counties

Yes, government and us folks who hang out under the Dome had heard the group of university economists called the Consensus Revenue Estimate Group (CRE) estimate just what the state’s revenues are going to be for the next 14 months, the end of this fiscal year and the year that starts July 1.

And when those CRE estimates predict millions of dollars of revenue shortfalls they are usually due to tax cuts, but not often a change in the entire landscape of the state, businesses shutting down, Kansans ordered to stay at their homes unless they had to grocery shop or pick up prescriptions or something “essential.”

Those CRE estimates were just that – estimates.

Well, Friday at about noon the Kansas Department of Revenue released its report on just how much in taxes the state received in April – first month of the real social and economic thunderstorm caused by the coronavirus pandemic – and those economists were right with their April 20, semi-annual estimate. Chillingly right.

Nearly every tax source that the state depends on to provide the services we all want from our state, ranging from highways to law enforcement to prisons to education for our children and the relatively grown-up university students, and social services so the poor have the food and housing and health-care that we want them to have, was shaken.

That Friday shockwave showed that the state took in $574.8 million in taxes in April. Last year in April, before all the economic effects of the pandemic, Kansas took in $1.18 billion. Yes, billion. That’s $612 million less this April than last. That shook the building. It meant that the economists, who we suppose spend most of their time reading the small type in the Wall Street Journal and economic newsletters, actually had the clear view of just what Kansans staying at home, closing nonessential businesses, seeing thousands of layoffs, having their tax payments delayed, would cause.

That put a whole new dollars-and-cents face on the coronavirus, and its effect on the economy and the state budget that is now law that is likely to be about $1.2 billion short of what it was based on when it was passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in March. Again, before the fiscal effects of the virus had been translated into dollars and cents.

Now, it’s waiting to see just how the Legislature responds to that shockwave, which has both fiscal and political fallout for Kansas where every member of the Legislature stands for re-election this year.

The GOP-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council will meet this week to decide whether to reconvene lawmakers – with a myriad of social-distancing issues that will probably make it as uncomfortable as a bad prom date – to deal with the real dollars and cents of the budget.

And you gotta wonder how many Kansas voters are going to see the real numbers and decide if the people who don’t want to fix it now will be going back to the&nbsp; Legislature next session.

Will legislative leaders decide in the wake of those hard-dollar April revenue losses that they can’t delay until next January the fiscal problems that will lead to an unconstitutional budget deficit? Or will they decide it is still too dangerous to convene a mass of legislators from across the state? Or will voters want this budget fire controlled now, before a possible second-round of economic damage to the state if the pandemic spikes this fall?

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver" />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTIN HAWVERFriday was shocking in the Statehouse.Yes, government and us folks who hang out under the Dome had heard the group of university economists called the Consensus Revenue Estimate Group (CRE) estimate just what the state’s revenues are going to be for the next 14 months, the end of this fiscal year and the year that starts July 1.And when those CRE estimates predict millions of dollars of revenue shortfalls they are usually due to tax cuts, but not often a change in the entire landscape of the state, businesses shutting down, Kansans ordered to stay at their homes unless they had to grocery shop or pick up prescriptions or something “essential.”Those CRE estimates were just that – estimates.Well, Friday at about noon the Kansas Department of Revenue released its report on just how much in taxes the state received in April – first month of the real social and economic thunderstorm caused by the coronavirus pandemic – and those economists were right with their April 20, semi-annual estimate. Chillingly right.Nearly every tax source that the state depends on to provide the services we all want from our state, ranging from highways to law enforcement to prisons to education for our children and the relatively grown-up university students, and social services so the poor have the food and housing and health-care that we want them to have, was shaken.That Friday shockwave showed that the state took in $574.8 million in taxes in April. Last year in April, before all the economic effects of the pandemic, Kansas took in $1.18 billion. Yes, billion. That’s $612 million less this April than last. That shook the building. It meant that the economists, who we suppose spend most of their time reading the small type in the Wall Street Journal and economic newsletters, actually had the clear view of just what Kansans staying at home, closing nonessential businesses, seeing thousands of layoffs, having their tax payments delayed, would cause.That put a whole new dollars-and-cents face on the coronavirus, and its effect on the economy and the state budget that is now law that is likely to be about $1.2 billion short of what it was based on when it was passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in March. Again, before the fiscal effects of the virus had been translated into dollars and cents.Now, it’s waiting to see just how the Legislature responds to that shockwave, which has both fiscal and political fallout for Kansas where every member of the Legislature stands for re-election this year.The GOP-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council will meet this week to decide whether to reconvene lawmakers – with a myriad of social-distancing issues that will probably make it as uncomfortable as a bad prom date – to deal with the real dollars and cents of the budget.And you gotta wonder how many Kansas voters are going to see the real numbers and decide if the people who don’t want to fix it now will be going back to the&nbsp; Legislature next session.Will legislative leaders decide in the wake of those hard-dollar April revenue losses that they can’t delay until next January the fiscal problems that will lead to an unconstitutional budget deficit? Or will they decide it is still too dangerous to convene a mass of legislators from across the state? Or will voters want this budget fire controlled now, before a possible second-round of economic damage to the state if the pandemic spikes this fall?Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>.

At the Rail: The real dollars and cents of the state budget

OCCK, Inc. is currently seeking a dedicated, compassionate, conscientious, self-motivated individual to work with adults who have disabilities. Direct Support Professional support customers in home environments and the community to establish positive routines, and for the enhancement of daily living skills. This educator/instructor will provide support and guidance in a mentor-style relationship for the achievement of individual goals. On the job training and certifications are provided.

Apply online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.occk.com/" target="_blank">www.occk.com</a>&nbsp;and learn more about our mission and great benefits

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576544829259.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OCCK, Inc. is currently seeking a dedicated, compassionate, conscientious, self-motivated individual to work with adults who have disabilities. Direct Support Professional support customers in home environments and the community to establish positive routines, and for the enhancement of daily living skills. This educator/instructor will provide support and guidance in a mentor-style relationship for the achievement of individual goals. On the job training and certifications are provided.Apply online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.occk.com/" target="_blank">www.occk.com</a>&nbsp;and learn more about our mission and great benefitsEOEDrug testing required

Today in History -- May 5

TOPEKA -- Austin Jensen, of Salina, is one of six Washburn University students to be awarded the Esta Morgan Scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. 

This scholarship is awarded to deserving Washburn students studying in the education department.

Washburn University awards millions of dollars in scholarships each year. Scholarships are based on student interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success. In addition to admissions and specialized scholarships, academic departments across Washburn offer a wide array of scholarship opportunities for new and continuing students.&nbsp;

TOPEKA -- Austin Jensen, of Salina, is one of six Washburn University students to be awarded the Esta Morgan Scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. This scholarship is awarded to deserving Washburn students studying in the education department.Washburn University awards millions of dollars in scholarships each year. Scholarships are based on student interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success. In addition to admissions and specialized scholarships, academic departments across Washburn offer a wide array of scholarship opportunities for new and continuing students.&nbsp;

Salina's Jensen receives Morgan Scholarship

MCPHERSON -- McPherson County remains at 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the Monday update from the McPherson County Health Department.

The latest confirmed case, which was reported Saturday, is a female in her 50s with an unknow exposure who is hospitalized, the health department reported.

Of the 23 confirmed cases, 16 have met recovery guidelines set forth by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Two of the 23 remain hospitalized, the health department noted.

MCPHERSON -- McPherson County remains at 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the Monday update from the McPherson County Health Department.The latest confirmed case, which was reported Saturday, is a female in her 50s with an unknow exposure who is hospitalized, the health department reported.Of the 23 confirmed cases, 16 have met recovery guidelines set forth by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Two of the 23 remain hospitalized, the health department noted.

McPherson County holding at 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases

The Saline County Commission will begin transitioning its meetings back to their regular format, beginning with Tuesday's meeting.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street. 

There will be limited public seating for the meeting. Up to 10 members of the public will be accommodated on a first-come, first-seated basis in overflow seating adjacent to the commission meeting room and up to two members of the public at a time will be permitted to line up to provide public comment. Interested persons also can view the meeting via Salina Media Connection, either on Cox Cable Channel 20 or online at <a href="http://www.salinatv.org">www.salinatv.org</a>.

In addition, interested persons can provide public comment by dialing (785) 521-0800, entering participant code 782955 followed by #, and then dialing *9 to alert the moderator that they wish to comment. Please note that although commissioners will be able to hear comments, people may have difficulty hearing commission business through the telephone bridge.

The following action items are on the Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday.

•Consider a request to award a bid for a marked SUV for the sheriff's office. Captain Jim Hughes is scheduled to make the presentation.

•Consider a service agreement for decontamination of N95 respirators. Michelle Barkley, emergency management director, is scheduled to make the presentation.

•Consider a Kansas Department of Transportation agreement for emergency relief funds. County Engineer Justin Mader is scheduled to make the presentation.

•Consider a bid award for a mower deck. Darren Fishel, road and bridge administrator, is scheduled to make the presentation.

Additionally, Fishel is scheduled to provide a road and bridge update.

County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes also is scheduled to provide his weekly update.

To see the meeting packet (a 67-page pdf, <a href="https://www.saline.org/Portals/0/Content/Commissioners/Documents/Agenda/Current/20200505.pdf?ver=2020-05-01-155151-230">click here</a>.

The Saline County Commission will begin transitioning its meetings back to their regular format, beginning with Tuesday's meeting.Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street. There will be limited public seating for the meeting. Up to 10 members of the public will be accommodated on a first-come, first-seated basis in overflow seating adjacent to the commission meeting room and up to two members of the public at a time will be permitted to line up to provide public comment. Interested persons also can view the meeting via Salina Media Connection, either on Cox Cable Channel 20 or online at <a href="http://www.salinatv.org">www.salinatv.org</a>.In addition, interested persons can provide public comment by dialing (785) 521-0800, entering participant code 782955 followed by #, and then dialing *9 to alert the moderator that they wish to comment. Please note that although commissioners will be able to hear comments, people may have difficulty hearing commission business through the telephone bridge.The following action items are on the Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday.•Consider a request to award a bid for a marked SUV for the sheriff's office. Captain Jim Hughes is scheduled to make the presentation.•Consider a service agreement for decontamination of N95 respirators. Michelle Barkley, emergency management director, is scheduled to make the presentation.•Consider a Kansas Department of Transportation agreement for emergency relief funds. County Engineer Justin Mader is scheduled to make the presentation.•Consider a bid award for a mower deck. Darren Fishel, road and bridge administrator, is scheduled to make the presentation.Additionally, Fishel is scheduled to provide a road and bridge update.County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes also is scheduled to provide his weekly update.To see the meeting packet (a 67-page pdf, <a href="https://www.saline.org/Portals/0/Content/Commissioners/Documents/Agenda/Current/20200505.pdf?ver=2020-05-01-155151-230">click here</a>.

Limited number of public allowed at county meeting

MANHATTAN – It is probably natural for humans to wonder how life will be different as communities begin to emerge from the recent surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That notion causes Kansas State University youth development specialist Elaine Johannes to think of ... a rubber band.

“When we think about resilience,” she said, “a lot of us use the analogy of a rubber band. It’s stretched, it’s functional and it holds things in place. But, it also has the ability to bounce back to regain its original size and shape.”

It is, in a word, resilient. And Johannes said she believes the hardships that many people are facing – whether they be financial, emotional or otherwise – could help make them more hardy as they, too, return to some form of their pre-pandemic lives.

“Adversity, stress or strain are just some things we live with and we anticipate in life,” said Johannes, who is also an associate professor in K-State’s College of Health and Human Sciences. “We can’t really avoid those things. But resilience is that approach or style or mental mindset that allows us to buffer the bad effects of adversity and stress.”

Just a few years ago, Johannes conducted research with families who were struggling with the effects of poverty.

“We were able to interview those families to ask how they were coping with their situation and the resiliency skills they used to persist,” she said.

The K-State researchers talked to the mothers in the family about how they were communicating with their children about the family’s hardships. They talked to teenagers in the family about what they were learning from the experience.

The research focused on hardiness, which Johannes said is “a quality of being resilient. Being hardy means knowing that things can be tough and there are challenges we will face in our life, yet being committed to moving past them.”

The results? “The moms showed hardiness,” Johannes said. “When the family had a challenge, they talked openly with their teens about it. They also talked about the control they felt they had when they were budgeting and deciding what to pay for and what they couldn’t afford.

“But mostly what we learned was that their hardiness came out of the commitment they had to their child and the family, and the commitment that things would improve.”

Johannes added the teenagers said they became hardier because they learned from their parents, who talked about tough times and who showed commitment to getting through them.

“Being resilient isn’t about taking away tough times, but it is going through them and learning from them that really counts,” Johannes said. “That’s what helps us move into adulthood and to thrive.”

The same lessons can be learned and growth achieved from living during a global pandemic. Johannes cites work from George Everly, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, who defines resilience as a result of three factors:

“We don’t really know what lies ahead of us,” Johannes said. “But when we think about getting through the COVID-19 response now … the more that adults can demonstrate how to be resilient, the better it will be for them individually and for their families.”

Johannes said more information on building resilience is available online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/familyresiliency" target="_blank">University of Wisconsin extension system</a>. She also encouraged interested persons to look at online materials relating to resilience&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience" target="_blank">from the American Psychological Association.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588637299166.jpeg" alt="Rubber bands illustration courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://pixabay.com/users/hrohmann-848687/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=885876">Hans Rohmann</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=885876">Pixabay</a>" />
 <figcaption>Rubber bands illustration courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://pixabay.com/users/hrohmann-848687/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=885876">Hans Rohmann</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=885876">Pixabay</a></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN – It is probably natural for humans to wonder how life will be different as communities begin to emerge from the recent surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.That notion causes Kansas State University youth development specialist Elaine Johannes to think of ... a rubber band.“When we think about resilience,” she said, “a lot of us use the analogy of a rubber band. It’s stretched, it’s functional and it holds things in place. But, it also has the ability to bounce back to regain its original size and shape.”It is, in a word, resilient. And Johannes said she believes the hardships that many people are facing – whether they be financial, emotional or otherwise – could help make them more hardy as they, too, return to some form of their pre-pandemic lives.“Adversity, stress or strain are just some things we live with and we anticipate in life,” said Johannes, who is also an associate professor in K-State’s College of Health and Human Sciences. “We can’t really avoid those things. But resilience is that approach or style or mental mindset that allows us to buffer the bad effects of adversity and stress.”Just a few years ago, Johannes conducted research with families who were struggling with the effects of poverty.“We were able to interview those families to ask how they were coping with their situation and the resiliency skills they used to persist,” she said.The K-State researchers talked to the mothers in the family about how they were communicating with their children about the family’s hardships. They talked to teenagers in the family about what they were learning from the experience.The research focused on hardiness, which Johannes said is “a quality of being resilient. Being hardy means knowing that things can be tough and there are challenges we will face in our life, yet being committed to moving past them.”The results? “The moms showed hardiness,” Johannes said. “When the family had a challenge, they talked openly with their teens about it. They also talked about the control they felt they had when they were budgeting and deciding what to pay for and what they couldn’t afford.“But mostly what we learned was that their hardiness came out of the commitment they had to their child and the family, and the commitment that things would improve.”Johannes added the teenagers said they became hardier because they learned from their parents, who talked about tough times and who showed commitment to getting through them.“Being resilient isn’t about taking away tough times, but it is going through them and learning from them that really counts,” Johannes said. “That’s what helps us move into adulthood and to thrive.”The same lessons can be learned and growth achieved from living during a global pandemic. Johannes cites work from George Everly, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, who defines resilience as a result of three factors:<ol>
 <li>Resistance, or finding ways to withstand stressors that are part of our lives. “The question we should ask ourselves is what are we doing now, individually, to build resilience knowing that things may get rough during our lifespan,” Johannes said, adding that our resistance to stress can be a result of being connected to family, friends, services and resources that help us maintain a positive mindset through tough times.</li><li>Resilience,&nbsp;which relates to having the ability to rebound from adversity or crisis. “That requires us to be physically and mentally healthy,” Johannes said. “We need to be eating well, sleeping well and staying mentally engaged.”</li><li>Recovery,&nbsp;or a feeling of regaining some sense of the control we thought we had before a crisis occurred. This may include using available resources, such as family, friends or professional help.</li>
 </ol>“We don’t really know what lies ahead of us,” Johannes said. “But when we think about getting through the COVID-19 response now … the more that adults can demonstrate how to be resilient, the better it will be for them individually and for their families.”Johannes said more information on building resilience is available online through the&nbsp;<a href="https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/familyresiliency" target="_blank">University of Wisconsin extension system</a>. She also encouraged interested persons to look at online materials relating to resilience&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience" target="_blank">from the American Psychological Association.</a>

Learning from tough times builds more hardy individuals, families

Here is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Monday:

The Saline County Health Department does not have any additional cases of COVID-19 to report today.

At 11 am, KDHE reported the following in their daily release:

•A total of 5,245 positive cases and 136 deaths. That is an increase of 215 positive cases from yesterday’s release.

•33,358 negative tests have been received through the KDHE and private labs.

•The age range is 0 years to 99 years (median 43 years of age).

We will continue to do all that we can to avoid any setbacks during this reopening process. Here are some things that you can do to help:

•Maximize physical distances (6 ft. or more) in public settings.

•Utilize online or mail in services to conduct business.

•Avoid socializing with large groups.

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

•The Kansas Department of Agriculture released a public survey asking consumers about their shopping practices and preferences seeking feedback from Kansas consumers on what they are looking for and how KDA can help with finding local foods. Any Kansas resident is eligible and encouraged to take the survey at: <a href="http://surveymonkey.com/r/KS-consumers">surveymonkey.com/r/KS-consumers</a>.

Help our community in slowing the spread of this virus. Only follow official sources to obtain information: www.saline.org/coronavirus or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay at Home.

Here is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Monday:The Saline County Health Department does not have any additional cases of COVID-19 to report today.At 11 am, KDHE reported the following in their daily release:•A total of 5,245 positive cases and 136 deaths. That is an increase of 215 positive cases from yesterday’s release.•33,358 negative tests have been received through the KDHE and private labs.•The age range is 0 years to 99 years (median 43 years of age).We will continue to do all that we can to avoid any setbacks during this reopening process. Here are some things that you can do to help:•Stay home if you’re sick.•Wear masks in public settings.•Maximize physical distances (6 ft. or more) in public settings.•Utilize online or mail in services to conduct business.•Avoid socializing with large groups.•High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs.•Minimize nonessential travel.•Wash your hands frequently.Announcements:•The Kansas Department of Agriculture released a public survey asking consumers about their shopping practices and preferences seeking feedback from Kansas consumers on what they are looking for and how KDA can help with finding local foods. Any Kansas resident is eligible and encouraged to take the survey at: <a href="http://surveymonkey.com/r/KS-consumers">surveymonkey.com/r/KS-consumers</a>.Help our community in slowing the spread of this virus. Only follow official sources to obtain information: www.saline.org/coronavirus or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay at Home.

Saline County remains at 21 confirmed COVID-19 cases

On this May the 4th, pay heed to the reminder from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KHPTroopC/">Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C</a> Facebook page:

On this May the 4th, pay heed to the reminder from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KHPTroopC/">Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKHPTroopC%2Fposts%2F2611712232477304&width=500" width="500" height="363" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

KHP Troop C offers May the 4th reminder

A Salina woman was cited for inattentive driving after a three-vehicle accident Friday afternoon.

Shannon Trimmell, 50, of Salina, was eastbound on East Magnolia Road in a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at approximately 1:10 p.m. Friday, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported. Trimmell reached for something in the passenger seat and when she looked up, she was unable to stop and ran into the back of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra driven by Susan Leidig, 56, of Salina, that was stopped at the light at the intersection of East Magnolia Road and South Ohio Street, he explained. That collision forced the Elantra into the back of a 2007 Buick Lucerne driven by Emma Brady, 17, of Salina, that also was stopped at the light, he added.

A 72-year-old male in the Elantra complained of neck pain and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center by EMS, Forrester noted. No other injuries were reported.

The Lucerne had two passengers, a 13-year-old female and a 14-year-old female, he added.

All three vehicles were damaged, but were removed from the scene by their owners, Forrester reported.

According to Forrester, Trimmell was cited for inattentive driving and Leidig was cited for no proof of insurance.

A Salina woman was cited for inattentive driving after a three-vehicle accident Friday afternoon.Shannon Trimmell, 50, of Salina, was eastbound on East Magnolia Road in a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu at approximately 1:10 p.m. Friday, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported. Trimmell reached for something in the passenger seat and when she looked up, she was unable to stop and ran into the back of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra driven by Susan Leidig, 56, of Salina, that was stopped at the light at the intersection of East Magnolia Road and South Ohio Street, he explained. That collision forced the Elantra into the back of a 2007 Buick Lucerne driven by Emma Brady, 17, of Salina, that also was stopped at the light, he added.A 72-year-old male in the Elantra complained of neck pain and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center by EMS, Forrester noted. No other injuries were reported.The Lucerne had two passengers, a 13-year-old female and a 14-year-old female, he added.All three vehicles were damaged, but were removed from the scene by their owners, Forrester reported.According to Forrester, Trimmell was cited for inattentive driving and Leidig was cited for no proof of insurance.

Salina woman cited after three-vehicle accident Friday

Arrests have been made in connection to the burglary at The Arena late last month.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that surveillance video showed an older white male entering The Arena, 427 South Broadway Boulevard, at approximately 12:32 a.m. on Thursday. The subject was wearing a Harley Davidson cap, a black shirt with writing on it, and blue jeans, Forrester noted.

According to Forrester, the owner of The Arena told police that numerous items were stolen, including sports jerseys valued at $2,500, trading cards valued at $200, a Cannon digital camera valued at $100, a Lou Gehrig signed baseball valued at $30, $200 in currency, and the blue bank bag valued at $5. 

On Saturday, an officer on patrol in the 800 block of South Broadway Boulevard made contact with Ronald Moore, 54, of Salina, who matched the description of the subject in the surveillance video, however the officer was called away and released Moore, Forrester explained. Officers later went to Moore's residence in the 500 block of West Walnut and made contact with Moore and his roommate, Eric Hale, 33, of Salina, Forrester noted. Hale was found to have a probation violation warrant from Saline County and was arrested, Forrester added.

Forrester explained that a search warrant was executed at the residence and numerous items from The Arena were located, including additional items not reported stolen originally. Those additional items include, six mini baseball bats, two silver dollars, and an additional jersey for an additional $751 loss, Forrester noted. Also during the search, several items of illegal narcotics were located, he added.

While securing the residence for the search warrant, additional subjects were located: John Vogel, 29, of Salina, and Brittani McGaha, 28, of Salina, Forrester noted.

Based on items found at the residence, the following charges were requested, Forrester reported.

Ronald Moore: Burglary, theft, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

Eric Hale: Possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of stolen property.

John Vogel: Possession of methamphetamine and possession of  paraphernalia.

Brittani McGaha: Possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos of Vogel and McGaha were not available at the time this story was published.

Arrests have been made in connection to the burglary at The Arena late last month.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that surveillance video showed an older white male entering The Arena, 427 South Broadway Boulevard, at approximately 12:32 a.m. on Thursday. The subject was wearing a Harley Davidson cap, a black shirt with writing on it, and blue jeans, Forrester noted.According to Forrester, the owner of The Arena told police that numerous items were stolen, including sports jerseys valued at $2,500, trading cards valued at $200, a Cannon digital camera valued at $100, a Lou Gehrig signed baseball valued at $30, $200 in currency, and the blue bank bag valued at $5. On Saturday, an officer on patrol in the 800 block of South Broadway Boulevard made contact with Ronald Moore, 54, of Salina, who matched the description of the subject in the surveillance video, however the officer was called away and released Moore, Forrester explained. Officers later went to Moore's residence in the 500 block of West Walnut and made contact with Moore and his roommate, Eric Hale, 33, of Salina, Forrester noted. Hale was found to have a probation violation warrant from Saline County and was arrested, Forrester added.Forrester explained that a search warrant was executed at the residence and numerous items from The Arena were located, including additional items not reported stolen originally. Those additional items include, six mini baseball bats, two silver dollars, and an additional jersey for an additional $751 loss, Forrester noted. Also during the search, several items of illegal narcotics were located, he added.While securing the residence for the search warrant, additional subjects were located: John Vogel, 29, of Salina, and Brittani McGaha, 28, of Salina, Forrester noted.Based on items found at the residence, the following charges were requested, Forrester reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588511656018.jpeg" alt="Ronald Moore. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Ronald Moore. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Ronald Moore: Burglary, theft, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588511401146.jpeg" alt="Eric Hale.&nbsp;Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Eric Hale.&nbsp;Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Eric Hale: Possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of stolen property.John Vogel: Possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.Brittani McGaha: Possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos of Vogel and McGaha were not available at the time this story was published.

Arrests made in connection to burglary last week at The Arena

A Salina man was arrested early Sunday after a single-vehicle rollover accident on Old Highway 40.

The accident occurred at approximately 5 a.m. Sunday near the intersection with North Marymount Road, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning.

According to Soldan, Wesley Spragg, 38, of Salina, was westbound on Old Highway 40 in a 1997 Mazda B 2300 pickup. As Spragg approached the North Marymount Road intersection, he began driving on the shoulder, then overcorrected, crossing the highway, and rolling into the south ditch, Soldan said.

Spragg left the scene on foot, but was located by deputies nearby and was arrested on suspicion of the following, Soldan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588605832499.jpeg" alt="The Mazda B 2300 pickup driven by Spragg. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The Mazda B 2300 pickup driven by Spragg. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A Salina man was arrested early Sunday after a single-vehicle rollover accident on Old Highway 40.The accident occurred at approximately 5 a.m. Sunday near the intersection with North Marymount Road, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning.According to Soldan, Wesley Spragg, 38, of Salina, was westbound on Old Highway 40 in a 1997 Mazda B 2300 pickup. As Spragg approached the North Marymount Road intersection, he began driving on the shoulder, then overcorrected, crossing the highway, and rolling into the south ditch, Soldan said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588599673055.jpeg" alt="Wesley Spragg. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Wesley Spragg. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Spragg left the scene on foot, but was located by deputies nearby and was arrested on suspicion of the following, Soldan said.Felony DUIDriving while suspendedPossession of marijuanaPossession of paraphernaliaLeaving the scene of an accidentObstruction

Salina man arrested after early Sunday rollover

LINCOLN -- The top of the Lincoln County Courthouse was on fire for a brief period of time this morning. 

The fire appears to have been caused by a lightning strike from a thunderstorm that moved through the area, though no official word on the cause of the fire has been given.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588603343240.jpeg" alt="Fire damage can be seen on the roof of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Photo and video courtesy&nbsp; the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Get-Lincoln-174420252605090/">Get Lincoln</a> Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>Fire damage can be seen on the roof of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Photo and video courtesy&nbsp; the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Get-Lincoln-174420252605090/">Get Lincoln</a> Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN -- The top of the Lincoln County Courthouse was on fire for a brief period of time this morning. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F174420252605090%2Fvideos%2F3445043782217846%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="382" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The fire appears to have been caused by a lightning strike from a thunderstorm that moved through the area, though no official word on the cause of the fire has been given.

📹 Lincoln County Courthouse briefly on fire Monday

UPDATE : No counties in our area remain in the watch.

Early morning thunderstorms swept through the area, bringing with them wind, hail, and heavy rain.

A severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for a large part of Kansas, but was allowed to expire before noon for all of the counties in our area.

Rainfall totals varied in the Salina area, with 0.26 of an inch being recorded at the Salina Regional Airport, one-half inch in north central Salina, and 0.35 of an inch in southeast Salina. Hail ranging from quarter-sized to baseball sized was reported in Salina, eastern Saline County, and Abilene.&nbsp;

UPDATE : No counties in our area remain in the watch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588601740461.jpeg" alt="The storm rolling into the Bennington area earlier this morning, looking west near the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and Kansas Highway 18. Photo courtesy Larry Adam" />
 <figcaption>The storm rolling into the Bennington area earlier this morning, looking west near the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and Kansas Highway 18. Photo courtesy Larry Adam</figcaption>
 </figure>Early morning thunderstorms swept through the area, bringing with them wind, hail, and heavy rain.A severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for a large part of Kansas, but was allowed to expire before noon for all of the counties in our area.Rainfall totals varied in the Salina area, with 0.26 of an inch being recorded at the Salina Regional Airport, one-half inch in north central Salina, and 0.35 of an inch in southeast Salina. Hail ranging from quarter-sized to baseball sized was reported in Salina, eastern Saline County, and Abilene.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Morning thunderstorm brings hail, heavy rain

TOPEKA&nbsp;— A pair of Kansas Wesleyan students were among those honored with scholarships by the Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF) earlier this week. The scholarships were awarded to juniors Janell Fellers and Rebekah Morris.

Each nominated student had to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, their future career goals and why they chose an independent institution for their higher education. A panel of nine judges made the final selections.

Fellers, an education major from Assaria, received a $1,000 scholarship entitled the Better Life Degree Completion Award, while Morris, who is majoring in secondary education and mathematics, was tabbed for a $500 scholarship billed for Future Leaders in Education.

"I am truly grateful for the nomination that provided the opportunity to apply for the Future Leaders in Education Scholarship, as well as the assistance that KWU staff members happily provided for me in polishing and submitting my materials," Coffeyville native Morris offered. "Since transferring to KWU, I have continued to grow in knowledge, experiences and as an individual due to opportunities that the university has granted me."

"I am extremely grateful to be recognized and honored with one of the Green &amp; Gold Scholarships," said Fellers. "I owe it all to my professors and instructors that have guided me to be the best I can be, and to my husband and two children that have loved and supported me along the way. Thank you, Kansas Independent College Foundation."

For more information regarding the KICA, please visit <a href="http://kscolleges.org">kscolleges.org</a>.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;— A pair of Kansas Wesleyan students were among those honored with scholarships by the Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF) earlier this week. The scholarships were awarded to juniors Janell Fellers and Rebekah Morris.Each nominated student had to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, their future career goals and why they chose an independent institution for their higher education. A panel of nine judges made the final selections.Fellers, an education major from Assaria, received a $1,000 scholarship entitled the Better Life Degree Completion Award, while Morris, who is majoring in secondary education and mathematics, was tabbed for a $500 scholarship billed for Future Leaders in Education."I am truly grateful for the nomination that provided the opportunity to apply for the Future Leaders in Education Scholarship, as well as the assistance that KWU staff members happily provided for me in polishing and submitting my materials," Coffeyville native Morris offered. "Since transferring to KWU, I have continued to grow in knowledge, experiences and as an individual due to opportunities that the university has granted me.""I am extremely grateful to be recognized and honored with one of the Green &amp; Gold Scholarships," said Fellers. "I owe it all to my professors and instructors that have guided me to be the best I can be, and to my husband and two children that have loved and supported me along the way. Thank you, Kansas Independent College Foundation."For more information regarding the KICA, please visit <a href="http://kscolleges.org">kscolleges.org</a>.&nbsp;

Pair of KWU students earn KICF Scholarships



When the President asserted that he had the total power to make decisions on how we handle the coronavirus pandemic, he got immediate pushback from a wide array of conservatives, including Senator Marco Rubio who tweeted: “The Constitution &amp; common sense dictates these decisions be made at the state level.”

Rubio was correct. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution is short and clear: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Managing pandemics is not in the Constitution and therefore falls to the states to manage. There are associated responsibilities when it comes to national security and managing certain situations that extend across state borders. The federal ability to command industry to provide critical production is one such exception.

The far-more-devastating Flu of 1918 that originated in Kansas and spread worldwide via troop transport while we were in World War I, was nearly completely managed by states. There was a logic then and it persists now. Some states are heavily rural and residents are spaced far apart. Other states are primarily urban, with citizens stacked on top of each other. And the outbreaks and fatalities reflect these differences. Strategies that are essential for the densely populated areas may not be necessary in the wilderness.

Any attempt to impose a federal one-size-fits-all strategy on this pandemic would have been foolish. It would also have been immediately challenged as unconstitutional. Actual management of this pandemic rests with each state.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Unfortunately, this outburst of opposition did not happen when another action was unleashed that likewise violated the 10th Amendment: No Child Left Behind.

Education is not mentioned in the Constitution either. It therefore is solidly and exclusively a state responsibility. The vast majority of funding for public schools comes from state and local taxes. The education section of the earlier federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare was primarily an agency that gathered statistics. When some federal monies were allocated for special education and certain Title programs, they were allocated as block grants. Education remains a “state’s right.” The Feds have no authority to establish a national curriculum; indeed they are expressly prohibited from doing so.

So it was unfortunate when a bipartisan alliance pushed the federal No Child Left Behind version of ESEA into classrooms. Since the federal government has no direct authority to determine standards, etc., they achieved control by making federal aid contingent upon following NCLB. In simple terms, it was extortion. Still today, many state superintendents, commissioners or state education boards feel that they are merely a state agency for implementing federal directives in education. But they are in total control. And yes, they could face the loss of federal funding that makes up a small but important portion of their budget.

Teaching students in rural areas, rich suburbs and urban areas is quite different. Teachers who grew up on a farm do not relate well when teaching in rich suburban schools. And teachers who grew up in rich suburbs are fairly lost when trying to teach in rural schools. Yet the federal education standards are essentially uniform. —The same problem faced by imposing a single nationwide pandemic strategy.

And some teacher groups have even lobbied for a national teacher certification system, claiming they are a profession just like medicine and law. If they had done their homework, they would have discovered that bar exams and medical boards are state exams. —Not in the Constitution!

Just as addressing this pandemic is primarily a state responsibility, so is education. It is past time to close down the federal Department of Education. And we must fund state education at a higher level. Because education is not just “a” state responsibility, it is THE primary responsibility of each state. &nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 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 SCHROCK

When the President asserted that he had the total power to make decisions on how we handle the coronavirus pandemic, he got immediate pushback from a wide array of conservatives, including Senator Marco Rubio who tweeted: “The Constitution &amp; common sense dictates these decisions be made at the state level.”Rubio was correct. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution is short and clear: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Managing pandemics is not in the Constitution and therefore falls to the states to manage. There are associated responsibilities when it comes to national security and managing certain situations that extend across state borders. The federal ability to command industry to provide critical production is one such exception.The far-more-devastating Flu of 1918 that originated in Kansas and spread worldwide via troop transport while we were in World War I, was nearly completely managed by states. There was a logic then and it persists now. Some states are heavily rural and residents are spaced far apart. Other states are primarily urban, with citizens stacked on top of each other. And the outbreaks and fatalities reflect these differences. Strategies that are essential for the densely populated areas may not be necessary in the wilderness.Any attempt to impose a federal one-size-fits-all strategy on this pandemic would have been foolish. It would also have been immediately challenged as unconstitutional. Actual management of this pandemic rests with each state.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Unfortunately, this outburst of opposition did not happen when another action was unleashed that likewise violated the 10th Amendment: No Child Left Behind.Education is not mentioned in the Constitution either. It therefore is solidly and exclusively a state responsibility. The vast majority of funding for public schools comes from state and local taxes. The education section of the earlier federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare was primarily an agency that gathered statistics. When some federal monies were allocated for special education and certain Title programs, they were allocated as block grants. Education remains a “state’s right.” The Feds have no authority to establish a national curriculum; indeed they are expressly prohibited from doing so.So it was unfortunate when a bipartisan alliance pushed the federal No Child Left Behind version of ESEA into classrooms. Since the federal government has no direct authority to determine standards, etc., they achieved control by making federal aid contingent upon following NCLB. In simple terms, it was extortion. Still today, many state superintendents, commissioners or state education boards feel that they are merely a state agency for implementing federal directives in education. But they are in total control. And yes, they could face the loss of federal funding that makes up a small but important portion of their budget.Teaching students in rural areas, rich suburbs and urban areas is quite different. Teachers who grew up on a farm do not relate well when teaching in rich suburban schools. And teachers who grew up in rich suburbs are fairly lost when trying to teach in rural schools. Yet the federal education standards are essentially uniform. —The same problem faced by imposing a single nationwide pandemic strategy.And some teacher groups have even lobbied for a national teacher certification system, claiming they are a profession just like medicine and law. If they had done their homework, they would have discovered that bar exams and medical boards are state exams. —Not in the Constitution!Just as addressing this pandemic is primarily a state responsibility, so is education. It is past time to close down the federal Department of Education. And we must fund state education at a higher level. Because education is not just “a” state responsibility, it is THE primary responsibility of each state. &nbsp;John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

Ed. Frontlines: 10th Amendment and state responsibilities

Commodities through the Emergency Food Assistance Program are scheduled to be distributed next week in Salina.

The distribution, which will once again be picked up on a drive-thru basis, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon May 13 at the 4-H Building, 900 Greeley Avenue, in Kenwood Park.

Items scheduled to be distributed include peanut butter, apricots, egg noodles, peaches, cheddar cheese, apples, egg mix, oranges, split peas, cherries, pecan halves, applesauce, orange juice, and potatoes.

Participants are required to have with them proof of income, a photo ID or proof of a Saline County address and a signed note if picking up commodities for someone else.

1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1,354

2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1,832

3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,311

4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,790

5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,269

Commodities through the Emergency Food Assistance Program are scheduled to be distributed next week in Salina.The distribution, which will once again be picked up on a drive-thru basis, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon May 13 at the 4-H Building, 900 Greeley Avenue, in Kenwood Park.Items scheduled to be distributed include peanut butter, apricots, egg noodles, peaches, cheddar cheese, apples, egg mix, oranges, split peas, cherries, pecan halves, applesauce, orange juice, and potatoes.Participants are required to have with them proof of income, a photo ID or proof of a Saline County address and a signed note if picking up commodities for someone else.Household size&nbsp; &nbsp; Income1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1,3542&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1,8323&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,3114&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,7905&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,2696&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,748 7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4,2278&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4,705For each additional family member add $479.Contact commodities phone 785-714-0918 with questions. The program is hosted by Sunrise Presbyterian Church.

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